Ninjutsu/Ninpo

[Armalite]

Thoughts on the legitimacy of the Bujinkan style "ninjutsu" of Soke Maasaki Hatsumi? Cursory research seems to show that he has a plausible and coherent story showing the origins of the school from various fighters in feudal Japan, and the succession of their training in a line ending in himself. He claims to have the original densho scrolls the basic skills of the schools were written on, but I have found no mention of anyone else ever seeing them. Though he seems to have a reasonable reputation, many of high level members of his school are obvious quacks. There are quite a number of other schools, but they all derive from Bujinkan. This may seem to lend some legitimacy.

Basically, the story sounds good, but as of yet, nothing to support it. Rationally I must suspend judgement or reject it.

[LogicTurtle]

I've definitely heard of this guy. I'm about where you are on the subject though. Keep in mind though that every martial art has some quacks. I'll see what I can find on the guy.

[Armalite]

The interesting thin about it is that pretty much every ninjutsu school other than Bujinkan and it's immediate derivatives are obviously crap. Only Hatsumi has any claim to legitimacy, if what he says is true. The sensationalism of "ninja" clouds the issue. He could be totally legitimate, but dismissed because it sounds implausible for something as stylized as ninja to exist. From what I understand he also began study/teaching long before ninja mania set in in popular culture. I watched some videos from a dojo of theirs and the techniques seemed as legitmate as anything else, Shotokan for example. Many of the traditional Asian martial arts are criticised in today's age of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts where the emphasis is on defeating the opponent, rather than on impractical techniques emphasizing form and grace over the success of the attack or defense.

[Mr.V]

Got noodles?

[odin_dax]

Every martial arts master in my area with true skill are either a) at least a little bit nuts, b) in a gang/mob of some kind, and more commonly, c) both.

The realm of martial arts has a lot of stories like you've written, Armalite. I wouldn't be surprised if it were true. I doubt you'll ever see the scrolls though.

[LogicTurtle]

If martial arts were truly what it used to be, I would love to get back into it. The closest I've come to a legitimate martial art not clouded in bullshit was a kickass Jeet Kune Do instructor who tought in the basement of an old pizza joint. I really love beating the ass of "black belts" taught at ATA though. So satisfying...

[odin_dax]

If martial arts were truly what it used to be, I would love to get back into it. The closest I've come to a legitimate martial art not clouded in bullshit was a kickass Jeet Kune Do instructor who tought in the basement of an old pizza joint. I really love beating the ass of "black belts" taught at ATA though. So satisfying...

Come out to San Fran.

[LogicTurtle]

That's where Jeet Kune Do started right? I'd love to live in California, but money is hard enough to find in Missouri. Of course that could be BECUASE I'm in Missouri...

[odin_dax]

That's where Jeet Kune Do started right? I'd love to live in California, but money is hard enough to find in Missouri. Of course that could be BECUASE I'm in Missouri...

I'm not too sure. I'm not into martial arts, but one of my friends is. Bruce Lee's apprentice (or one of them - I don't know how many he had) is out here. Lot of people know their stuff, but the masters control the teachings and want to be paid a percentage after their apprentices start their own dojos. It's a big scheme.