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Translation: Togakure-ryu Ninpo Taijutsu

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Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Togakure-ry Ninp Taijutsu

Written by Masaaki Hatsumi, Translated by Luke Crocker

Ninp Taijutsu no hi (Secret principles of concealed body mechanics;

)

!!

Ninp Taijutsu is all things found in nature.1 All the things in the universe without limit or all of
creation,2 this also includes existence and non-existence.3 In considering existence and non-existence
(Mu-u; ), understand that mu () is not always written with the character for nothing but is
sometimes written with the character for martial being (Mu-u; ), when expressed this way the
secret of mental vitality of the ninja becomes even more essential.

The secrets of ninp taijutsu from the ancient traditions are to be revealed here, though without
looking at the shadow that is cast here, the deepest principles of the nature of ninp taijutsu will not be
grasped. That taijutsu consists of Tongy no jutsu,4 tree escape, fire escape, earth escape, metal escape,
water escape, human escape, bird escape, beast escape, insect escape, fish escape, which is to be the
thirty methods5 of heaven, earth, and man,6 and in duality.7

1
Shinra Bansh All things in Nature; the whole of creation.
2
Bany all things; all creation; universal.
3
Mu-u non-existence and existence; absence or presence.
4
Tongy no jutsu Technique of Escaping Forms
5
Sanjh no kata Thirty methods of forms
6
Tenchijin Heaven, Earth, and Man
7
Omote Ura Outside and Inside; the obvious and subtle; Overt and Covert

1
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Tenton (Heaven Escape)

Romanji Kanji English
Nitton Sun Escape
Getton Moon Escape
Seiton Star Escape
Unton Cloud Escape
Muton Mist Escape
Raiton Thunder Escape
Denton Lightning Escape
Fton Wind Escape
Uton Rain Escape
Seiton Snow Escape
Chiton (Earth Escape)
Romanji Kanji English
Mokuton Tree Escape
Ston Grass Escape
Katon Fire Escape
Enton Smoke Escape
Muton Mist Escape
Doton Earth Escape
Okuton House Escape
Kinton Metal Escape
Sekiton Stone Escape
Suiton Water Escape
Tton Water Spring Escape
Jinton (Human Escape)
Romanji Kanji English
Danton Male Escape
Joton Female Escape
Rton Old man Escape
Yton Infant Escape
Kiton Valued Possession Escape
Senton Poverty Escape
Kinton Bird Escape
Jton Beast Escape
Chton Insect Escape
Gyoton Fish Escape

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Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Furthermore there is the seven ways and three methods of hens taijutsu8, the ningu of Kyojitsu Issen,9
Metsubushi,10 breaking the nerves,11 restraint from taking life, by chanting the kuji you restrain with
gakoraitsha akumafud12 or the kuji goshin tsriki teki taisan shmetsu13 to send the enemy
fleeing. Open both eyes, behold the Sanzu River14 during the equinox, in order to be able to acquire the
dragons eyes. This is the reason why I have the name Venerable White Dragon.15 Uttering the
expression Goshin chinkon teki reibaku eimin16 and observing the shinobis dream Nirvana is
achieved!!

Kb Jizai (Attack and Defend Freely; )

()

()

-+

8
Hens taijutsu Changing the appearance of the body
9
Kyojitsu Issen Suddenly interchanging truth and falsehood
10
Metsubushi Crushing the eyes
11
Kimo o tsubushi Crushing the nerves; element of surprise
12
Gakoraitsha Akumafud I always fight the malignant demons without moving
13
Goshin-ts ka teki taisan shmetsu protecting the self, my authority sends the enemy
fleeing into extinction
14
Sanzu no kawa The Buddhist equivalent to the River Styx, river to the afterlife
15
Hakury- Venerable White Dragon; The martial name of Masaaki Hatsumi.
16
Goshin chinkon teki reibaku eimin Protect the repose of enemy souls bound for their final
rest

3
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

I have inherited nine traditions of bud and have disciplined17 myself through them, regardless the end
result is the same. This end result is not limited to bud, in any way, the goal is the same. When the dj
is full of students, I have said the following. Kb (Kkai Shnin18) would not choose where he painted
nor the brush he would use. A slip of the brush is not easily forgiven on the battlefield. Thus, one
should perform keiko19 with many people packed together. Whether it is the body mechanics, sword,
staff techniques, or anything. Attack and defend freely. Consider the brush (fude; ) to be the hand of
fortune (fude; ).

