Bujinkan Tasmania Budo Dojo 徳武流水武神館武道道場 Ninjutsu. De principper du lærer på SKRID og IMPACT kurserne.
This is some brief footage of a scenario I directed with the fantastic help of Andrius Zaidovas and his dojo in Vilnius, Lithuania during my last visit. I have quickly and badly edited it together but, when we eventually finish the footage it will be edited and produced professionally. Unfortunately, even after a full day and night of filming we were unable to complete our goal. I hope that one day I can return and we will finish the clips while also showing the classical applications to show how ninjutsu is real and relevant for effective self defence in modern society.
Many people believe the art of ninjutsu and many of it's movements/forms/kata are not relevant in todays society. If you just make a judgment based on the kata, than you are superficial and not understanding the naturalness and pragmatic execution of these movements once fully understood in mind, spirit and body. The kata are mere exercises that must be adapted and used in context. For example, please notice that the execution of the forward break fall in a self defence scenario was performed vertically when psuhed against a car, and not as usually practiced as one is pushed to the floor. In these simple changes the ninjutsu concept of Juppou Sesshou ( 10 directional negotiations ) is understood and appreciated. Ninjutsu is about going beyond the form. It is realising that each movement/technique can be used within context and with natural feeling as true means of assisting one to avoid dangerous situations. Hiding is very much a part of ninjutsu. People laugh at this, however, if one is natural and understands human instinct and fear, it is an important survival tool worth practicing. The basic Togakure ryu ninjutsu techniques of escaping the restraint of others is very applicable for todays society. People are abducted, pulled into cars,ally ways etc all the time. Again, if you are able to see the reality in the kata, than you are getting it ( in my opinion ). In the moment of real life self defence, it is not how it looks but whether the principles of taijutsu are used naturally and effectively. As Soke has said, "ninjutsu techniques are not meant to be viewed as strong or weak, but rather movements to bring one un or fortune ( good luck )."
Yoko Aruki is the famous sideways walking of the ninja utilised to scan in all directions while using the hands freely to draw, throw,or prepare things whilst moving. The basic swinging of the arms is not for physical balance but to understand the balance of the upper and lower half of the body so one can still draw swords, throw shuriken,metsubushi,tetsubushi and prepare tools whilst maintaining vision in all directions. We have also seen how Ku no kata from the Gogyo was naturally utilised and made more effective by throwing the earth/dirt. In the Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no maki it states all technqiues must be understood iin jodan,chudan, and gedan levels ( high, middle and low/seated postures ) and in forms of natural self defence ( shizen goshinjutsu ).
The techniques of ninjutsu are invisible when they are understood as being truly natural. Being natural is the secret to understand the true applications of this art.
I hope this brief video will give people some food for thought as to how ninjutsu technique is extremely applicable and natural thus valuable for every day living and self defence.
Duncan Stewart
Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo-cho. ... See more
