The actual birth of Ninjutsu is forever lost in the annals of time, however some of the reasons that it came about are known to us.

The first record of a classical ninja-type assassination may be found in the Japanese book known as the Kojiki (annals of ancient records).  It was approximately written around the year 710 AD.  This book recounts the story of Prince Yamato who disguised himself as a geisha (professional female entertainer) with the hopes of killing two rival warlords.  The warlords were enchanted by the prince’s disguise and mannerisms that they invited him to be their guest at a feast.  During the festivities the prince assassinated both of them with a dagger he had concealed in the sleeve of his robes.

More myths and legends abound about the ninja than actual fact.  Much of this is directly attributed to the ninja who created these supernatural superman stories to ensure their survival (physical and financial) through the use of superstition.

One of these myths is that the ninja were said to have learned their art from, as well as were descendants of tengu (mountain goblins).  The famous general Minamoto no Yoshitsune was said to have learned kenjutsu (swordsmanship) as well as shinobi iri (the arts of stealth) and intonjutsu (invisibility) from tengu while visiting Iga province.  Tengu were believed to be half-man half-crow and good friends of the yamabushi (ascetic-mountain priests).  Ninja in fact came from different walks of life.  Some were ronin (masterless samurai), others bushi (employed samurai) who utilized ninjutsu tactics when they couldn't get revenge through normal channels such as dueling (47 ronin of Ako), some where yamabushi (warrior priests) who used ninja tactics.

Ninja learning the secrets of swordsmanship from tengu.

A little over a hundred years ago came about the Meiji restoration.  The class system was abolished, samurai were disarmed and the public relaesed an outcry towards the martial techniques still in use.  Most of these techniques had been used in warfare for centuries, and as such were quite barbaric and not readily acceptable with the general public.  Under the laws of the feudal system these same peasants had been the testing ground for those very techniques.  Samurai were the only ones allowed by law to train in the martial arts and to defend themselves against the sword, and very often these same noble warriors would commit tsujigiri (testing of one's sword on innocent living beings).  By law they were practically invincible.  The Tokugawa era samurai had the immunity of kiri sute gomen (ability to kill and retreat).  What this means is that a samurai could legally cut down any disrespectful member of a lower social class (farmer, artisan or merchant) without fear of official retaliation, so the resentment to the techniques is quite easily understood.

Ninjutsu for the most part died out 200-300 years ago when peace came to Japan.  Centuries of civil strife had ended and the ninja were no longer necessary.  Some clans continued on with their traditions, but most slowly died out by the end of the second world war.

Ninjutsu was not originally developed as a killing system and isn't taught as such even today.  It is in fact the art of life and living.  It was developed as an effective means of self defense which went against the ideology of the ruling samurai clans.  When used it was always warrior against warrior, never warrior against an untrained peasant as the samurai were so apt to do.  The separate ryu (clans) developed many taijutsu (empty handed) and bujutsu (weapon) techniques which were designed to for the most part defend against the samurai katana (sword).

The daimyo (regional lords) knew of the effectiveness of the ninja and started employing them as guerrilla fighters, something the samurai couldn't do because of bushido (code of honour that they lived by).

During the height of the historical ninja period (16th century) the ryus' (clans) practitioners were trained in many different aspects of the art.  Below is listed the Bugei Juhappan or 18 major categories that were studied by the ninja of the Togakure Ryu.

The BUJINKAN SEISHIN NINPO RONIN DOJO follows the direct teachings of the BUJINKAN HOMBU DOJO JAPAN (divine warrior) which is headed by Dr. Hatsumi, Masaaki.  Our school is blessed with help and guidance by one of the Bujinkan's highest ranked practitioners, Shihan Dean Rostohar 15th dan Croatia. Soke Hatsumi is head of nine different historical ninja ryu. Following is a short history of these ryu (clans):

Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu (Hidden door school)

-founded by Togakure, Daisuke   c.1165 AD -34th generation Soke: Hatsumi, Masaaki Daisuke came from a samurai family and became a ronin (masterless warrior) after a battle.  Fleeing across Japan he ended up in Togakure village where he met Kain, Doshi (also known as Kasumigakure, Doshi) and started training in ninjutsu.  Daisuke mixed his previous martial skills with the new teachings and as such Togakure ryu came into existance.  Togakure ninja were famous throughout Iga province and had three secrets.  One being the senban shaken (four pointed throwing star) which was exclusively unique to the ryu.  They also developed shuko (hand claws) and shindake (short bamboo tube) which was used as a snorkel while hiding under water and among the reeds.

