History of Shinobi
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(Originally Published at Ninjutsusociety & Bujinkan)
The history of Ninjutsu is stepped in myth and superstition. The origins of some aspects within this art are still under debate in a few circles around the world. The very nature of the art makes it hard to find early records dealing with it. As part of tradition, Ninjutsu was not recorded on paper. Rather it was passed down verbally from teacher to student for over 800 years. This was due partly to the need for protecting their identities from the upper ruling classes of the period.
Only within the past few hundred years has the art started to be documented. In this time over seventy “Ninjutsu ryu” (school/families) have been catalogued/identified. A majority of which have died out or evolved into a new art. Some systems have adapted and changed. Some have become arts that are today known as something completely different. This has led to much debate over the authenticity of some lesser known Ninjutsu ryu. There is still much debate over the number of true ryu remaining.
Most of the known Ninjutsu families and practitioners originated in the Iga/Koga (Modern Mie/Omi) regions of Japan. The Terrain of the Iga/Koga regions was largely unexplored. Inhabitants lived a relatively isolated life. Most of the families in this region were farmers and craftsmen of various types. People inside as well as outside this region kept records, some of these records refer to the individuals/families now recognized as Ninja/Ninjutsu families as “Iga/Koga no Bushi” (Warriors of Iga/Koga) and “Iga/Koga no Mono” (Men of Iga/Koga). This relatively isolated existence freed them from the oppressive “mainstream” society of the period, also enabling them to cultivate views that were otherwise not given the same chance to develop elsewhere in Japan.
Gradually over time, direct influences of the upper ruling classes crept into the Iga/Koga regions. This slow wave of influences eventually caused political and social unrest. These differences in perspective also created turmoil in the ruling classes of the middle to late 1500’s, ultimately leading to the invasion and destruction of communities in both the Iga and Koga regions of ancient Japan. Facing outnumbering samurai forces, the inhabitants started to create the art we now know as Ninjutsu. Due to this the “Iga/Koga no Bushi” (Warriors of Iga/Koga) and “Iga/Koga no Mono” (Men of Iga/Koga) were forced into fighting for their lives. They were known to use the superstitions of society and social groups around them as a tool/weapon. As a result they became feared and shrouded in a veil of shadows and myth.
The term “Ninja” was not in use until the Tokugawa period (1605–1867). This is also the period in which the stereotypical image of the “Ninja” started to take shape. This image was unfortunately a somewhat negative one. Ninja were made out to be the bad guys (“assassins without honor who used their cunning and stealth to kill anyone for a cost”) this was not a common practice. Unfortunately within all groups there are a few that do go bad. This is what people saw when they looked at the Ninja. This view of the Ninja was and still is to this day most always totally inaccurate.
Though completely inaccurate, this image was what the western culture was introduced to in the mid 1980’s. Ninja were the scapegoats for movies, comics and books for years to follow. With new lines of communication opening due to TV, Internet and commercial travel people in all parts of the world are beginning to see Ninjutsu for what it is. Traditionally Ninjutsu practitioners follow strict codes of conduct. This code is called Ninpo. Modern practitioners of Ninjutsu follow Ninpo as well as Bushido.
Kunoichi (Female Ninja)
Kunoichi, meaning a female ninja, supposedly came from the characters くノ一 (pronounced ku, no and ichi), which make up the three strokes that form the kanji for “woman” (女). A lot of Kunoichi or female Ninja were used during a long period of history. Kunoichi also took important parts in Ninja families or clans of feudal Japan.
Chiyome Mochizuki, the wife of Shogun Moritoki Mochizukija, founded one of the widest network of female Ninja agents during the province wars in Japan. Chijome organized her operatives to be guardians of temples, altars and sanctuaries, and they were called Mikko. They could move freely all over the country and had access to many places, because the community respected them at that time, and they didn’t draw to much attention.
Aspiring to gain valuable information’s, politicians in power and participants of battles for power, often confided such tasks that the Ninja couldn’t complete, to Kunoichi. Assignments where it was necessary to use female intuition and that had to be done at places where women could easily get in without the fear that someone could suspect why they are there, were confided to Kunocihi. They often used their charms as Concubines and Geisha to gain various information's and if necessary or the assignment required they would kill or mutilate enemy commander or person in power.
There were missions of espionage nature or ordered hits, which only the Kunoichi could complete, because of the advantages of her gender, and where men had no chance of success. There was a saying in feudal Japan that there was no castle guarded well enough that the Kunoichi couldn’t enter.
However, female Ninja were also trained in almost complete training like the male Ninja. They also had to go through long and exhausting training's, physical and mental preparations. But tactical and psychological training's were emphasized more, so that they could manipulate the enemy.
The education of Kunoichi was concentrated on small weapons for close combat and use. So they were masters of Yagen (pharmacy and making poisons, various potions and herbs and drugs), Kayaku jutsu (making and setting up fires and the use of explosives), Bo ryaku (strategy), Inton jutsu (evasive techniques, techniques of hiding and camouflage), Shinobi iri (techniques of stealth movement and ways of breaking and entering), Tanto jutsu (techniques of using knife/dagger), Shiruken jutsu (the art of throwing blades and missiles), etc. A lot less attention was paid to large weapons such as swords, spears, sticks, although that was not rare too.
