Ninjutsu vs. Jujutsu

[White Warlock]

hmm, maybe someone should take a little time to explain just who were ninja.

They were these short guys, with fuzzy navels and ruddy brown complexions. I was informed, by a very reputable source, that they drank napalm and urinated on the corpses of onis, as well as occasionally bathed in the dandruff of celestial dragons.

 

Seriously though, unfortunately because of over 300 years in which the study of surreptitious warfare was banned in Japan, there's really so very little go by. Even Turnbull, a reputable historian, was unable to garner enough information to present more than a questionable insight into their history. But, what is important to note, is that the mystique and legend far overshines the fact. Historical records, what little there is, clearly indicate that ninjas failed far more often than succeeded and that legend presented a far more encouraging track record.

 

That is not to say they were ineffective, only that they were not as effective as they are often posed as being. Regardless, their value was recognized and their successes were sufficient as to motivate diamyos to encourage their use against one another. After all, warfare is warfare and a smart general utilizes whatever means necessary to accomplish the endgoal, whatever that may be at the time.

 

Anyway, what truly matters is this. If you obtain the element of surprise, and present the more robust of armaments (i.e., a gun to a knife fight, as opposed to a crayon at a gun fight), you will far more likely succeed than someone who walks in ill-prepared and carrying a neon-sign (such as a black ninja suit) that says, "i'm here to kill you."

 

Really, that's all there is to understand.

[SevenStar]

ninjas are mammals, and are known to flip out and kill people. Ninjas are totally sweet.

[Treebranch]

Do some research, then believe what you like. That's how it is with anything more than 500 years old or so. There simply isn't enough accurate information about it. The Ryu that still exist is a pretty good indication that Ninjas existed. Maybe they were not called Ninja, but they were specialist in espionage, stealth and warfare. I don't think it's so hard to believe that people like this existed in those times where war and fighting were commonplace.

[judoka86]

Traditional ninjutsu (current leader:34th soke of the Bujinkan Massakki Hatsumi) is the art of winning. Now dont get skeptical! Listen! Ninjutsu takes advantage of everything on the human body and uses the environment to the practitioners advantage. Things like knee level kicks, stomp kicks, eyegouges, pressurepoints, chokeholds etc are prevalent in Bujinkan Ninjutsu. The 9 schools of the Bujinkan are the basis for the Ninjutsu traditions. Ninjas are taught to more or less fight cheap and dirty to accomplish their mission. Hitting from behind, psyching out their enemies were key in good Ninjutsu. A common psychout of today is "Hey, look over there" the same set of rules apply. Fake and strike with something completely different. Well, I could go on for awhile but I have to compare this to Jujutsu. Jujutsu was what spawned Ninjutsu. Ninjas took their knowledge of Jujutsu and other fighting styles, and mixed it with SunTzu's "Art of War". Jujutsu has a lot of similiarites with Ninjutsu. They arent identical. Jujutsu is nore heavily based into hand to hand fighting because the concept of "Ju" has nothing to do with haveing a higher mindset than that of his opponent. "Ju" is supplemess, softness, pliability. It teaches to take the low ground and take advantage of the opponents mind rather than their muscle. Any barbarian with a weapon can take advantage of muscle, but a skilled Jujutsuka doesnt need a weapon because they have the skills necessary to use only their hands. Sure a weapon is all fine and good, but it is only an extension of your hands. Jujutsu and Ninjutsu are similiar but not identical!

[wolfman]

Did any body see a special on the Discovery Channel about Martial arts that featured ninjitsu. I saw it a few months ago, I think it was ninjitsu anyway, this old japanese grandmaster guy was training a bunch of students in japan and demonstrating his ninja techs for the filmmakers. He also showed off some equipment like the tree claw thing and throwing knives.

 

One of my favorite demonstrations was when he jumped out of a tree, about 4 or 5 feet high, in front of two of his students. Everyone was dressed in ninja gear. And he crushed a smoke bomb thing in his hand and swung it in front of the two guys' faces. All the smoke got in their faces and blinded them. I think he dodged an initial attack by rolling before he demonstrated cutting his students with two swipes of his sword. I thought it was very cool. He was teaching his students all sorts of weapons and stuff. Pretty impresive training

[Treebranch]

Yeah, that was great. That was Tanemura of the Genbukan. He is the real deal and very talented. He was a student of the late Takamatsu. Those guys were really well trained.

[Jbone1]

Ninjas are off the hook. I plan on getting the training one day.

[NRoNiMoD]

No offense, but the Navy Seals get their butts kicked in almost every military simulation they participate in.

 

Really? Where did you here this?

 

I recognize that the US military is embarrassed to tell you that, but they have war games versus the Canadian military every year and lose every single time. It's not that they're a bad military, just that they are heavily mechanized, designed for wide-open desert fighting, and that doesn't mesh well with special forces.

 

I heard about it too so IT is true. !!!! American are not polyvalent Canadians are. Doesn't mean that american are bad

[markusan]

but Australians have much stronger beer(oh..and the SAS)

[aefibird]

*cough* that's Britain, actually...