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Ninjutsu: History, Tradition, and Modern Relevance

By Yossi Sheriff

Ninjutsu (忍術, נינג'יטסו) originated as the practical tool-set of Japan’s battlefield scouts and agents. Tokugawa gun’yaku regulations issued in 1649 limited the employment of shinobi to daimyō whose domains yielded at least 10 000 koku, formally recognising them as professional soldiers1.

Those soldiers valued outcome over prestige—what we summarise as goals, not glory. Modern Ninjutsu maintains this practical approach throughout its martial curriculum. The techniques documented in classic manuals like the Ninpiden3 (1655), Bansenshukai4 (1675) and Shōninki5—covering everything from disguise to explosives—were preserved as written instructions for centuries. Living lineages like those taught at AKBAN take these dormant techniques and return them to active practice through kata and randori, transforming historical source back into physical movement.

At AKBAN we treat Ninjutsu as three intertwined practices: effective self-defense, sound physical conditioning and steady emotional regulation. Resourcefulness, not spectacle, remains the benchmark.

Table of Contents

Origins

Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi – modern reviver

Ninjutsu crystallised in the rugged Iga and Kōga regions, where small landowners honed espionage, guerrilla warfare and counter-intelligence. Elements later spread into broader samurai culture; traces survive in classical schools such as Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū.

AKBAN documents several transmission lines, notably the Bujinkan’s nine ryū. While the Togakure lineage lacks formal koryū certification, others—Gyokko-ryū, Kuki Shinden Ryū and more—are preserved in detail. Our archive records each syllabus.

Crow Tengu, yamabushi archetype
Crow Tengu – yamabushi archetype

An ascetic stream underlies the art: mountain hermits (yamabushi) who blended Shugendō austerities with survival craft. Their focus on terrain, endurance and mental discipline still guides AKBAN practice.

Historical Context

Sources on shinobi are fragmentary; close reading is essential. They reveal operators who relied on tight trust networks, psychological acuity and deep local knowledge—skills as relevant today as in Sengoku Japan 2.

Principles and Techniques

Totoku stance
Totoku stance

Across weapons work, grappling and deception, one theme persists: calculated adaptability. AKBAN organises training with the Methodical Pyramid, a framework for technical skills, conditioning and emotional control.

Core Techniques and Modern Adaptations: The AKBAN Approach

Although techniques in Ninjutsu may vary depending on the school, core principles remain consistent: strikes, throws, armlocks, and weapon techniques. However, the physical moves are only part of the equation; mindset is equally important. At the AKBAN academy, we emphasize "goals, not glory," advocating for minimal aggression whenever possible (link to ethical code). This aligns with the covert warrior ethos, where the goal is to achieve the mission with as little conflict as necessary while striving to do good when possible.

Another crucial aspect is the importance of community trust and communication. Historically, ninjas operated in close-knit groups, often outside of conventional military structures, requiring a high level of trust and effective communication. We uphold these principles in our modern practice.

Furthermore, we aim to maintain the legendary adaptability of the ninja to new technologies, particularly in this age of rapid technological advancement. From the mythic diving apparatus and poison bombs of the past to the utilization of modern tools and even artificial intelligence, we believe in staying ahead of the curve. This forward-thinking approach makes Ninjutsu, especially as practiced in AKBAN, a continually evolving and relevant martial art.

The AKBAN Approach

At AKBAN, Ninjutsu is more than just a collection of techniques—it's a comprehensive life skill for developing physical and emotional resilience. Our veterans, which include board-certified physical therapists and medical doctors, have been refining our course since 1986.

Blending Tradition and Modern Science

We have distilled the core principles of Ninjutsu and enriched them with state-of-the-art fitness methodologies and emotional regulation technology. Our unique regimen, backed by in-house biofeedback technology, offers a training experience that goes beyond self-defense to enhance overall well-being.

Modern Applications: The AKBAN Vision

In today's world, the principles of Ninjutsu extend far beyond the dojo. While the art is globally practiced for self-defense, fitness, and spiritual growth, AKBAN sees it as a blueprint for fostering a more resilient and compassionate society.

