Ninjutsu is the traditional fighting art of the Japanese ninja, a cult of assassins who operated during during the period of Warring Kingdoms. Like many other Japanese martial arts, it has become popular in the United States. Combat training in ninjutsu is different from many of the "harder" Japanese" styles in that it emphasizes evasion rather than meeting your attacker with superior conditioning and force.
Pre-fight Training
One hallmark of ninjutsu combat training is that the self-defense techniques do not begin with the first physical attack. Ninjutsu students learn to recognize trouble before it fully starts, then to avoid or de-escalate the situation before real violence begins. The also learn to watch for PINS, or Pre-Incident iNdicatorS, small tells that reliably show that a person has aggressive intent. Some traditional schools still teach stealth techniques that allow a practitioner to hide via camouflage and moving quietly.
Trickery and Evasion
When dealing with an attacker in ninjutsu, psychological warfare is as important as physical self-defense. One tactic common in ninjutsu training is seeming afraid when threatened. If you beg, cry and demonstrate passive body language, many attackers will be caught off guard by your first attack. According to martial arts teacher and historian Dave Coffman, this tactic is especially important when confronted with a weapon.
Bone Manipulation
Also called koppojutsu or hopposjutsu, bone manipulation is the practice of using an attacker's skeletal structure against him. By lining up joints and bones at specific angles, you can immobilize or even break those bones. Many bone manipulation techniques allow either option -- you can immobilize an attacker, then choose to break a bone if he doesn't surrender. Common targets for ninjutsu bone manipulation include the ulna, radius, elbow, shoulder, and all the bones of the wrist and hand. Many of these techniques are similar to the "joint locks" taught in aikido and jujutsu.
Similar Arts
Ninjutsu, though better known than some other arts, is not yet taught in all major western cities -- to say nothing of smaller towns. If you can't find ninjutsu classes, consider other similar arts based on which parts of ninjutsu appeal to you. The joint locks and bone manipulation are common to aikido, jujutsu, Brazilian jujutsu and judo. The strikes and kicks taught in ninjutsu resemble those of koshu-ryu and kenpo more than they do those of karate or tae kwon do. Evasion and deception training can be found in combatives and police self-defense classes.
References
- Ninpo.org: Ninjutsu Information
- Dave Coffman; Martial Arts Instructor; Hillsboro, OR
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