Shinobi no Juhappen The total warrior is much more than someone who can execute a pretty but impractical floating, spinning kick. The total warrior is also more than someone who is proficient at defending him or herself, or even mounting an effective offense. The total warrior even transcends proficiency with weapons; and includes such skills as the ability to use the weather or geography to an advantage, the ability to gather and use information, and the ability to plan effectively. The total warrior is also in tune with him or herself and with the universe, and is as dedicated to educational arts as the martial arts. That is why the Arkansas Bujinkan Dojo uses the Shinobi no Juhappan as the foundational structure of learning. The Shinobi no Juhappan are the eighteen skills deemed essential for the ninja. Although some of the skills, or the nature of the skills, have changed over the years, they are still as important today as in the past. TAIJUTSU These are the principles of unarmed tactics and combat used within the Bujinkan. This includes dakentaijutsu (striking techniques), jutaijutsu (grappling techniques), shime (choking techniques), nawanage (throwing techniques), kosshijutsu (organ and muscle strikes), and koppojutsu (bone techniques). Also included is Taihenjutsu (body movement and position), Ma-ai (distancing), Ukemi (rolling and breakfalls), and hichojutsu (leaping techniques). SEISHIN TEKI KYOYO This is not necessarily a skill, but is vital to all other aspects of the Shinobi no Juhappan. Without Seishin Teki Kyoyo, no other skills can successfully be learned. This involves achieving and maintaining a proper attitude of mind, body, and spirit. The philosophy of both early works in ninjutsu, such as the Bansenshukai, and Soke Hatsumi will be addressed in this training. Meditation as a technique and as a way of life will also be taught to those interested. At more advanced levels, the Kuji-in/Kuji kiri will also be addressed. The flow of energy, both in maintaining the body, in health, and in defeating an opponent will also be developed. KENJUTSU These are the techniques of swordsmanship. These include battojutsu, Iaido, and tantojutsu (short blade techniques). Kenjutsu training will cover three areas. The first is personal development. This is a Zen method of developing the mind, discipline, and spirit through learning swordsmanship. Kenjutsu will also be used in individual Kata and movement to further develop taihenjutsu. Finally, practical fighting application will be taught through two-person and multiple-personal drills and matches. BOJUTSU These are the principles of staff fighting. These include bojutsu (6 foot staff techniques), jojutsu (4 foot staff techniques), and hanbojutsu (3 foot staff techniques). Very important in these techniques is the concept of miai (distancing). Like Kenjutsu, Bojutsu will be used to further develop taihenjutsu. Kata, one-person, and two-person drills will also be used to develop skill with the staff. Practical self defense with a cane will also be taught. SHURIKENJUTSU These are techniques involved in thrown blades. This includes the traditional Togakure Ryu senban shuriken as well as throwing knives, tomahawks, and other bladed objects that are thrown. Also included in this skill are kyujutsu (archery) ganshinjutsu (blown darts) and fukibarijutsu (blowing needles). Training in this skill will include both practice weapons (plastic darts and shuriken) and live blades (knifes, tomahawks and live shuriken).
KUSARIGAMAJUTSU YARIJUTSU These are the techniques of using yari (spears). Also covered will be the Kama yari (hooked spear) from the Koumogakure Ryu. NAGINATAJUTSU These are the techniques of using a traditional Japanese halberd. This may also include some bisentojutsu (large halberd techniques). BAJUTSU This is the traditional art and techniques of horsemanship. Since horses are no longer popular methods of transportation, other methods of transportation will also be trained on. Defensive driving and other methods of using automobiles in defensive and offensive operations will be addressed. SUIREN These are the different types of water techniques. This includes basic swimming and water survival as well as river crossings with equipment, walking and moving in water, and using water as a strategy. Taijutsu in a water environment will also be taught. Training will include work with underwater techniques, using a Shindake (a tube through which to breath) taken from the Togakure Ryu, and miz ugumo (water spiders). KAYAKUJUTSU These are techniques involving fire. In modern terms this means the employment of gunpowder and firearms (hojutsu), explosives (hajutsu), and other uses of fire such as flares and infrared devices (what could be called hijutsu). Practice in using a variety of firearms and employment of firearms in different situations will be trained on. SHINOBI IRI These are techniques of infiltration. Central to this skill is silent movement and stealth. Walking and moving in different environments and the ability to cover long distances quickly will be covered. Yoko Aruki (sideways walking) from the Koto Ryu will also be practiced. This skill also includes entering methods (including using ropes, rapelling, etc.). Students will also train with shuko and ashito, both as a method of fighting against weapons and as a method of climbing trees and entering structures. Also included in this training is the use of metsubushi (blinding or distracting techniques) and tetsubishi (small spiked objects). Also included will be techniques of kaiki (methods of entering locked or fortified areas). INTONJUTSU Closely related to shinobi iri is this technique (literally lying low). This also includes escape and evasion techniques, the art of concealment (uzura kakure no jutsu), and “invisibility techniques” (onshinjutsu). The primary training in this skill will be different types of camouflage and other methods of moving and hiding undetected. This skill will also include Kyojutsu ten kan ho (the art of changing). TENMON These are skills used in meteorology. This includes predicting the weather and dealing with the weather in operations and activity. Astronomy, especially as it relates to the ability to determine direction by using the stars, will also be taught. Students will also practice moving and operating at night. Finally, the affect of weather on the opponent as well as your own attitude will also be addressed. CHIMON These are techniques of geography. The primary skill here will be map reading, topography, and the ability to move about on the ground. BO RYAKU Bo Ryaku is the art of battle strategies. At the most basic level, Bo Ryaku will include facing and overcoming an opponent. At intermediate levels, tactics for facing multiple opponents will be trained. More advanced instruction will include strategies for deal with groups groups. The historical organization of Ninja clans will be examined, especially as it relates to the employment of unconventional forces. HENSOJUTSU These are techniques of disguise and impersonation. They are somewhat different than intonjutsu, and are more closely related to choho techniques. These are techniques for advanced practitioners. CHOHO This is the elements and techniques of espionage. These are techniques for advanced practitioners only. Much of the material for this training is drawn from the Gyokushin Ryu.
|
Copyright © 2007, Arkansas Bujinkan Dojo