gcav

Yes, if they were doing Hollywood movie stuff then I would say they were definitely fake. I checked on one school that claimed to be teaching ninjutsu, and within five minutes I knew they were fake. They were teaching "traditional" stances and kicks. Ninjutsu uses different "stances" than karate. But the real stuff is out there for those that seek it.

47MM - You can PM me all you want.

Water.

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I have been in law enforcement for 21 years (and still going). I have been attacked with everything you can think of and then some. One night I responded to a domestic fight in progress. I was the first one there, and since I could hear the fight still going on thru the door, I made entry without waiting for my backup. I was then promptly attacked with a glow worm. Thats right, a childs toy that lights up when you squeeze it. I "dewormed" the guy and took him down. I didn't put the glow worm in the report as it seemed a bit silly. I have also been attacked with all the standard stuff like baseball bats, broken beer bottles, chains and knives. And I've had my share of guns to deal with as well. I am glad to say that my MAs training has served me well over the years.

Shorinryu Sensei - I can assure you that authentic ninjutsu training is available in the U.S. thru the Bujinkan dojos. Soke Masaaki Hatsumi is the 34th grandmaster of the Togakuri Ryu Ninjutsu tradition. He is also the grandmaster of 8 other ninja traditions (systems) that fall under the Togakuri Ryu. His lineage can be traced from teacher to teacher all the way back to the begining. Soke Hatsumi has been declared a national treasure by the Japanese government. I don't think they would do that for some "karate guy" pretending to be ninja. The methods and techniques of ninjutsu are quite different from that of other Japanese MAs. It is obvious to the initiated as to what is real and what is fake. To become an instructor in the authentic art of Togakuri Ryu ninjutsu, you have to be a 5th dan. The grandmaster is the only person in the world that gives that test. You must travel to Japan and test before him, and if you pass, you are promoted to 5th Dan and can receive your teaching certificate. (He is the only one that gives teaching credentials as well). Once you have done this you can open your school under the Bujinkan. For those of us in ninjutsu, the history, power and beauty of the art are well known. The reason Soke Hatsumi brought ninjutsu "out of the shadows", was to save the art from extinction. It is well documented as to why, how and when he did this. You say you don't care for ninjutsu. Have you ever trained in it, or is your only exposer to the art the silly movies that have TKD guys in black suits? Of course that stuff is crap and only what Hollywood thinks people want to see. True ninjutsu is nothing like that. What style was the Okinawan master that you talked to? Has he ever been exposed to the true nature of ninjutsu or studied under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi? I have lived and trained in Asia, and I can tell you that just because they are oriental doesn't make them experts on all MAs, especially the art of ninjutsu. Ninjutsu has to be expierenced to be understood. However, as I stated in my previous post, there are a lot of fakes out there and that is why I encouraged Spaceman to use all possible means to check out and verify people claiming to be ninja. We don't advertise or seek out students, they must find us.

I encourage my students to seek out knowledge. Books are a great source of information. Just make sure the author is legit. If you are reading a book about your style and run across something different than what is taught in your school, just ask your teacher about it. I have no problems when students come up to me and ask about something they read about. You can learn a lot about the founder and leading practictioners of your art, as well as the history and philosophy behind what you are learning in class. Now, that being said, I believe that books should be used as a supplement to your actual training, not used as the sole source of information.

Unforgiven is a great movie. It makes you think on a variety of levels.

I'd train her!

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OKAYYYYYYY.

Theres not a lot of schools that have "all out full contact" sparring. The ones that do are usually "sports" with pro fighters. I know some of them that will go full out in the ring while getting ready for an important match.

The next time you spar with him, fake the kick and react to his "counter kick" by sliding in, and punching. If this is a predictable move for him, watch him while he spars with other students. Try to pick up anything that he does that "telegraphs" his intention. You can use that knowledge the next time its your turn in the circle.

As everyone has said, first see what is avialable in your area. Once you know what you *could* learn, narrow it down to what you *want* to learn. Do some online research on the styles around your area. Watch a class from each dojo/dojang. Talk to the instructors about their art, and what they are teaching the students. Talk to the students at each dojo to see what they think about the dojo, the instructors, etc. The important thing is to match the personality of the art with your personality. After you watch a training class or two, you should get a pretty good idea of what that particular school is about.

It sounds like you are doing the right things to make sure you're not "taken". I joined my first Ninjutsu club (Togakuri Ryu Budo Taijutsu as it is called now) in 1984. I don't want to be negative, but most of what passes off as "ninja" training is nothing more than TKD with the word ninja painted on the door. There is authentic ninja training available thru the Bujinkan dojos, you just have to make sure that he is afiliated with them. Personally, I would be a little suspicious about an authentic Bujinkan dojo in a garage. You are right to look into his background. It is very easy to tell if a place is legit or not. They should be able to show their lineage to the Grandmaster. Ask to see his rank certificates and teaching credentials. Most people that run Bujinkan Dojos are only 2, 3 or 4 times removed in training from the Grandmaster. They should be able to show that they are a true Bujinkan Dojo. You can go to some "known" Dojos on the web and ask questions by sending them e-mails. Check him out, and if he comes back legit, GO FOR IT. Just be careful.

I'd rather be the Green Hornet instead of the Green Power Ranger.

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Good luck.