To begin: I am not a current Instructor;..

(… though graded/licensed to be…

1996-Asst. Instr. Shidoshi-ho… currently Shidoshi…):

…I am a long-time Student. Of the Martial Arts

(…incl. NINPO…1984-), a Researcher and Writer.

 

Any and All Concepts discussed herein are from that Viewpoint.

My simple understanding and so forth.

 

These Concepts (… AND how they relate to YOU…)

are best explained by YOUR Sensei… or Soke preferably. These

are the ones who can JUDGE the presentation

and advice etc based on your current needs. The

overview herein is taken from my Journals, experience

and current mood AND is presented as such.

 

Just an Overview.

 

Am aware that there are several Versions/Editions of these

Concepts and will endeavor to cover the Majority.

 

Herein an Introduction to the Terms and Concepts.

EACH will then (…soonish…) be further examined

in a separate dedicated post.

Shiro’s take on the;..

 

BUJINKAN NINPO

FUNDAMENTALS.

AN INTRODUCTION.

… to the MIND… of Shiro… on the Terms and Concepts of NINPO.

 

 

A LIL… BACK-CHAT…

 

Within Traditional ARTS OF WAR and combat oriented

MARTIAL WAYS and such as the TRADITIONS of Japan;

there are Concepts, Philosophies and Terms,

Scrolls, Denshō and so on. These give meaning to,…

helping to define and clarify that ART and/or Way.

 

An Idea, Concept, Guide,.. oft… an overview.

Usually of Two kinds,.. though sometimes three.

Physical-Mental-Divine.

 

These each represent an APPROACH/METHOD

of Ways of doing…

thus to apply to where needed and so forth.

 

These also carry through and beyond a single

generation of practitioners and are oft generated

by somewhat important figures of that Tradition

and ultimately bestowed akin to a LEGACY.

 

These Basic Practices and Approaches were oft

considered integral and very necessary

in the formulation of understanding of the Tradition.

 

These i term… THE FUNDAMENTALs.

3 Levels.

E.g.

…PHYSICAL = KATA, THE BASICS.

…MENTAL = PHILOSOPHY.

…DIVINE = APPLICATION OF.

 

 

(…OK… BUT…NOW…REAL IZE:

As One spends more Time and Experience gaining…

…MARTIAL-NESS… the MEANING itself of these

Concepts + co.,.. Changes and Adapts too…

oft involving a Deeper or Revelatory

type understanding of Inner meaning

and Intent/Purpose.

 

…Shiro’s TRAINING TIP HEREIN THEN:

REVISIT THESE… OFT.

 

E.g. WHEN YOU ARE STUCK… on any level…

…time to revisit… the Fundamentals, the BASICS…)

 

Perhaps summed well by a LEGENDARY Practitioner:

 

“… In the beginning, as one knows nothing, one does not doubt anything. After having entered the study of combat, various things occupy the spirit; one is obstructed by it and all becomes difficult. Then, as soon as one does not wonder anymore about what one learns, the idea of rules does not have any more impact.

Thus, one does not stick to them anymore to exert the techniques in the various ways.

They emanate from oneself and are then naturally in true harmony with the rules. It is necessary to follow the way of combat, but one must understand this well. To involve oneself by learning the beginning weapon techniques, and all the rules, postures of the body, manners of perceiving, is to deploy the intellect.

When one has gained control, these many rules disappear from the intellectual consciousness. Without conscious reflection, one finally reaches the heart of things. After having assimilated many rules, the merits of this approach accumulate. They reside within the legs, the arms, and the body.

They no longer linger in the spirit. One moves away from the rules, but one conforms to them.

In all circumstances, the techniques become spontaneous. Alone, thought does not stick to anything at this point and, thus, not even demons can disturb one’s being. It is to reach this stage that one practices. When the rules have been assimilated, they disappear…“.

柳生 宗矩

 

YAGYŪ MUNENORI
Japan, 1571–1646.

 

On with the Intel Shiro…

 

 

FINDING… FUNDAMENTALs:

 

Combat oriented ARTS such as NINPO use representations

of how to best survive.

From our viewpoint herein these refer to our

SCROLLS, DENSHŌ and KATA (click).

These each delineate… APPROACHES, METHODS and WAYS

which remind the Student of the HOPEFULLY,

best workable ideas to safeguard Oneself from…

non-Survival.

 

These may involve Movements, Weapons

or Mind-sets. Intended to minimise harm

and very likely generate strategic advantages

for the user. Usually based on MIND, physiology,

body movements and physics, leverage

and body positions and so forth.

 

A Foundational System or Base

perhaps the best definition.

 

BUJINKAN NINPO’s… BASEs…

 

• TENCHIJIN RYAKU no MAKI.

 

• KIHON HAPPO.

 

• KIHON HAPPO CHUUTO HANPA.

 

• SAN SHIN no KATA.

 

• TAIJUTSU.

 

• TAIHENJUTSU.

 

• PHILOSOPHY.

 

 

• 天地人略の巻
• TENCHIJIN RYAKU no MAKI.
• The Scrolls of Heaven, Earth and Man.
• Shiro’s Library BUJINKAN HOMBU Version… 1990-… presented at a grading session.

 

• 基本八法型
• KIHON HAPPO.
• The Eight Basic Ways.
• Basic Kamae, Strikes, Grapples.
• Opponent assisted KATA/GATA.
• (click).
• Variation: Chuuto Hanpa, Weaponry.

 

• KIHON HAPPO CHUUTO HANPA.
• The Eight Basic Ways… Incompletely Completed.
• Opponent assisted KATA/GATA.
• Variation: Henka, Weaponry.

 

• 三心の型
• SAN SHIN no KATA.
• The Basic Movements KATA/GATA.
• (click).
• Initially/Predominantly Solo.
• Variation: Opponent/Weaponry.

 

• 体術
• TAIJUTSU.
• Predominantly Unarmed Combat Techniques.
• (click).
• Variation: Taihenjutsu, Weaponry.

 

• 体変術
• TAIHENJUTSU.
• Predominantly Unarmed Ukemi, vs Sword/Weaponry.
• (click).
• Variation: Henka, Weaponry.

 

• PHILOSOPHY.
• (click)
• MIND.
• As is.

 

 

Coming next in this Series… soonish;..(click)

• TENCHIJIN RYAKU no MAKI.

 

Till next…