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How to Learn Ninja Techniques

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Last Updated: May 20, 2021
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The true techniques of the ninja are taught in secrecy. Whenever a ninja thought of new
techniques, they would write it down into makimono or scrolls for the next generation's
ninja. There are some ways of the ninja that are better known to the western world.

Part
1 Dressing the Part

Understand the style. The contemporary ninja varies from the classic
1 perception portrayed by movies. The formal gown worn by the ninja is a
navy blue gown with a covered face. In action, a ninja acts more like a
chameleon than a warrior.
There are many articles that tell you ninja clothes (shinobi shozoku)
should be tight-fitting to avoid making noise. The clothes should instead fit
your body in a loose style.

Dress for stealth. You will need clothes that fit the environment around
2 you. The idea of camouflage is to distort your shape so you won’t be
easily identified. Matching the people around you has become important for
the modern ninja. This sometimes means studying the people around you and
being able to easily adapt.
 Being unnoticed is important for a ninja.
Your nightclothes should be dark blue and comfortable. Consider wearing
a keikogi, a martial arts training top, and a hakama, or loose fitting formal
pants. The bottom parts of your hakama should be tucked into your tabi
(ninja boots) and tied with a string for each foot.[1]

Use everyday clothes. You don't need to spend a lot of money at a

3 specialty store for the authentic look. A traditional wardrobe doesn't
create a ninja. Soccer sweat pants can be a great substitute for pants. Pair
that with a dark blue t-shirt or turtleneck, a dark ski mask and you’re a modern
ninja.

Part
2 Understanding Stealth Techniques

Practice Nuki Ashi. This is one of the techniques of Shinobi Aruki. It is

1 very useful for moving across creaky floor boards and the like. Start in a
low crouching position with your arms extended for balance. Put most of your
weight on the front leg. Move the back leg from the rear and swing it close to
your other leg so it barely touches at the ankles.
Extend the moving leg forward and use it to feel for any creaky floor
boards. Then starting from the outer edge of your foot, ease your weight
onto that leg.

Use Yoko Aruki or sidewalk. This is a walking technique used to travel

2 along walls and through tight spaces. Yoko aruki starts with one's back
against the wall. Move the rear leg in the direction of travel. Bend the knees
deeply when doing this. Once in this position, move the other leg sideways in
front of the other leg and in the direction of travel. This movement should be
smooth.[2]

Practice Ko Ashi or tiger feet. This is a good technique for walking

3 through high brush or water. First, lift your front leg straight out of the
brush. Slide your foot over the spot in which you intend to step. Point your
foot straight down and step into the brush. After the foot has reached the
ground return it to a normal position.[3]

Try crouching. Perhaps the best way to move about, crouching allows
4 less of you to be seen while moving.
 Practice crawling. Excellent for visual concealment, the crawl is good for
5 crossing soft grass and clean surfaces. The crawl is not good for crossing
anything noisy such as hard grass, leaves, and rocky terrain.

Use other stealth tips. When you're about to turn around a corner, listen
6 for footsteps or talking around or behind a wall. If you're skilled enough,
you can tell which direction they are facing by listening to them. Be sure to
press your weight against the wall, and crouch as low as you can to peer
around the corner.
The lower you are, the less chance they'll see you.
When ascending stairs, if they are creaky, walk on the side of them,
closest to the wall.

Part
3 Learning to Fight

Learn Jiu jitsu. Jiu jitsu is a great foundation to martial arts practice
1 because the fighting style relies on balance. Much of the jiu jitsu takes
your opponent's strength and uses it against them.[4]
If you belong to a
Jujutsu school, you'll begin with the elementary throws and grapples. One of
the first skills you learn is to relax during training. This enables you to train
longer without becoming exhausted and also is good preparation to becoming
a ninja.
The core of Jujutsu is fighting without weapons.

Discover ninjutsu organizations. Some larger cities have ninjutsu

2 schools that are open for willing patrons. This is the best way to learn the
true techniques a of ninja’s fighting style. The core idea of ninjutsu is stealth.
A modern fictitious ninja who incorporates this fighting style is Batman.

