Ninjutsu Hiketsu Bun (Essence of Ninjutsu)

by Toshitsugu Takamatsu

The essence of all martial arts and military strategies is

self-protection and the prevention of danger. Ninjutsu epitomizes the

fullest concept of self-protection of not only the physical body, but the

mind and spirit as well. The way of the ninja is the way of enduring,

surviving, and prevailing over all that would destroy one. More than merely

delivering strikes and slashes, and deeper in significance than the simple

out-witting of an enemy; ninjutsu is the way of attaining that which we need

while making the world a better place. The skill of the ninja is the art

of winning.

In the beginning study of any combative martial art, proper motivation

is crucial. Without the proper frame of mind, continuous exposure to

fighting techniques can lead to ruin instead of self-development. But this

fact is not different from any other beneficial practice in life carried to

extremes. Medical science is dedicated to the betterment of health and the

relief of suffering, and yet the misuse of drugs and the exultation of the

physician's skills can lead people to a state where an individual's health

is no longer within his or her personal control. A nutritious well-balanced

diet works to keep a person alive, vital, and healthy, but grossly

over-eating, over-drinking, or taking in too many chemicals is a sure way

to poison the body. Governments are established to oversee the harmonious

interworking of all parts of society, but when the rulers become greedy,

hungry for power, or lacking in wisdom, the country is subjected to

needless wars, disorder, or civil and economic chaos. A religion, when

based on faith developed through experience, a broad and questing mind, and

an unflagging pursuit of universal understanding, is of inspiration and

comfort to people. Once a religion loses its original focus, however, it

becomes a deadly thing with which to deceive, control, and tax the people

through the manipulation of their beliefs and fears. It is the same with

the martial arts. The skills of self-protection, which should provide a

feeling of inner peace and security for the marial artist, so often

develop without a balance in the personality and lead the lesser martial

artist into warped realms of unceasing conflict and competition which

eventually consume him.

If an expert in the fighting arts sincerely pursues the essence of

ninjutsu, devoid of the influence of the ego's desires, the student will

progressively come to realize the ultimate secret for becoming

invincible - the attainment of the 'mind and eyes of the divine.' The

combatant who would win must be in harmony with the scheme of totality, and

must be guided by an intuitive knowledge of the playing out of fate. In

tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and

following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja

captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he

must conquer and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must

acquiesce. The vast universe, beautiful in its coldly impersonal totality,

contains all that we call good and bad, all the answers for all the

paradoxes we see around us. By opening his eyes and his mind, the ninja

can responsively follow the subtle seasons and reasons of heaven, changing

just as change is necessary, adapting always, so that in the end there is

no such thing as surprise for the ninja.