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 Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:28 pm
This is simply a little guide to the abilities generally associated with traditional ninjutsu, intent on assisting new newcomers who wish to stick to a realistic set of skills and abilities.
18 Ninjutsu Skills (Ninja Juhakkei)
1. Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
2. Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using body only as weapon)
3. Kenjutsu (sword fighting)
4. Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting)
5. Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades)
6. Sōjutsu (spear fighting)
7. Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting)
8. Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon)
9. Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives)
10. Hensōjutsu (disguise and animal morphing)
11. Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
12. Bajutsu (horsemanship)
13. Sui-ren (water training)
14. Bōryaku (military strategy)
15. Chōhō (espionage)
16. Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
17. Tenmon (meteorology)
18. Chi-mon (geography)
Now, a quick look at each:
((Disclaimer: All below information is my own understanding of the 18 skills based on various sources of information. While I believe them all to be accurate, any corrections you believe need to be made may be forwarded to me.))
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:29 pm
1. Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
This is basically the concept of using meditation to clear the mind and allow better focus in your actions.
2. Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using body only as weapon)
Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. It is a style for unified body movement and self-defense.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:29 pm
3. Kenjutsu (sword fighting)
The use of a katana, generally beginning unsheathed and focusing on both attack and defense. Not to be confused with iaijutsu, which has the sword sheathed to begin and focuses on the draw and first few strokes.
4. Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting)
This skill allows for non-lethal strikes, the Bō primarily being used in self-defense. It offers a range exceeding that of typical blades, and can be used to lock joints. Sometimes combined with the kicking techniques of Taijutsu.
5. Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades)
As the name implies, this skill covers the use of shuriken as weapons, as well as Tantō (knives).
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:30 pm
6. Sōjutsu (spear fighting) This covers the use of a Yari (Japanese spear). Like Bōjutsu, it has a lot of defensive potential in addition to its more obvious offensive use. 7. Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting) The weapon employed here is similar to the European glaive, being a pole weapon with a curved blade at the end. Like a sword, there is usually a guard between the blade and pole. 8. Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon) This usual skill uses a three part weapon. A kama (Japanese version of a sickle) is attached to a chain, which features a heavy weight on the oppisite end. The idea is to tangle the opponent with the chain before striking with the kama, but it is possible to throw either the kama or the weight at the opponent while grasping the opposite end of the chain. This would allow for long-distance attacks, well beyond even spear range.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:31 pm
9. Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives)
The name literally means the art of gunpowder, and makes effective use for distractions and traps. Can be tied in with Intonjutsu in some ways.
10. Hensōjutsu (disguise and animal morphing)
Basically, this covers using disguises to move about unnoticed. A ninja had to be able to appear as either a priest, samurai, merchant, craftsman, or farmer. It also covers the idea of tying carved wooden blocks to your feet, to make animal tracks rather than footprints.
11. Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
A system of five methods was used to enter an enemy zone. These are:
Nyukyo no jutsu - correct timing
Monomi no jutsu - finding weakness in defences
Nyudaki no jutsu - finding psychological weakness
Yoji-gakure - distraction
Joei-on jutsu - erasing light and sound
Also covered is the art of Shinobi-Aruki (silent walking), achieved by careful weight distribution while moving.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:33 pm
12. Bajutsu (horsemanship)
A self-explanatory skill, simply allows the practitioner the knowledge to ride horses.
13. Sui-ren (water training)
This skill involves the ability to use small boats, using water as a weapon, using tools like breathing tubes (hollow reeds) or special tabi (that allow movement on top of calm water), and purification of water sources.
14. Bōryaku (military strategy)
Another self-explanatory skill, uses various unorthodox tactics and strategies (including political ones) to influence the situation for the ninja's benefit.
15. Chōhō (espionage)
Once more, self-explanatory. Knowledge is key in warfare, and a ninja must be an effective spy and saboteur.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:34 pm
16. Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
Focuses mainly on Gotonpo, the ninja art of concealing oneself using the five elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal.
Doton no jutsu
Literally "Earth Evasion". Includes such concepts as raising clouds of dirt, burying oneself a few centimetres below the earth, using sand or dirt to blind the enemy (metsubushi), and related techniques.
Mokuton no jutsu
Literally "Wood Evasion". Usually refers to the use of trees, climbing trees, running up trees, or various rope techniques (Shoten-no-jutsu) used with trees.
Suiton no jutsu
Literally "Water Evasion". This could be concealment in a river or lake, or using water for metsubushi.
Katon no jutsu
Literally "Fire Evasion". Smokescreens, explosives, pepper bombs, and tactical fires fall into this category. Using explosives to blind opponents (for instance, the pepper bomb) is known as Nagedama.
Rinton no jutsu
Literally "Metal Evasion". Shurikenjutsu (the art of blade-throwing) is often an important part of this. Shuriken, as well as other metal weapons, could be used to reflect sunlight into an opponents eyes, or act as a distraction.
Also covers Shinobi-Aruki (the silent movement technique also studied as part of Shinobi-Iri).
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:34 pm
17. Tenmon (meteorology)
Ten-mon is the ninja art of understanding and using meteorology as a strategic weapon. It allowed ninja to foresee weather changes and to use them as an advantage. By knowing nature's changes, animal behaviour, or atmospheric signs, one could use rainy weather or a hot sunny period as strategic elements to weaken and defeat the enemy.
18. Chi-mon (geography)
The ninja of medieval Japan would spend many days in classrooms learning the geography of Japan and memorizing its major rivers and their tributaries. In addition, ninja would learn botany, entomology, geology, and zoology in order to determine their location, based on their natural surroundings.
Other skills include familiarizing themselves with the major imports and exports of surrounding provinces: knowledge which could be used for sabotage.
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