NIN JITSU - NINPO

The terms Ninjutsu and Ninpō are interchangeable, and their respective meanings are: Unconventional Combat Strategy and Martial Arts Combat Tactics.
The art of Ninjutsu is a very ancient martial art, which has its origins during the ASUKA period (592-710). The Ninja had a very important role in the life of Japan; Ninja groups began because during that time the Seaof Japan was infested by Chinese piracy, and it was necessary to create a defense against these attacks.
The Ninjas had a fundamental collection of survival techniques. The Ninja was a strategic warrior, who was an expert in special operations and with admirable skills.
The first people who trained Ninjutsu were in Mie Prefecture; and then, in the following periods, Ninja training spread to the areas of Kōka (Shiga Prefecture) and Iga (Mie Prefecture).
It is important to mention that the real development of Ninjutsu was during the MUROMACHI period. Japan was in a chaotic state and Ninja groups provided great support to the rulers and military leaders. No one knew of the term Ninja until the SENGOKU period. Ninjas were previously known as Shadow Men, and it was in the SENGOKU period that the golden age of Ninja began.
As in the other martial arts of Japan, Ninjutsu or Ninpō training is being taught as a path of life and individual self-improvement in various places to maintain the legacy of the martial arts of Japan and to assist students in their development as better human beings.

About the author

This article was written by Jorge Sosa Jr, an expert dedicated to research the different ways Japanese Martial Arts came to America.