Ninjutsu (忍術), often translated as “the art of stealth” or “the art of endurance,” is a traditional Japanese martial art that originated among the shinobi (ninja) of feudal Japan. It was developed as a comprehensive system of espionage, survival, and unorthodox warfare, designed to give practitioners the ability to overcome stronger or more numerous opponents through strategy, adaptability, and deception. Ninjutsu is not a conventional Martial Art. The Martial Arts that the Shinobi practiced was Bujutsu.

Bujutsu (武術) translates to “the martial arts of the warrior” and represents the classical combat systems developed by the samurai of Japan. Unlike modern martial arts that focus on sport or competition, Bujutsu was created for real battlefield application, emphasizing efficiency, control, and precision.

Modern "Taijutsu” Martial systems that draw from classical Japanese schools (ryūha) may share some similarities to Ninjutsu, are not a complete ninjutsu systems in the historical sense. In Japan Today, there is only one person referred to as the “Last Ninja” and that is Jinichi Kawakami. Jinichi Kawakami is the Head of the Banke Shinobinoden, the 21st head (sōke) of the Kōga (Koka)Ban family ninja lineage (Banke). He is also honorary director of the Iga‑ryū Ninja Museum, and in 2011 was appointed a professor at Mie University’s research-cooperation center to study Ninjutsu.

 Godfrey Knowles

https://www.gtkmartialartsacademy.com/


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