There is the godan promotion test in the Bujinkan. Those subject to the test must close their
eyes, a shinai is then swung down at them from behind and they must perceive the attack and avoid it.
When considering this test, think of the Ukiyoe20 master of the early Edo period, Hishikawa Moronobu21
created a print called A Beauty looking over her shoulder.22 A photographer who would shoot photos
of horses had something similar to say. When you take a picture of a horse, and point the camera at the
horse, it has been my personal observation, that they sense the camera, and does not pose in a natural
way. So the photographer would face away, relying on his intuition, and look over his shoulder to take a
picture of the horse in a natural posture. Thus, he was able to take a picture of the horse in its
wonderfully natural appearance.

Now Fumetsu no Fuse23, Shind no Jikai24, Shizen no Ninniku25, Shizen no Chetsu26, Kmy no
Satori these are the five treasures of kokorogamae28 as are written in the Tatara Hibun with which
27

it is not possible to reach enlightenment without. As I was told by Matsusuke Shirane Sensei for whom I
have great respect for, Giving is receiving is the key to the beginnings to the hiden. There was a time
when the cold war engulfed the entire world. Now Global warming is polarizing the worlds climate,
accentuating the cold and hot, there is repeated political change occurring, Nature is warning us.

17
Tanren To temper like a forge. Here Masaaki Hatsumi has used this term because it is also the term used
in reference to the conditioning exercises found in Togakure-ry ninp, which includes hardening the body using
trees, stones and climbing methods.
18
Holy Priest Kkai 774-835
19
Keiko The other word included in Shugy and crucial to every person who practice Kory, is the word
Keiko (). Here again these two Kanji do not express the action of practice. Many scrolls use this word, but the
one that uses it in a wide meaning is the scroll from Kit-ry jjutsu. These two kanji can be read as inishie wo
kangaeru , which can be translated as thinking about the past , reflecting about/on the past , meditating
on the past, in history , Pondering about the history, the past . In other words, this means that the disciple
must, think, search and research how the masters and founders of the past used to practice use their body, for
which different reasons, aspects, concealed and hidden factors behind each technique, movement and kanji of
the scroll. (Zoughari)
20
Ukiyoe Color print of everyday life in Edo period. And emphasis that it is in color here.
21
Hishikawa Moronobu 1618-1694
22
Mikaeri Bijin Beautiful Woman Looking Back can be seen here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beauty_looking_back.jpg
23
Fumetsu no Fuse Offerings without being depleted
24
Shind no Jikai The true way of Buddhas precepts
25
Shizen no Ninniku Natural Forbearance
26
Shizen no Chetsu Natural Transcendence
27
Komy no Satori Comprehending Brilliance
28
These also appear in Buddhism and are called Goj (Treasures of Enlightenment; )

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Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Taijutsu to Ninja (Body Mechanics and the Ninja; )

In this 5th chapter, concerning Togakure-ry ninp taijutsu, this content will be written just as it
is in the manuscripts, in pertaining to ninp taijutsu, I feel that it has transcended the extreme limits of
taijutsu. The doctrine of one principle of endurance29 in taijutsu, changes to ten-thousand principles of
endurance in taijutsu and this points the way to transcendence. Therefore, it seems that this is why the
great shinobi book compilation the Bansenshukai (Ten-Thousand Rivers Meet in the Sea) remains. It is
also amusing to perceive the poison of this book as Bansenshukai (Ten-Thousand Battles make for an
Ugly Conclusion).

For Banka Ninp Taijutsu30, the enlightenment of Kihon Happ31 is to be viewed and understood
as Banka Kihon Happ.32 And of course Kosshijutsu, Koppjutsu, and Ninp Taijutsu as well as
establishing Bushinwa,33 This is the Divine Skills of Ninp Taijutsu.