However, to cover up her actions, Kunoichi was also taught the techniques of dancing, singing, playing instruments, the tea ceremony and more.
Some of the weapons specifically used by Kunoichi were needles which were usually put into the hair to hold it up, but in a certain moment they could be swiftly pulled out and stabbed into the victims body. Such needles were usually covered with strong poisons that could cause instant death. Another Kunoichi weapon were Neko-te, the claws that were put on the fingers and were used to scratch the victims. Most of their physical abilities they used only as a last resort, in self defense, applying attack techniues without hesitation and in combination with psychology and surprise factor.
Ren Shu and Ninja
The Ren Shu, also known as Foshin Lin Qui, translation of Lin Qui literally means ‘Forest Demons’, were an ancient clan that operated in Southern china many hundred of years ago. This individual clan’s past and history was shrouded in mystery until now. The true Ren Shu were farmers that resided in the deep parts of the forests around 587. Some of the farmers were masters in different self defense systems. The villages were attacked by solders, thugs and bandits etc. the farmers came together and designed a self defense system like no other. The art never got a name from its founders. The name Lin Qui (Kuei) came from the bandits and solders of Emperor Wen of Sui (541–604), personal name Yang Jian, was the founder and first emperor of China’s Sui Dynasty.
During China’s Sui Dynasty (Hanyu Pinyin: suí cháo, 581–618) followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China. The Tang Dynasty (pinyin: tángcháo) (June 18, 618 — June 4, 907) followed the Sui Dynasty and preceded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. The dynasty was interrupted by the Second Zhou Dynasty (October 16, 690 — March 3, 705) when Empress Wu Zetian seized the throne. The dynasty was founded by the Li family..
It ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes some of the Lin Qui traveled to other parts of Asia, Japan and Korea to teach their secret arts and ways to the local villagers. The Lin Qui broke up in to two main groups. Over the years, many of these methods were used and were incorporated into the art of Ninjutsu, also called shinobi no jutsu, is a collection of techniques originally practiced for espionage purposes. It includes methods of gathering information, non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection techniques. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, and explosives.
Practitioners of Ninjutsu have been seen as assassins for hire, and have been associated in the public imagination with other activities which are considered criminal by modern standards. Even though it was influenced by Chinese spying techniques and the strategic principles of Sun Tzu, Ninjutsu is believed by its adherents to be of Japanese origin. One version is that the basis of Ninjutsu was taught to a Japanese household who fled to the mountains after losing a battle. There they came across Chinese warrior monks who had fled China. Later, the skills were developed over 300 years to create Ninjutsu.
Although the popular view is that Ninjutsu is the art of secrecy or stealth, actual practitioners consider it to mean the art of enduring — enduring all of life’s hardships. The character nin carries both these meanings, and others.
In the modern world the word ninjutsu usually refers to a certain system (Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu) of self defense, and its offshoots. It is true that ninjutsu has a long and myth-filled history, but today almost anyone is allowed to practice modern ninjutsu. As one makes progress in ninjutsu the system gets more sophisticated, and one might realize that the system contains more than fighting skills. To avoid misunderstandings, “ninjutsu” should just refer to a specific branch of Japanese martial arts, unless it is being used in a historical.
It is believed that some Lin Qui stayed in Japan and made a living as mountain hermits or priests, known as the Yamabushi.
Yamabushi began as yamahoshi, isolated clusters (or individuals) of mountain hermits, ascetics, and ‘holy men,’ who followed the path of shugendo, a search for spiritual, mystical, or supernatural powers gained through asceticism. This path may or may not have had a founder, as the myths surrounding En no Gyoja are numerous and complex; he is quite similar to a Japanese Merlin in this way. Men who followed this path came to be known by a variety of names, including kenja, kenza, and shugenja. These mountain mystics came to be renowned for their magical abilities and occult knowledge, and were sought out as healers or mediums, known as miko. Most of these ascetics, in addition to their devotion to shugendo, studied the teachings of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, or the Shingon sect, established by Kobo Daishi in the 8th century. Shingon was one of the primary sects of Esoteric Buddhism, according to which enlightenment is found through isolation, and the study and contemplation of oneself, as well as nature, and esoteric images called mandala. Both the Shingon sect and the Tendai viewed mountains as the ideal place for this sort of isolation and contemplation of nature. In their mountain retreats, these monks studied not only nature and religious/spiritual texts and images, but also a variety of martial arts. Whether they felt they had to defend themselves from bandits, other monks, or samurai armies is questionable, but the idea of studying martial arts as a means to improve oneself mentally and spiritually, not just physically, has always been central to Japanese culture, outside from the specific tenets of one religious sect or another. Thus, like the sohei, the yamabushi became warriors as well as monks.
