What is Ninjutsu?

My main martial arts focus is studying the art of Ninja. The Ninja art is called Ninjutsu and is characterised by the employment of stealth, cunning strategy, and tactics of unconventional warfare and guerrilla warfare. In fact, the word Ninjutsu can be translated as "Art of Stealth". Ninjutsu however has a second more powerful translation, that of the "Art of Enduring".  In legend Ninjas were known for both qualities, that of being silent and for the ability to endure all of life's challenges and survive through anything. It is for this reason that Ninjutsu involves special training to teach the practitioner to endure all hardships. The most famous of which being the legendary Ninja waterfall training when the practitioner learns to sit or stand under the cold relentless waterfall while the water beats down of his body.

The History Of Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu was developed by groups of people mainly from the Iga Province and Koga, Shiga of Japan. Throughout history the shinobi have been seen as assassins, scouts and spies. They are mainly noted for their use of stealth and deception. They have been associated in the public imagination with activities that are considered criminal by modern standards. Throughout history many different schools have taught their unique versions of Ninjutsu. An example of these is the Togakure-ryu. This ryu was developed after a defeated samurai warrior called Daisuke Togakure escaped to the region of Iga. Later he came in contact with the warrior-monk Kain Doshi who taught him a new way of viewing life and the means of survival (Ninjutsu). Ninjutsu was developed as a collection of fundamental survivalist techniques in the warring state of feudal Japan. The Ninja used their art to ensure their survival in a time of violent political turmoil. Ninjutsu included methods of gathering information, and techniques of non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, explosives, and poisons.

About My Ninja Training

I have travelled across the world to seek out tuition from great masters of this art. I have had the honour to train with such masters as Grand Master Masaaki Hatsumi ,Stephen K Hayes, Noguchi Sensei, Michael Pearce and Karl Foster. For me Ninjutsu has been a journey of self discovery and empowerment. A path of enlightenment that with each day brings fresh challenges and increases one's ability to adapt. Modern Ninjutsu has a very strong focus on the skills of unarmed combat or Taijutsu as it is called in Japanese. However I believe that by studying many traditional Ninja skills one gains the most benefit. To be a real Ninja you have to fully embrace all aspects of the art.

Many people visiting this website may have read the sensational articles about my Ninja training and adventures in newspapers such as the Sun, The Daily Mail, Metro or The Independent.  If you are interested in the true story behind my Ninja training you may be interested in my new book Becoming a Ninja Warrior.

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