Not a single practitioner of ninjutsu should be unskilled in taijutsu, however there is great
variation in the practice of taijutsu between the different rygi. In Togakure-ry taijutsu the enemy
stands in front while my hands make contact with the tatami, my right hand makes contact with the
enemys body and I than kick up into the enemys chest with both feet kicking up, with a single rotation
back come to a standing position. From here begins a kick into the chin. In the same way roll back and
come to a standing position. To conclude make contact without touching with the hands, kick the chest

29
Here Ninp is translated as Principles of Endurance because in Buddhism, the kanji is used to refer to
the underlying principles of the universe, sometimes even doctrine is used, while method is a borrowed, or
even literary derivative of this character.
30
Banka Ninp Taijutsu The many variations of the principles of valor applied to bio-mechanics.
31
Kihon Happ Eight principles applied to the fundamentals.
32
Banka Kihon Happ The unconventional basis of the Eight Principles in Variation.
33
Bushinwa Harmony in the Martial Mind

5
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

or jaw with a kiai, roll back and stand. Gradually practice, with tools in both hands and kiai all together
with a firm composure you will aspire and expand to the ceiling of the dj.

Kamae (Attitude; )
Ichi no Kamae (Attitude of a straight Line; )34
Hira Ichimonji no Kamae (Attitude of a Flat Straight Line; )35
Hachimonji no Kamae (Attitude of the Figure Eight; )36
Happgakure no Kamae (Attitude of Concealment in Eight Directions; )37
Tons no Kamae (Attitude of Escaping; )38

Taijutsu Ukemi Gata (Forms of Receiving with Body Mechanics;

)39
Kaeshi Dori (Bird Reversal; )

The opponent comes in with an itt to cut from Daijdan. Suddenly drop to a prone position.
Turnover and kick up into the enemys suigetsu with both feet and use that movement to return
to a standing position. Zanshin.

Ken Nagare (Flowing Fist; )

The opponent comes in with a dait to cut in from Daijdan. Suddenly drop into a form of prone
position, strike into suigetsu with the right fist, stand by using a form where you drop and rotate
once in reverse. Zanshin.

34
Ichi no kamae is described in the kata Ichi no kamae in Taijutsu Ukemi Gata.
35
Hira Ichimonji no kamae is the same as Kot-ry, Takagi Yshin-ry, Kukishinden-ry, and Shinden Fud-ry.
36
Hachimonji no kamae appears like Doko no kamae found in Kumogakure-ry, or the henka of Hachiku no kamae
of Gikan-ry. However the rear, upraised arm has the hand open.
37
Happ Gakure no kamae is the same as Hok no kamae from Kot-ry or Shiten no kamae of Gikan-ry.
38
Tons no kamae has the leg position of Ichi no kamae, the body is profile, and the hands are ready to manipulate
concealed weapons. Tons is a stance indicating an intention to flee backwards, with the right leg to the front and
the body turned to the left, although backwards can also be written with the kanji implying a crossover way.
(Hatsumi, The Way of the Ninja 170)
39
The important thing in these taijutsu forms is that you remain free to attack or defend (Kbjizai; )
within the ukemi. This awareness of ukemi is quite different of that found in jd or aikid: you can only learn the
ukemi gata of shinobi, survival-based taijutsu once you know the ukemi of the natural world. (Hatsumi, The Way
of the Ninja 76)

6
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Ichi no Kamae (Attitude of the straight line; )40

This kamae is from hira no kamae41 but with a left handed fist. This kamae has both legs spread
and the right shut forward at the left shoulder. In this kamae when the enemy gets closer,
change and strike into the enemy.

Itt Dori (Single Sword Capture; )42

Here the opponent has a dait, in daijdan. I am in Ichi no kamae with left and right [hands]
spread. The enemy comes to cut in. Receive with the left palm, the right hand immediately flies
up into the enemys face.

Yoko Geri (Kicking to the side; )

The enemy is in seigan no kamae with a dait, I am in hira Ichimonji no kamae, the enemy
changes to come in with a tsuki. Drop the body to the left, kick up with the right foot into the
forearm that has the sword, the right strikes into suigetsu.

Itt Giri (Single Sword Cut; )

The enemy is in Daijdan with a dait, I am in seigan no kamae with the itt. As the enemy
comes in drop the body, evade to the left, with the itt from the lower left cut up in reverse to
the enemys right torso.

40
Ichi no kamae (the stance of one) includes a stance of minus one, a stance of plus one, a stance of zero, and
so on. This is connected with Jupp Sessh no Jutsu. (Hatsumi, The Way of the Ninja 82)
41
Hira no kamae Neutral Attitude as found in Gyokko-ry kosshijutsu.
42
Itt-Tori Hich no kamae (): Hich no kamae emerges from Itt-tori: a phoenix flies up
from under the blade. (Hatsumi, The Way of the Ninja 84)

7
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Shinobi Gaeshi Gata (Covert Reversal Forms; )43

Chgaeshi (Prone Reversal; )

The enemy approaches from the front while near the wall or fence of an estate. Hook the wall
with both hands, the left elbow also hooks, use the reaction of pulling with the right hand to
nimbly raise into a prone position.

