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new millennium ninja the secret art |
Entering the 34th Grandmaster’s training hall is an experience. The eyes are greeted by paintings, pictures, green tatami, and a huge assortment of exotic weapons. Near the ceiling on the far wall, shrines are dedicated to the ancestors of the nine martial lineages the grandmaster inherited from his teacher. He is a ninja. His name is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. A medical doctor in the science of bone setting, and a master in the art of Koppojutsu . . . the warrior science of smashing the bones and attacking the sensitive points of the human body. He is a living paradox. The Grandmaster acts in a relaxed and carefree manner, not like a wizard casting spells or a drill sergeant training his men to die for a cause. He is light, quick, and smooth with conversation, at times even a comedian. Our meeting seemed destined to take place as Hatsumi Sensei spontaneously hands us a recent photograph of himself posing with his awards from the Imperial Family. An honor that has been bestowed upon less than one hundred people since the close of WWII. The royalty of Japan not only recognized Dr. Hatsumi as a true grandmaster of a ninja tradition but as the only living one left in the world. But to him it is more important to lead a simple life than to be overly concerned with history and tradition. He stresses the essence of the art of the ninja, a way of life with rules like any other. The rules of the ninja are simple: * The ninja’s primary goal is to use the art to gain entry into enemy territory, gather as much information as possible to prepare a strategy and return without ever being detected. * The ninja should always strive for righteousness through acts of justice and reflect on the betterment of his soul for his teacher and parents. These are the rules the ninja must live by, 900 years ago and today. Of course pupils do not train as intensively today as their predecessors in the Iga and Koga areas of Japan during the long periods of civil war, but the essence of the teachings from the many masters is readily applicable to today, nearly a thousand years later. To master the art of Ninjutsu and remain healthy (physically and mentally) all pupils must abide by these rules. Those who break them will surely lead themselves to the grave or go insane. The grandmaster often compares his art to the sciences. Just as drugs can be used to hurt or heal and technology can create or destroy, so too can the ninja’s art be misused for personal gain or a desire for adventure. During our break for tea, Hatsumi Sensei sat with the Tokyo Journal for an interview. No prepared speeches or preplanned thoughts. Relaxed with a microphone in front of him the master smiles away full of confidence. He is used to this by now with tens of thousands of practitioners worldwide. Being interviewed and photographed is a regular part of life. tj: Sensei is it true that you are the last true Ninjutsu grandmaster in the world? tj: Why did this come to be? Why did many samurai styles survive while Ninjutsu almost died out forever? Was it all the wars in Japanese history? tj: How did the three ninja schools of the nine martial art lineages you head now survive this period of peace? tj: So it is important not to teach the martial arts or Ninjutsu as one’s living or profession? tj: How is your Bujinkan Dojo different from the other martial arts out there today? tj: Did you study many other martial arts before you met your grandmaster, Takamatsu Sensei? tj: Was Takamatsu Sensei famous? tj: Did Takamatsu Sensei fight in World War II? tj: Was his intention to go to China to make money? tj: Some say he was a spy? tj: Now you have many students across the world, what do you see for the future of your tradition? tj: Congratulations on your awards from the Imperial Family!? tj: Are non-Japanese pupils allowed to study your art even to the deepest levels? tj: The last question is not directly concerned with the martial arts, but what do you think about the future of mankind? Will mankind be able to endure and survive the next 1000 years? Nuclear War? Chemical Weapons? Pollution of the planet? |