Learn from a trainer. Although knowing a traditional Japanese style of

3 fighting is preferred, receiving any type of martial art training will help. You
can always adapt the ways of your martial arts style into a stealth based style.
You can also seek out further training after receiving a basic martial arts
training.
Part
4 Using Ninja Accessories

Use throwing spears. Hold the Bo-Shuriken in your hand with the point
1 facing the same direction as your fingers. Hold it in place by your middle
and index finger. Tuck your thumb over it to keep the bottom half secure.
Point your arm that is not holding it towards the target. Then position your foot
on the side of that hand in front of the target. Raise the hand that's holding the
bo-shuriken next to your head.
Bring the BS holding hand straight down, accelerating as you bring it
down. Make sure it's powerful enough so that it slips out of your hand.
Try not to be too powerful or you won't have much accuracy.[5]

Throw ninja stars. Hold the shuriken in your hand by gripping the outside
2 of a point. Reach around your body to where you back pocket would be,
and then pull your arm around and let your wrist snap forward. This will take
practice at first. Only worry about the accuracy and not the power, distance, or
looking cool.

Wield a sword. There are five basic postures of wielding a sword in a

3 ninja style.
Jodan no Kamae. This entails holding the sword overhead at a 45 degree
angle.
Seigan no Kamae. This technique places the sword handle at hip level
with the tip aiming at your adversary's eyes.
Chudan no Kamae. For this, the sword is held at your center, above waist
level with the tip pointing to your adversary's stomach.
Hasso no kamae. Have the sword at your side in a manner similar to a
baseball bat.
Gedan no kamae. The sword handle will be at your hip’s height so the tip
aims towards the opponent's feet.

Use Smoke Bombs. Smoke bombs are a classic get away technique.
4 You can either make your own smoke bombs or buy them at a store. Ask
a local marital artist if they could help you find this type of smoke bomb.
Community Q&A

Question

How can I build up my stamina?

Community Answer

Do cardio exercises, like bike riding, running or walking.

Question

Where can I get a ninja mask?

Community Answer

A ninja mask was usually a long three foot scarf or fabric that would wrap
around the head twice. You can buy this at a fabric store and make it yourself
or see if you can order one online.

Question

Can I wear an outfit on which there is a cobra to scare off people?

Community Answer

The objective is to camouflage yourself. Don't aim for looks, aim for stealth.

Question

How can I make my parents happy with my ninja techniques?

Community Answer

Call them "freestyle gymnastics moves". Do not call them "ninja techniques"
in front of your parents. If your parents do not approve of freestyle
 gymnastics, call them "free-movement techniques". Then, show off your
skills!

Question

What are good clothes to train in if I don't have a ninja suit?

Community Answer

Regular black clothes that are comfortable will do. The black is for
camouflage and the comfort so you can move quickly and easily.

Question

Can women be ninjas?

Community Answer

While samurais were just only men, ninjas can be men or women.

Question

How do I run up walls if I am 8 years old?

Community Answer

Run at the wall and place your foot as high as you can until you run up the
wall. Be careful.

Question

How could I make shurikens (throwing stars)?

Shalam Leo Chari

Community Answer

Get your metal from any hardware stores nearby and watch a video on how
to craft them.
 Question

How can I buy a weapon?

Shalam Leo Chari

Community Answer

you can go to a specialty store or pawn shop or look online for what you
want.

Question

Where can I find ninja outfits?

Community Answer

Buy one from a Halloween costume store, or shop for one online. You can
also try to make one yourself.

See more answers

Tips
To learn Taijutsu, join a Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu dojo; however a Genbukan,
Jinenkan, or Toshin-do dojo is probably fine as well, as they are also based
on Takamatsu-den Ryu-ha. If none are available, look for any dojo that
teaches Koryu Bujutsu (While these styles may not teach Taijutsu, it's
probably the closest you'll be able to get excluding those listed above).

Many practitioners of Taijutsu have black belts in other arts such as Tae Kwon
Do, Karate, Wushu, Jiujitsu, etc. Having previous martial arts experience can
be useful, but it is certainly not necessary.

Don't hold your breath while sneaking around, because when you finally
breathe, it will be louder. Breathe slowly and calmly through your nose.

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Warnings

Don't go in public places wearing a Ninja outfit. You'll be classified as a major

dork, and you may have to go to a police station to be interrogated.

The things shown here are only 10% of real ninjutsu. The rest is hidden.

References

1. http://world.time.com/2013/02/05/you-dont-know-ninjas-8-new-revelations-
about-the-shadow-warrior/slide/the-smartest-ninjas-didnt-wear-black/
2. http://www.akban.org/wiki/Yoko_aruki
3. http://www.akban.org/wiki/Yoko_aruki
4. http://www.jitsufoundation.org/Jiujitsu.asp?Page=The_Jitsu_Foundation_-
_jujitsu_history
5. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-throwing-spike-bo-shruiken/