Ninjutsu, or 'the art of concealment', is a Japanese martial art, developed by residents of the mountain regions in the former province of Iga (modern Mie) and Koka (in Shiga) from their knowledge of hunting and fighting techniques. Ninjitsu is a common misspelling. 'Jitsu' means 'truth' and in this context has little to do with the subject. Ninjutsu was developed in response to the samurai, the almost omnipotent warrior class in Japan who answered only to their lord, the shogun. The practitioners of ninjutsu were called ninjas. However, most ninja were samurai themselves.
Origin of Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu originated sometime between the 12th and 15th centuries. Special Ninjutsu techniques include staying hidden, avoiding, setting out astrays and gathering information. Disguises, escapes, camouflage, medicines and poisons, explosives and weapons, especially archery, swordsmanship and agility with the shuriken (also known as throwing star) were also practiced. The techniques were practiced in secret. Only three secret manuscripts from the 16th and 17th centuries remain: the Shoninki, Bansenshukai and Ninpiden.
Ninjutsu nowadays
Ninjutsu is now also practiced as a defense and combat sport. There are several variants of this depending on the club. One is based more on karate, the other on jiu-jitsu. Naturally, a number of skills are no longer taught (think of explosives, poisons, etc.). The length of training also varies from club to club and country to country. Being solely accountable to one gentleman is of course no longer possible these days and training in secret seems like something from another dimension. However, some clubs still have a kind of code of honor and certain techniques are only revealed to advanced players.
Ninjutsu is best known for the numerous roles of ninjas in films. Usually they play the bad guys, with exceptions of course. The so-called Ninja Turtles were also avid practitioners of this Japanese Martial art.