Humanizing Martial Arts

Our vision transcends the traditional boundaries of martial arts. By integrating modern scientific insights and ethical considerations, we aim to contribute to a world where the martial ethos serves not only individual practitioners but also society at large. At a time when resilience and resourcefulness are more crucial than ever, we believe that the AKBAN approach works for us.

The 18 Ninjutsu Skills:

Read about The 18 skills here

  1. Seishin-Teki-Kyo‘yo‘ (精神的教養)
  2. Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using one's body as the only weapon), (体術}})
  3. Kenjutsu (sword fighting) (剣術)
  4. Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting), (棒術)
  5. Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades), (手裏剣術)
  6. Sōjutsu (spear fighting), (槍術)
  7. Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting), (長刀術)
  8. Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon), (鎖鎌術)
  9. Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives), (火薬術)
  10. Hensōjutsu (disguise & impersonation), (変装術)
  11. Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods), (忍び入り)
  12. Bajutsu (horsemanship), (馬術)
  13. Sui-ren (water training), (水練)
  14. Bōryaku (military strategy), (謀略)
  15. Chōhō (espionage), (諜報)
  16. Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment), (隠遁術)
  17. Tenmon (meteorology), (天文)
  18. Chi-mon (geography), (地文)

Seishin Teki Kyōyō – The Spiritual Realm of the Ninja

Seishin Teki Kyōyō—seven core principles—forms the spiritual backbone of authentic Ninjutsu. They transcend combat drills, guiding both martial and personal growth. Often ignored in modern dojos, they were indispensable to the historical shinobi and remain so today. ...read more

  1. Self-knowledge. The path starts with honest self-examination. Physical tests and meditation expose limits and reveal hidden strengths. At AKBAN, partner feedback speeds up progress impossible in solitude.
  2. Understanding Nature. A ninja must read terrain, weather, and bodily mechanics. Our desert sessions turn harsh environment into a classroom, sharpening the ability to move efficiently and to work with, not against, natural laws.
  3. Fate. Plans often collapse. Ninjutsu trains mental flexibility: prepare thoroughly, stay detached from outcomes, and act decisively when circumstances shift.
  4. Harmony. Mastery is measured by integration, not domination. Training evolves from precise technique to holistic tactics that resolve conflict with minimal force. The higher the skill, the greater the responsibility to safeguard life and dignity.
  5. The Heart. Courage is not the absence of fear but action in spite of it. Progressive stress-exposure builds emotional resilience while the community supplies challenge and safety.
  6. The Eye. Victory depends on seeing reality clearly. Drills sharpen literal sight (Vision of the Ninja) and predictive insight, skills that carry into daily life and social dynamics.
  7. Love. The shinobi’s love is devotion to community and craft. Training aims not at self-aggrandizement but at preserving what is worthwhile amid chaos.

Together, these principles create an integrated system. At AKBAN, every technique is a vehicle for exploring them, connecting modern practitioners to the essence of Ninjutsu.

FOOTNOTES

  1. 1 Stephen Turnbull, Ninja AD 1460-1650 (Osprey Publishing, 2003), 12–13. Available: Amazon UK | Open Library
  2. 2 Toshio G. Tsukahira, Feudal Control in Tokugawa Japan: The Sankin Kōtai System (Harvard University Asia Center, 1966), 51–57. Available: Internet Archive | Google Books
  3. 3 Ninpiden (忍秘伝, also known as Shinobi Hiden, 1655). See: Wikipedia entry | National Diet Library, Japan
  4. 4 Bansenshūkai (萬川集海, 1676). English translation: Antony Cummins & Yoshie Minami, The Book of Ninja: The Bansenshukai - Japan's Premier Ninja Manual (Watkins Publishing, 2013). Available: Internet Archive | Wikipedia entry
  5. 5 Shōninki (正忍記) by Natori Masazumi (1681). English translation: Axel Mazuer, Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja (Inner Traditions, 2009). Available: Wikipedia entry | Amazon

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