Ninjutsu to Yojutsu started off as a series of articles that ran in the Asahi Newspaper from March to June of 1909, and later collected in book format. This article served as the introduction to the series that Itoh Sensei wrote in twelve parts. This introductory article, presumably penned by the editor, was not included in the Ninjutsu to Yojutsu book published later in 1909.
●Ninjutsu Research in the Modern World
▽ Writer Mr. Itoh Gingetsu reveals many unexpected facts
▽ The research is entirely real and practical
When one thinks of Ninjutsu the image of Nikki Danjo transforming into a rat and stealing a scroll comes to mind. Or Ishikawa Goemon causing the Samurai on guard outside Hideyoshi’s room to fall asleep but then being captured due to the Chidori bird figure atop Hideyoshi’s incense burner raising the alarm. To consider that the sum of Ninjutsu would be a grave error. Through Mr. Gingetsu’s long years of diligent research, Ninjutsu has gone from something suspicious and otherworldly to a method that is firmly grounded to a certain set of physical rules. And, through those rules, a unified body acts and moves. This is the definition of true Ninjutsu.
For example, in the middle of the night, if you are attempting to avoid the light cast off by a standing metal or stone lantern as you Shinobi-komu, or sneak unnoticed into a place. The first thing you must do is consider where the lantern is located. Then note the position of the people who are attempting to see you. Judging where their eyes are, you then decide the way you will proceed. This will determine if you turn your body sideways, diagonally or otherwise. All this is firmly grounded in physical laws.
Second there is the Kimono and the items carried, their color and specifications. The length of the Katana. The proper length of the Sageo cord that attaches to the scabbard, the length and color of the multipurpose Tenugui cloth, the materials and construction of the Waraji straw sandals as well as a multitude of other details known only by Ninjutsu Sha. Further, silk was not worn as it gives off a sound as you walk so soft cotton Kimonos were preferred. A pure black dyed Kimono actually stands out at night, a black that is mixed with red must be used. Further tying a Tenugui cloth dyed with the dark ochre Suho around your head at night has the benefit of causing your head to blend in with the surrounding darkness. Another benefit is that when you have been in action for a long period of time you become thirsty. By placing the Tenugui cloth over a pool of water and sucking water through it will cause the dirt and poisons in the water to be caught and neutralized.
The Tenugui is also one of a rather longer sort in order to minimize the items carried allowing you to travel lighter. Numerous items can be wrapped up in it and carried. When scaling walls the Katana can be placed against the base of the wall and used as a step, in addition to being useful when establishing the distance between two objects. There are other interesting uses as well, therefore the distance between the pommel and the end of the scabbard has been established. The length of the blade is also established. It is somewhat shorter than usual to allow for ease during combat in confined spaces. Also the Sageo cord that is attached to the scabbard doubles as the Tsuke cord used to tie up the sleeves of the Kimono before fighting. It is used when scaling to the top of a wall. The Sageo is used to pull the Katana up from the bottom of the wall to where your body is. Thus the length of it must be particularly long. In order to deaden the noise given off by the feet, the Waraji straw sandals are, first, woven extremely tightly and, second, soaked in water before wearing.
The next set of skills consists of running, high jumping, broad jumping, rope climbing, swimming underwater, Gekken (Gekiken) sword fighting, Jujutsu and fighting in water. All are required and must be learned. In addition, special training must be done in diet, the passing of waste, how to rest as well as how to sleep.
The fourth set of skills consists of how Ninjutsu mysteries like, “Stop your eyelashes and set your eyes free.” And, “A ten thousand man army can hide at the base of a lighthouse.” can be applied to the operation of the unified body and mind and how, in turn, this can be trained. Let it be said that the methods described are not in the least bit mysterious or supernatural and comprise a system for conducting effective Tanren, or forging and conditioning of the mind and body.
In conclusion, the volume of material involved in training Ninjutsu is unexpectedly far ranging. Running fast, eating fast, defecating fast, methods of urination, how to rest, how to sleep and so on all have defining characteristics and training methods. If each of these are not trained thoroughly you will not be able to reach a high level of Ninjutsu.
To give an example, instead of walking with the body facing forward, walk with the body facing sideways is done. If this manner of walking is adopted then it is as if the distance becomes shorter. Thus, we have the Hayamichi no Ho, or the Fast Road Technique of Ninjutsu.
There are the various Ryugi, or Schools, of Ninjutsu, the Koga Ryu and the Iga Ryu. Despite the many different schools they all adhere to the same basic principles. Evidence for the fact that Ninjutsu was supported by the Bushi class can be found in the line by the poet Buson,
甲賀衆の忍びの賭や夜半の秋
Koga Shu no Shinobi no Kake Ya Yahan no Aki
Over half the long fall eve,
The men of Iga
Tested their mettle with each other
Also, in Kougai Town, part of Azabu in Tokyo there is a Kougai Bridge. Originally this was called Koga-Iga Bridge. As the story goes the area on the other side of the bridge is the area where the Men of Koga and the Men of Iga resided.