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (Knocking the tiger down school)

-founded by Sakagami, Taro Kunishige  c. 1532 AD -18th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Alleged to have come from China through Korea with a Chinese warlord known as Chan Busho.  When Sakagami organized it into a proper ryu it was permanently joined with the teachings of Gyokko ryu.  Each school being passed from generation to the next through the same families as well as Soke (head of the family).  Even though each school found itself with the same leader over the centuries the knowledge was taught as of two separate styles.  Many of Japans famous ninja and samurai studied it’s techniques over the centuries.  Ninja such as the Momochi clan and Ishikawa, Goemon better known as Japans Robin Hood.  It’s techniques are based on koppojutsu (bone breaking techniques).  The Koto ryu students were famous for a technique for making their eyes and face appear blank so that no intention could be read by an opponent or potential opponent.

Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakken Taijutsu (Immovable spirit school)

-founded by Izumo, Kanja Yoshiteru  c. 1180 AD -26th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Izumo studied Chinese kempo and incorporated it with native Japanese arts thus creating the ryu.  Specialties of the ryu include shizen no kamae (natural stance) which is a highly deceptive fighting stance allowing the defender to protect himself from any attack while it appears as nothing at all.  The ryu was also noted for hojo jutsu (rope tying techniques), o no (heavy war axe), o tsuchi (large war hammers) and sojutsu (spear fighting) which they allegedly learned from tengu.

Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu (Jewelled tiger school)

-founded by Gyokko, Yo  c. 907 AD -28th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Gyokko allegedly brought the art from China.  Gyokko ryu was studied by most of Japans famous ninja and samurai along with the teachings from Koto ryu.  It’s  techniques are based on koshijutsu (muscle and organ tearing techniques) which are utilized together with kyusho (pressure points) on the human anatomy.

Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu (Nine demons school)

-founded by Izumo, Kanja Yoshiteru  c. 1180 AD -26th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Alleged to have come from China.  In Japan it was based in Kumano province, located along Japan’s coast.  Being a coastal ryu it incorporated many weapons not seen in other ninja schools such a toami (fisherman’s net), kaginawa (grappling hook used for capturing ships), bisento (heavy war halberd) and were known across Japan for their skills in all manner of bojutsu (stick fighting).  Kuskishinden ryu came from Kukishin ryu.  It is from this ryu that both Judo’s  founder Kano, Jigoro and Aikido’s Ueshiba, Morihei studied (as well as many other more mainstream ryu) before founding their respective martial arts.

Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu (Truth, loyalty and justice school)

-founded by Gikanbo, Unryu Hangan  c. 1558 AD -15th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Gikanbo was said to be a very highly skilled martial artist.  Kuden (oral transmissions) tell of Gikanbo  having such skill that he snapped a katana in two pieces with a single punch.  Specialties of the ryu include complex footwork patterns as well as secret throws, kicks and punches.

Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (High tree, raised heart school)

-founded by Takagi, Oriuemon Shigenobu  c. 1653 AD -17th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Takagi was a samurai and started learning martial arts at the age of 16.  In his 20th year he received a menkyo kaiden (full teachers licence).  Takagi also founded the Hontai Yoshin Jujutsu Ryu which is quite popular in modern times.  An old saying of the ryu is “The willow bends under a heavy wind, but doesn’t bend when there is no wind present.”  Specialties of the ryu include using the opponent’s own balance and weight against them.  Nagewaza (throws) of the ryu do not allow the attacker to escape with a breakfall from the techniques.

Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo (Hiding in the clouds school)

-founded by Iga, Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga  c. 1550 AD -14th generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Iga was a leading figure in the Iga ninja ryu.  His blood line gave birth to one of Japans greatest ninja Hattori, Hanzo.  Hattori was so skilled in stealth techniques he earned the name  “The Ghost”.  Specialties of the ryu include the kamayari (hooked spear) as well as the demon mask, used to frighten the superstitious into believing the ninja were demons or tengu (goblins).  The ninja of this ryu were also very adept at jumping techniques during fighting situations.

Gyokushin Ryu Ninjutsu (Immovable heart school)

-founded by Sasaki, Goemon Teruyoshi -21st generation Soke Hatsumi, Masaaki Sasaki was a samurai who first studied Gyokko ryu koshijutsu and earned a position as clan instructor to the Takeda clan.  Specialties of the ryu include sutemi waza (sacrifice techniques).  Gyokushin ninja were well known across Japan for their skill in espionage.