Ninjutsu
忍術
Ninjutsu (忍術, "art of stealth") encompasses the martial traditions of Japan's shinobi (忍び, ninja). Training covers unarmed combat — taijutsu (体術) — weapons, stealth — onshinjutsu (隠身術) — and survival skills. The Bujinkan and Genbukan are the largest modern organizations.
AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies
Ninjutsu offers a unique martial path that goes beyond combat — bugei (武芸) — to include strategy — heiho (兵法) — awareness, and adaptability. It appeals to those fascinated by Japan's warrior traditions.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Taijutsu (体術, unarmed striking, locks, and throws)
Stealth and evasion — onshinjutsu (隠身術) and inton-jutsu (隠遁術, escape techniques)
Traditional weapon arts — kenjutsu (剣術, sword), bojutsu (棒術, staff), shurikenjutsu (手裏剣術, throwing blades)
Breakfalls — ukemi (受身) — and rolling — kaiten (回転) — from any position
Awareness and environmental strategy — chikiri (地理, terrain knowledge)
Your First Class
Wear a black gi or athletic clothing. Expect basic strikes, rolls, and breakfalls, along with partner techniques involving wrist locks and throws. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Ninjutsu
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)
Miyamoto Musashi is Japan's most famous swordsman, known for his undefeated record in 61 duels and his dual-wielding technique. His treatise "The Book of Five Rings" remains one of the most influential texts on martial arts strategy, studied by practitioners and business leaders alike.
Masaaki Hatsumi
Toshitsugu Takamatsu
Stephen K. Hayes
Related Styles
Jiu-Jitsu
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu — jujutsu (柔術, "gentle art") — is the original grappling art of the samurai (侍), encompassing nage-waza (投技, throws), kansetsu-waza (関節技, joint locks), osae-waza (抑え技, pins), and atemi (当身, strikes). It is the ancestor of Judo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Aikido
Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art focused on redirecting an attacker's energy through joint locks and throws. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, it emphasizes harmony and non-resistance.
Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu (剣術, "sword technique") refers to the classical Japanese sword arts — koryu (古流, old-school traditions) — practiced by samurai (侍). Unlike Kendo, it uses wooden bokken (木剣) or blunted steel swords and focuses on partner kata (型) preserving battlefield techniques.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga (קרב מגע, "contact combat") is an Israeli self-defense system developed for the IDF — Tzahal (צה"ל). It focuses on real-world threat neutralization using instinctive movements, simultaneous defense-and-attack — haganah v'hatakafah (הגנה והתקפה) — and aggression under stress.
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