●Ninjutsu Research in the Modern World
▽ Writer Mr. Itoh Gingetsu reveals many unexpected facts
▽ The research is entirely real and practical
When one thinks of Ninjutsu the image of Nikki Danjo transforming into a rat and stealing a scroll comes to mind. Or Ishikawa Goemon causing the Samurai on guard outside Hideyoshi’s room to fall asleep but then being captured due to the Chidori bird figure atop Hideyoshi’s incense burner raising the alarm. To consider that the sum of Ninjutsu would be a grave error. Through Mr. Gingetsu’s long years of diligent research, Ninjutsu has gone from something suspicious and otherworldly to a method that is firmly grounded to a certain set of physical rules. And, through those rules, a unified body acts and moves. This is the definition of true Ninjutsu.
For example, in the middle of the night, if you are attempting to avoid the light cast off by a standing metal or stone lantern as you Shinobi-komu, or sneak unnoticed into a place. The first thing you must do is consider where the lantern is located. Then note the position of the people who are attempting to see you. Judging where their eyes are, you then decide the way you will proceed. This will determine if you turn your body sideways, diagonally or otherwise. All this is firmly grounded in physical laws.
Second there is the Kimono and the items carried, their color and specifications. The length of the Katana. The proper length of the Sageo cord that attaches to the scabbard, the length and color of the multipurpose Tenugui cloth, the materials and construction of the Waraji straw sandals as well as a multitude of other details known only by Ninjutsu Sha. Further, silk was not worn as it gives off a sound as you walk so soft cotton Kimonos were preferred. A pure black dyed Kimono actually stands out at night, a black that is mixed with red must be used. Further tying a Tenugui cloth dyed with the dark ochre Suho around your head at night has the benefit of causing your head to blend in with the surrounding darkness. Another benefit is that when you have been in action for a long period of time you become thirsty. By placing the Tenugui cloth over a pool of water and sucking water through it will cause the dirt and poisons in the water to be caught and neutralized.
The Tenugui is also one of a rather longer sort in order to minimize the items carried allowing you to travel lighter. Numerous items can be wrapped up in it and carried. When scaling walls the Katana can be placed against the base of the wall and used as a step, in addition to being useful when establishing the distance between two objects. There are other interesting uses as well, therefore the distance between the pommel and the end of the scabbard has been established. The length of the blade is also established. It is somewhat shorter than usual to allow for ease during combat in confined spaces. Also the Sageo cord that is attached to the scabbard doubles as the Tsuke cord used to tie up the sleeves of the Kimono before fighting. It is used when scaling to the top of a wall. The Sageo is used to pull the Katana up from the bottom of the wall to where your body is. Thus the length of it must be particularly long. In order to deaden the noise given off by the feet, the Waraji straw sandals are, first, woven extremely tightly and, second, soaked in water before wearing.
The next set of skills consists of running, high jumping, broad jumping, rope climbing, swimming underwater, Gekken (Gekiken) sword fighting, Jujutsu and fighting in water. All are required and must be learned. In addition, special training must be done in diet, the passing of waste, how to rest as well as how to sleep.
The fourth set of skills consists of how Ninjutsu mysteries like, “Stop your eyelashes and set your eyes free.” And, “A ten thousand man army can hide at the base of a lighthouse.” can be applied to the operation of the unified body and mind and how, in turn, this can be trained. Let it be said that the methods described are not in the least bit mysterious or supernatural and comprise a system for conducting effective Tanren, or forging and conditioning of the mind and body.
In conclusion, the volume of material involved in training Ninjutsu is unexpectedly far ranging. Running fast, eating fast, defecating fast, methods of urination, how to rest, how to sleep and so on all have defining characteristics and training methods. If each of these are not trained thoroughly you will not be able to reach a high level of Ninjutsu.
To give an example, instead of walking with the body facing forward, walk with the body facing sideways is done. If this manner of walking is adopted then it is as if the distance becomes shorter. Thus, we have the Hayamichi no Ho, or the Fast Road Technique of Ninjutsu.
There are the various Ryugi, or Schools, of Ninjutsu, the Koga Ryu and the Iga Ryu. Despite the many different schools they all adhere to the same basic principles. Evidence for the fact that Ninjutsu was supported by the Bushi class can be found in the line by the poet Buson,
甲賀衆の忍びの賭や夜半の秋
Koga Shu no Shinobi no Kake Ya Yahan no Aki
Over half the long fall eve,
The men of Iga
Tested their mettle with each other
Also, in Kougai Town, part of Azabu in Tokyo there is a Kougai Bridge. Originally this was called Koga-Iga Bridge. As the story goes the area on the other side of the bridge is the area where the Men of Koga and the Men of Iga resided.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire