Ninja Martial Arts – Reality, Fiction and Today
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Here we go again, a new movie about ninja martial arts is coming to the big screen and from the previews it looks to be an action packed ride of a martial arts movie. It also looks like it is going to be a fictional work with all of inaccuracies that modern practitioners of ninjutsu have to explain the truth about when students inquire about such training.
The reality is that there really isn’t very much legitimate ninjutsu around anymore. There are some traces in a few koryu (old school) Japanese martial arts and there is only one recognized unbroken lineage of a “ninjutsu” school still in practice, the Togakure Ryu, which I teach (although depending on who discusses the matter, there is debate on this too… but then again we are talking about ninjutsu so this is to be expected I suppose).
While teaching this school, among others, a lot of new students or even just casual inquirers have come to believe the “Hollywood” stereotype, based on the more popular Japanese anime and comic book portrayals, is the truth. The most gratifying return, for me as a practitioner and instructor is how well received the real training is once a student gives it a chance. Like most mythology, there are grains of truth as the seeds in the myths but understanding the reality vs. the fiction offers a very unique perspective on martial arts training and in life in general. It would be way too difficult to go into every detail of such a discussion of truth and myth in a blog but I am always willing to discuss these things in detail. If you are in the greater San Diego area feel to come and visit.
If you like a good martial arts movie with lots of “ninja” action, go see the new film Ninja Assassin. It looks like it will have plenty of it. If your motivated about martial arts and ninjutsu training, before or after seeing this film, feel free to contact me. If you do not live in San Diego, I will help you get in touch with a reputable instructor in your area.
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