Ok everyone. I have some good news and some bad news..The good news is: Anyone can be a ninja. The bad news? ANYONE can be a ninja, so watch out!
Before we go any further, please understand that this post is merely for entertainment/educational purposes. BUT — I promise you will learn something useful if you continue reading.
Ok, so now we can begin. How can anyone become a ninja? 6 things:
Read Bansenshukai
This is about as real as this post is gonna get. I’m serious. This book isn’t one of those ‘if a guy comes at you like this, judo throw him like this’ kind of books. If you’re truly interested in learning about what ninjutsu actually entails and what the ninja did and were prepared to do — along with their mindset, physical skills, etc..I promise you will enjoy this book. It covers everything from infiltration methods to tools, proverbs, disguises, and even astronomy (from a tactical perspective of course). If you take your time and read this book (don’t skip the ‘Correct Mindset’ chapters) you will come out with at least a much better understanding of the path of a ninja, especially if you…
Learn a little Japanese..or Chinese..or any foreign language
Anyone who can understand a substantial amount of Japanese and Chinese, especially the classical forms of those languages, is gonna lose their mind when they read the Bansenshukai because some of the knowledge is transmitted in the form of poems. The poems are translated of course, but if you try to read them directly, it will test your language skills, your background knowledge of feudal China/Japan, and you’ll have a deeper appreciation of the advice in the Bansenshukai. BUT, if you don’t, it doesn’t matter really. Any foreign language is good because it gives you a way to communicate more covertly. Even if everyone speaks your language, learn the classical version, because it might throw off other Ninja. That brings me to the next point…
Never stop paying attention
Whether you’re a ninja or not, you never know who is following you or your moves. A ninja should never be surprised. Learn the skill of paying attention without seeming to do so and at all cost, resist the temptation to stand out, prove a point, or make yourself known unless that is an intentional part of your plan. Also, do not underestimate people, because if you’re not careful, you might be the one who gets caught slipping. But remember, even a ninja’s plans can fail so you must also..
Learn how to fight AND how to escape
Now, I know where you think I’m going with this. MMA, BJJ, Thai Boxing, running, blah blah. No, you’re a trying to be a ninja, remember? You don’t have time for all that bullshit. Let me get to the point. Your mind is your strongest weapon. You don’t necessarily need to learn how ‘to fight’. If anything, you’re better off learning how to stay out of fights when possible and to use strategy and deception. That said, if it comes to it: You need to learn how to get yourself out of a pinch, when necessary.
Let me repeat that.
You need to learn how to get yourself out of a pinch, when necessary.
Learn whatever is going to suit your particular situation. Context is more important than trying to learn everything there is to know about fighting. Train with techniques you might actually have to use and train until you can do them without thought. Also, realize even the best fighter isn’t going to be able to fight out of every situation. Sometimes you need to talk, lie, or even run. Whatever it takes, ninja.
Learn and read about Strategy
Wanna put yourself in ninja company? Read about military classics, tactics, histories, and campaigns. Go beyond the Art of War and the Book of Five Rings. There are so many others like the Seven Military Classics of China or the Romance of Three Kingdoms or even philosophical classics like the Tao Te Ching. Again, the Bansenshukai will give you alot of advice here. Read old stuff, new stuff..whatever you can get your hands on. Learn to play Diplomacy (the board game) or Go as well! But always remember..
Never become too intellectual, too civil, or too soft
Always be physically prepared to act. Go for runs. Hit the gym. Go swimming. Whatever works. Read books like Hagakure. Just don’t read so much that you let your guard down and end up becoming someone else’s Ninja lunch!