Ch Dori (Prone Capture; )

Become horizontal as before, the enemy approaches the fence from below, suddenly and
nimbly turn the body, with both feet kick into the enemys face, turn and roll into the inside of
the wall.

Sora Tobi (Sky Leaping; )

Leap onto a large branch of a tree and use the recoil to leap up to another large branch, the left
hand flies up to a second branch, the feet reach the large tree simultaneously, the right hand
deals with throwing teppan.

Yoko Nagari (Flowing to the Side; )

The opponent in front has a dait in Daijdan. There is a yari in Chdan behind, just as the sakki
reaches its peak kiai and throw a stone44 with the right hand, and drop the body sideways to the
left.45

43
Shinobi counters are used when ninja perform shinobi techniques, when their techniques are discovered, or
when they deliberately reveal their techniques as a ploy. When a ninja is in hiding hiding his body, his art, and his
heart close encounters with the unknown may cause a flash of shinobi inspiration to be transformed into a
shinobi counter-technique. One can savor a strange sense of the cycle of rebirth in this process. (Hatsumi, The
Way of the Ninja 141)
44
I launch a full kiai at him, together with metsubushi from my right hand (this is a shadow kiai, executed when
you feel one with nature). (Hatsumi, The Way of the Ninja 144)
45
Placing my weight on my right leg, I turn and fall. (Anyone can do this noisily; the secret is to train so that you
can do it silently.) (Hatsumi, The Way of the Ninja 144)

8
Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Ushiro Nagare (Flowing to the Rear; )

()

The enemy comes in from three sides with dait and yari. Throw fragments of small pebbles (or
metsubushi46 inside eggs) to the front, immediately drop and flow backward without sound, to
escape.

Hiden Gata (Forms of Secret Transmission; )

Ch Gaeshi (Middle Reversal; )

When the enemy approaches from the rear, perform chgaeri forward without making any
sound. Initially the hands can be used however, but this must be done without the use of the
hands.

Yoko Gaeshi (Side Reversal; )

Same as before but with a roll to the side.

Tobi Chigai (To Leap away; )

Perform chgaeri and then with shuk47 leap into a large tree.

Itt Nage (Single-sword throw; )

In a time of facing certain death, throw the itt from the left side straight into the enemy.

46
Metsubushi Damaging the eyes.
47
Shuk also pronounced tekagi, refers to having hooks on the hands.

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Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Senban Nage (Iron Plate Throwing; )

Senban nage.48 For this nine teppan are placed on the left hand, grasp one at a time with the
right hand, from the left side throw it forward with yoko nage. Line up the right wrist with the
enemy in front, throw with the feeling of flicking from the wrist. In the beginning practice
throwing business cards.

The berating is the same as in itt nage.

Kiri Gaeshi (Reverse Cut; )

If both sides are in equal positions with itt, you should always be in the attitude of naka
seigan,49 when the enemy cuts in with a kiai do the same, turn over the wrist and thrust out, the
secret sword is to reverse the cut into the body.

Sutemi (Self-sacrifice; )

When you are met by a crowd of enemies, although you may renounce the world,50 with
kyojitsu thrust out in a straight line at the captain, actually cut the weak people in the crowd, in
this way tear through their form and escape with sutemi.51

48
Senban living plate
49
Naka seigan Middle Blue Eyes
50
Shashin Renouncing the flesh of the world; becoming a priest; risking ones life for others (Buddhist term).
(Noun) At the risk of ones life. Also known as Sutemi.
51
Sutemi also contains a sense of moving as though empty handed, even while holding a sword. (Hatsumi, The
Way of the Ninja 152)

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 Luke Crocker Togakure-ry CMARA

Works Cited
Hatsumi, Masaaki. Bud Taijutsu (). Trans. Luke Crocker. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd.,
2008.

. The Way of the Ninja. 1st edition. Tokyo: Kodasha Internatonal, 2004. Book.

Zoughari, Kacem. New interview with Dr. Kacem Zoughari on kory, ninjutsu and practice Martial Arts
Magazine. 6 February 2012. http://sanbyoshi.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/12/.

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