As their reputation for mystical insight and knowledge grew, and their organization grew tighter, many of the masters of the ascetic disciplines began to be appointed to high spiritual positions in the court hierarchy. Monks and temples began to gain political influence. By the Nanboku-cho Period, in the 13th and 14th centuries, the yamabushi had formed organized cohorts called konsha, and these konsha, along with sohei and other monks began to take direction from the central temples of their sects. They assisted Emperor Go-Daigo in his attempts to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, and proved their warrior skills to be up to the challenge of fighting professional samurai armies.
Several centuries later, in the Sengoku Period, yamabushi could be found among the advisers & armies of nearly every major contender for dominion over Japan. Some, led by Takeda Shingen, aided Oda Nobunaga against Uesugi Kenshin in 1568, while others, including the abbot Sessai Choro, advised Tokugawa Ieyasu. Many fought alongside their fellow monks, the Ikko-ikki, against Nobunaga, who eventually crushed them and put an end to the time of the warrior monks.They have since disappeared. Other Lin Kuei traveled to Korea and continued their teachings and were named the sulsa warriors.
It is believed that they were monks who practiced their ways and customs. the Lin Qui lived secretly in caves, huts in nearby forests for centuries. Over the years the system masters refine the art and housed it as a family system. Lin Qui is still taught to day only to a select few. The Head Shr Lin of the Sanwang Yi Ren Shu System was Shi LI Wei (Gook Guon Lui) .
Sul Sa Do
A Secret Martial Art of the Korean Elite Warriors is said to have origins in the Korean Three kingdom period, dated back more than 1800 years ago. The Three Kingdoms of what is now known as Korea today were named: Koguryo, Paekche & Silla.This era in Korean history was known as the warring period which battles,wars and invasions from neighbouring countries took place. Silla one of the smallest of the three kingdoms, developed a unique military called The “Hwarang” with strong Martial Arts training and Code of Honour.The Hwarang being victorious in many wars and battles in the Three kingdom period helped conquer Koguryo and Paekche, thus helping in the unification of what is known today as Korea.
The Sul Sa (knights of the night) were the special Forces of the Hwarang military. Only Few of the Best of the Hwarang were chosen to train in the secret art of Sul Sa Do.The standards was so high for any Hwarang warrior to be chosen, that the opportunity to become a Sul Sa was considered the highest honour.These warriors were trained special abilities and combat strategies , and where the secret agents of the Hwarang military.
Sul Sa and Ninja
The Sul Sa warriors are commonly associated to the Ninja of Japan, and this is a common mistake in our days, as the Sul Sa followed a unique moral way based on the Hwarang Code of the Korean Warrior. The similarities of the Sul Sa and Ninja are many in the basics although training styles and methods are totally different.It is said that some Sul sa warriors refuge in Japan and gave idea to the unique Japanese Ninja Method.Ideas of the Sul Sa being of Influence to Japan Ninjutsu methods were the following :The Sul Sa being special agents often worked alone or in very small groups , commonly disguised in fully covered uniform to blend with the surroundings.Also the Sul Sa used straight bladed swords typical of Korean warring period , Japanese swords were curved and stronger, while Japanese Ninja used straight swords.The meditation systems found as a strong study in all Korean Martial Arts along with Sul Sa Do with unique breathing techniques are traced only similar in the Japanese secret art of Ninjutsu. Other Japanese Arts have the meditation basics but not as advanced as Ninjutsu.Another Idea of Sul Sa influence on Ninjutsu, was the geographical origin of Ninjutsu in Japan very close to Korea.
While the above are ideas of Sul Sa influence on the Japanese style of Ninjutsu, it is also true to say that in modern times their is a strong influence with Japanese Terms and familiarity with Japanese Martial Arts. The American war with Japan caused Japanese Martial Arts being recognized in the world before all the other countries with Martial Arts like Korea,Thailand,China, Vietnam and the Philippines. There is a strong influence of saying “Korean karate” instead of Tae Kwon Do. Nunchaku instead of Jul Bong and in consequence Ninja to Korean Sul Sa Do. Publicity or Magazine articles about Sul Sa Do often mention Ninja to help get the idea of the secrecy and type of weapons involved in the two distinct arts , being Ninja more familiar to the public. Japanese Ninjutsu is an excellent art if practiced by true professionals,using the word Ninja is not publicity, as many people can get the wrong idea from film fantasies and stories.
Modern Sul Sa Do
In the past years many martial arts teachers and instructors have experience in many different forms of Martial Arts and have combined their opinions and techniques to their styles forming an evolution in all Martial Arts systems.Modern day Sul sa do is different to its ancient style being influenced and perfected during the modern times, but its moral way and code of Honour are of far more importance following its traditional roots of origin.Classic weapon forms, meditation and discipline are taught as in ancient times to preserve the origins .The balance between modern technological ways of practice and ancient values make Sul Sa Do a very high standard Martial Art system.
Most Martial Arts today study a type of combat range or system, which is a piece of the complete ancient warriors way ,while Sul Sa Do is the most complete Martial Art (The Elite Korean Warrior art). Where studies in all ranges and circumstances of combat are taught.
