Someone yesterday was telling me that Ninjas never existed, that they were merely heavies in black clothes sent out to terrify peasants into handing over more koku. He went on to say that all the Ninja stuff we have today is the result of the Japanese after surrendering in WW2 getting back at bigheaded American soldiers by scaring them with Ninja-revenge threats. This chap explained that all the dirty work was done by Geisha or Shinobi, when it wasn't done 'honourably' by Samurai. It was so off-the-wall, I didn't know what to say. Please, no apoplexy . Rgds, David
He and I both thought Shinobi were agents provocateurs (rabble-rousers), diplomats - that kind of thing. I really don't mean to launch negative threads in this area. Sorry! Rgds, David
No problem, David. Everything in Japanese which is written in kanji characters has more than one pronunciation, generally with the meanings still being related. It might interest you to know that ninja and shinobi are exactly the same thing, in the sense that they are simply alternative pronunciations of the same characters.
uhh... I really really wonder where people get this stuff from. Honestly, how? How can someone be so incredibly wrong. I'll just answer and say: "Yes they did exist. No nothing you/he said is remotely accurate, and you should feel ashamed!"
Apart from the embarrassment I feel, what do I actually tell him? If he'd said kung fu was invented in the 70s, I'd have loads of stuff to trash his opinion with. About ninjas, I'm too ignorant . The Shinobi kanji thing is cool but doesn't quite rebuff him in full. Got any more? There was an old Ninjutsu master on Mind, Body n Kick Ass Moves - if he was training it before WW2 or his teacher was then that'd be enough for him cos it proves a line going back. Who was that man? Rgds, David
Well there were ninjas at one time, thats been shown. But today I don't believe there are any "real" ninjas other than the teenage boys jumping around the woods.
Also...the term "Ninjas" in regards to the plural form of "Ninja" is a misnomer. Japanese terms do not add an "s" for plural. In other words, "I'm surrounded by thousands of Ninjas and Samurais!!" is incorrect. "I'm surrounded by thousands of Ninja and Samurai!!" is correct. So...you could definately say "Ninjas do not exist, but Ninja do". May you achieve Satori
Tell someone he's talking out his backside. The 'Ninjutsu master' whom you saw on 'Mind, Body and Kick Ass Moves' is a man called Masaaki Hatsumi, he is the Grandmaster of the Bujinkan Dojo from Noda City in the Chiba Prefecture of Japan. His teacher was a man called Toshitsugu Takamatsu (known as the 'Mongolian Tiger'). Takamatsu's teacher was a man called Shinryuken Toda. Since the majority of people on this forum train in the Bujinkan and many have been to Japan, then no doubt someone more qualified than I will give you further information. Considering Soke Hatsumi is in his seventies and I've shown you who his teacher was, then you can see that the lineage goes well beyond WW1, nevermind WW2. Authentic Ninjutsu can trace its lineage back at least 900 years. You sound very young and naíve but we all were once so I wouldn't worry. It was good that you showed the initiative of coming here and asking for the opinion of the forum members here instead of just taking this someone's word for it.
Dave, who the hell was it? This person is talking a load of bulshido! I can assure you that Dave is neither young nor naive, at all, being a very skilled Mantis Kung Fu-ist and a mate of mine.