7 Differences between Natural vs Body Conditioning Development

VIDEO: Incredible ninjutsu techniques used by the pros!

The stances used in these forms are long and deep, the movements big and smooth. Old (koryu) styles like Muso Shinden Ryu or Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu tend to have a more combative focus and thus the stances are higher, natural, and mobile.  According to the belief, the kihon happo are really a set of 8 fundamental techniques. The idea is that there are eight, preset techniques that have been passed down from past masters as “the” basis of everything that we do in ninpo and budo taijutsu.

And, the belief is wrong!

I say this because, the lesson of kihon happo points to a concept, not a set of kata. And, because when translated from the Japanese language, kihon happo DOES NOT mean, “8 Basic Techniques.” When translated from Japanese, kihon happo really means…

Students new to the art of ninpo-taijutsu, “the ninja’s body art,” are introduced to a set of eight techniques. These techniques are collectively known as the kihon happo – the 8 fundamentals. These basic ninja techniques provide the lessons that you will need to lay a strong and proper foundation, not just in the ninja’s self-protection methods, but in your progress to higher and deeper levels of mastery.

HAPPO is typically translated as “8 ways.” The word itself, however, is written with two kanji characters. One, the word: hachi, or the number “eight”; and the other ho (po), for “methods” or “ways.”

But, when you understand the deeper meanings used when the word “ho” is added to any number, you get a very different idea altogether. And, while the term KIHON HAPPO can, indeed be taken with the basic translation of “eight techniques,” it really implies so much more.

So much more, in fact, that once you learn the secret…

If you really want to master the ninja’s art, you must understand how progress through the mastery levels is different within ninjutsu than it is in the more conventional and “popular” sport martial arts. In fact, this is critical to your eventual development to not just wearing a black belt, but in being able to think, live, and act like a real ninja.

Yondan – 4th degree (“level 4”) – Here, the student seems to break the laws of physics as he or she slips into the perfect position that causes the assailant’s attack to backfire against him. Here, the ninja student finds the eye in the proverbial hurricane that allows him to access his attacker’s targets, while simultaneously making it almost impossible for the opponent to return fire.

One of the interesting things about the principal of Breaking Balance is that it underlines the rich vein of strategy that runs throughout Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu does not aim to pit strength against strength, rather it seeks to undermine the advantages of the opponent and create openings that play to the strengths of the victim. In this way, a “weaker” opponent can beat a “stronger” one!