anyone know any good places for learning ninjitsu? much appreciated if so

All martial arts are just tools. MMA is a wonderful tool for fighting one guy in a cage with rules. Ninjitsu is a wonderful tool if you need to end a fight quickly with minimum damage to yourself using the best means possible to end your opponent's aggression. There are a lot of wonderful arts out their and you need to choose the tool you want use but realize that not every tool is designed to be the best at every job. Try driving a nail with a screwdriver. --Warlord

All the people who say Ninja were mere assassins are grossly incorrect.

In reality, the Ninja that took on missions for a price (AKA mercenaries) were usually information warfare specialists. A mere 5 percent of their missions at most were assassinations, while the other 95 percent of their missions were stealing/planting/modifying information, sabotage, and similar tasks. A better description for ninja would be "spy," not assassin.

Also, many Ninja weren't actually mercenaries. In fact, "Ninjutsu" was created by Samurai that had adapted other martial arts (such as Kendo, Aikido, Karate, and Wushu) to a form that was more suitable for fighting against other Samurai. This is why Ninjutsu focuses heavily on how to fight against armored opponents and the Katana.

As for the martial art itself. There are many knock-offs, but the real style is quite capable of defeating anyone in a real fight (not a ring match), provided that the practitioner is more skilled than his/her opponent. The reason why it's so effective is because a skilled practitioner can use anything as a weapon with incredible effectiveness, allowing them to take down even the most powerful of opponents. Plus, Ninjutsu focuses heavily on "cheating" (or, more realistically, surviving by any means necessary). However, weapons are illegal in most tournaments, as is cheating, so Ninjutsu will never be truly effective in ring fighting, such as MMA tournaments.

To comment #13: You're incorrect. The Grandmaster of the Bujinkan Dojo (Masaki Hatsumi; his dojo is by far the most legitimate), is quite open about the art. He has public demonstrations, and anyone can join provided they abide by the rules.

Despite the misconceptions about Ninja being killers, Hatsumi teaches quite a bit of compassion, and he's also the first (and possibly only) Grandmaster of a Japanese dojo to allow non-Japanese to progress beyond black belt.

As a bit of a side note: We (that is, the people I've met within the Bujinkan Dojo and myself) love to talk about our art, even in public. The truth is, no one cares. :P As long as we don't abuse our art, or teach to those that will abuse it and not abide by the rules, there is nothing wrong about being public with the art.

Last, comment #9: I don't feel entirely comfortable listing the websites or contact information of the various teachers in different states, as I consider such information to be somewhat private, and I don't think it's my right to make that information very public. However, if you're interested in learning Ninjutsu, do a little research. Make sure the dojo you find is associated with the Bujinkan dojo and Hatsumi, and chances are, you've found a good dojo =)

I can assure you that after 23 years in Navy Special Warfare, that ninjitsu is not recommended nor required. I suppose it couldn't hurt, but it's definitely not a requirement.

If any of you were real ninjas you wouldn't have anything to say on the subject, especially to the mindless people we live around in a socialistic society. There's a reason why you don't hear much about ninjitsu. It's because if you are a ninja & you talk about it, you could be killed for opening your mouth. (the art of the assassin)

i have a 2nd degree black belt in ninjitsu and i also have had to study the tech. used in the old day. as far a being able to fly, no they don't fly but they did develop ways to use capes to 'glide from certain heights'. turn in to animals?? no, they used to carry animals with them to cause confusion. they did develop strength that was extra ordinary from years of training.

people need to consider that in the early centuries in japan superstition and fear was the main weapon that was used to cause fear and momentary shock in the enemy. people in feudal japan were very easily fooled into believing that anything could be paranormal.

but yes ninjas were used by war lords to spy and assasinate rival leaders.

dw41073

The Ninja, or practioners of Ninjitsu, were merely just trained assasins. They applied their practical scientific, technological, and improvisational skills to their craft. Sure there were various "clans", or networks, but they just worked for the local Samurai warlord (Shogun or Daimyo), or the highest bidder. There was no "code of honor", all they did was do what they were paid to do, whether it be spy, steel, or assassinate a rival warlord. So essentially the Ninja were just some of the worlds best assassins for hire. As for you "modern" Ninja, you are in belief to a popular misconception. There was nothing mystical about the Ninja, though it seemed so to the people of the feudal rule of the Shogunate in Japan. Martial Artist: Chris, USA

Ninjutsu is interesting, but anyone who thinks it is the ultimate hasnt done MMA, as a Ninja Black belt and MMA fighter, I quickly learnt of ninjas limitations - I walked into MMA as a Black belt ninja and was Intermediate compared to others, the fact is the 'lethal' techniques are much harder to do in a real fight than you think.

Do Ninja to learn weapons, learn a few flashy moves and have fun, but honestly dont expect to be a top fighter cos you train ninjutsu. Dont take my word for it, try ninjutsu out then train in mma the next day.

I have a question - how is one to go about learning the art of ninjitsu - I have no fighting background or experience except when I was very young, but I am changing my way of life. Instead of being lazy and passive and womanly, I want to become active and use my God given body and train it. Would like to learn how to fight and defend myself but with guidance on how to control anger and be patient. Ninjitsu seems to be very attractive to me. Can this be studied under a regular teacher or do you need to seek out someone connected to a chain of trainers to learn? Thanks for help

There is no "best way" to fight. All ways are equal, it just depends on the individual.

guys i have been taught ninjitsu...and have been doing it for 10 years now. ninjitsu isnt the most tough of the tough. tho it has the potentail. ninjitsu has an honor code that im not allowed to mention. ninjitsu utilizes the opponent and basically he destroys himself. he studies the enemy and finds flaws. it was made by poor commoners to defend themselves against crimesters. it was meant to make it possible to take down the strongest, biggest, baddest opponent in seconds and with less than 5 to 4 punches or kicks. they strike pressure points and disable the enemy before killing or running. fighting is a last resort in ninjitsu....

ninjitsu is not associated with the navy seals or spies....those people would be dead in an instant in a fight. and the thai boxer....lol come on guys.....yes we could win in a fair fight. and no we dont do whatever it takes to win in a battle. we only are desperate to get away, only cornered or no other choice do we fight then kill. ninjitsu can also be used for offense such as assassinating someone but we follow the honor code.

dude who ever said a Thai boxer would win against a ninja is totally wrong, I mean the point of the "ninja" wouldn't be just kill the Thai boxer, it would be to study him and his technique while using defensive or evasive moves and then use what he gathered to defeat him the fastest way. If you could read it was rumored that "ninjas" were ruthless killers and in ninjitsu they have a code of honor and it isn't just a way of surviving by doing whatever it takes.

since ninjitsu was basically a way of surviving by doing whatever it takes, it could be considered the most effective art but it would not necessarily beat other arts in a straight fight. For example a "ninja" vs. a Thai boxer. The boxer would probably win. The point of the ninja would be to kill the boxer before the match or just not be there in the first place. Secondly we have the equivalent of ninja today. Certain military special forces groups do the exact thing ninjas did. They infiltrate enemy lines, gather intel and or eliminate targets. Special forces and intelligence operatives are the modern ninja. On the cutting edge using whatever it takes to get the job done.

i have been studying up on it and i have come to the conclusion that it indeed is. it is a art that is unknown to most but non the less an art that can kill i seconds. ninjutsu i actually recommended by the navy seals if you want to join there elite squad.

is ninjitsu the most effective fighting art?