I will begin by telling you a story of the sun goddess Amaterasu Ohmikami. This sun goddess was the most respected god in all of the heavens. Ohmikami had a brother who possessed a very violent temper and attitude; this disappointed the sun goddess. Deeply offended, she entered a cave and had the entrance sealed with a gigantic rock. Her actions left the Heavens and the Earth in complete darkness and disorder. Since this continued everyday, the people began to suffer crop failures and thieves plundered the countryside.  When the other gods seen this chaos they knew a plan must be made. The first plan was to gather all the roosters in the village and place them in front of the cave. When the roosters began to cry at dawn out of habit that ritual would make Ohmikami emerge from the cave to start the new day from a subconscious instinct.

This plan failed and the world remained in darkness. The gods new the next plan must be more complex, so they sought the help of a prophet. The prophet used a shoulder bone from a deer located on Mount Ama no Kaguyama. A circular cross section was baked with the bark of a red cherry tree. They believed that the marks left on the bones could determine the future, and the outcome could then be detected. The signs looked good so they proceeded with the plan. The strategy consisted of decorated shrines with blue hemp rope and large colored stones. One of the gods was to pray out loud and with complete dedication. The beautiful goddess of dance Ame no Uzume no Mikoto, was to perform a very high-energy dance to the best musicians. A table was placed in front of the cave where she began to dance. As she danced all the other gods began to clap, and clap, and clap faster and faster. As she danced her kimono began to open and she never stopped to fix herself and the other gods became more and more excited. The noise of the festivities aroused Ohmikami's curiosity. Yielding to temptation she opened the entrance a little to see what was happening.

After silently observing the festivities for a few seconds she demanded to know the nature of the celebration. Mikoto the goddess of dance stop dancing and faced her, and replied we honor a god whom commanded more respect then you. At this time the most important part of the plan was put into action.

A large mirror was placed behind her in front of the cave entrance.  his reflected a large glowing light into the sky and the heavens. The mirror was decorated and permanently placed to block the cave forever. After learning her lesson she promised to never leave the world in darkness and we have been blessed with her divine light ever since.

Here are a few more stories to help you understand Budo and Ninpo from legend.

In 700 BC A ship from India was blow off course and landed in Japan. Aboard was a King, a priest, and three servants. These men helped the Queen Goddess set up the central government, religion, and philosophy. They taught her Astrology, and Astronomy and Indian history along with it's Native Martial Arts.

In 550 BC a group of Vedic people arrived and attempted to take over some territory at the foothills of Mount Miwa Yama. Because of extreme differences in styles of warfare many new ways of effectively using weapons and strategy where developed. Giving birth to some parts of Ninjutsu used today.

In the 8th Century a famous story comes up about a Yata no Karasu. This is the symbol of the ninja and it is a three-legged raven. A gift from Amaterasu Omikami the Sun Goddess, to Kamu Yamato a local chieftain.  he Raven was to serve as a guide through the rough jungle and guide him to victory over all enemies. This was the birth or the now famous Yata no Karasu.

In the days of Keiko, who was the12th Emperor of Japan. The son of this great Emperor Ousu no Mikoto was given a mighty task.  ne of the largest threats to their power was a man named Kawakami Takeru. Uuso was only 16 years old and was the leader of a veteran army and was up against a very strong and skilled opponent, and victory seemed unlikely. Afraid to face this army in battle and seeing the concern on the soldier's faces, Ousu needed a plan.  At some point before the war Kawakami decided to hold a feast to raise morale among the men. Learning of this event, Ousu dressed himself as a young girl of exceptional beauty. Without arousing any suspicion he secretly entered the feast.  It was not long before Kawakami spotted Ousu. Kawakami had a weakness for beautiful young girls and Ousu knew this. With his fine features and fair complexion he was asked to sit and pour sake next to Kawakami. Throughout the festivities, Ousu conversed in a submissive, feminine voice and poured alcohol all night that soon he was drunk. Kawakami was unable to resist when Ousu drew a short sword from his Kimono and stabbed the chieftain through the heart. As Kawakami lay there dying, he asked the girl who she was.  He was astounded to hear the reply in his true voice. In Kawakami's dying breath he issued a proclamation that from here on Ousu no Mikoto shall be called Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, literally, the master of Japanese martial arts. This was the birth of Henso Jutsu the art of disguise.

In the year 219 AD the Emperor of China Suh Fong Tih was obsessed with finding the secret of eternal youth and life. He sent Jofuku, to Japan for a potion and was told not to return without it. So with 500 aides he set out to find this fountain of youth. He searched all over many of the islands of Japan and found nothing of this potion. Unable to return to China without the potion he decided to stay in Japan. He changed his name to Oirotayuya, he taught the Japanese how to catch whales, make paper and fireworks. He and his followers also began to teach the origins of Ninjutsu. It was Jofuku who brought Senjutsu to Japan. Senjutsu is techniques for attaining supernatural powers. From India it made it's way to China in the 6th century and developed into what it is today.

The training utilizes meditation, sojourns and potions to acquire the following skills:  

• Shingentsu - An awareness of all events happening at the the present time.
• Shinjitsu - The ability to hear over vast distances.
• Shinsokutsu - The ability to transport one's body instantaneously
• Tashintsu - The ability to read peoples minds.
• Kiotsu - An awareness of all previous events.
• Miraitsu - The ability to predict the future.

The religion of Shugendo tried to obtain the spirituality of man and god through concentrated prayer and physical training. This is distinguished in Ninpo by three elements, Taijutsu, Buki (the study of weapons and tools), and Seishintoitsu (mind control). These three are combined to obtain the final goal of spiritual paradise. In Ninpo, the ultimate objective is to establish peace between people, and in your own mind. The highest level and most important virtue are that of peace and harmony. Carrying peace and harmony in your heart is the same as possessing the spirit of Yamato Kokoro. This is the backbone of the Japanese people. This is the most important principle in all of the Ninpo scrolls.  Another article that you must understand and develop a deep respect in is the Sanpo Hiden, the three jewels. This refers to the three secret taijutsu points.

First is the Metsubushi, which is to attack the eyes of the opponent. To take away the opponents sight, blinds, confuses, and unbalances the opponent, but it also put fear and thousands of thoughts that clutter the mind and give you a very important advantage. When you cannot see clearly you cannot think clearly. This will produce a rash judgment and panic. Understanding this you must train your mind with out the assistance of the eyes, to rely on your inner feelings and what has been called the minds eye. This is the defense for metsubushi and will give you twice the ability with your eyes undamaged and open.  Next is the Happo. Attacking the ears of the opponent. The ears control many subconscious attributes such as balance, concentration, hearing, and hand-eye coordination.  With the reflexes damaged and hearing and vision distorted lies your advantage. The third and final jewel is the Suzu. The groin area of the human body is quite sensitive to damage and controls many outside emotions as well. To simply attack this area causes an over-reaction to defend.  Many times off balancing them and consuming their thoughts. Once injured complete spiritual damage is done and most of the will to fight has been lost. All of the three secret jewels are targets and should be understood can leave life long injuries. And the combination of these three essentials can have a positive effect on you, through sleep, music, and massage.

To Continue on the path on the late 6th century you find something I like to call "Kage no Kan", or the secret gates. To become a true Ninja three gates must be found within you, and mastered. The first gate to open is the realm of Bumon.  This is the Martial Art component consisting of the 36 Ninpo essentials (Ninpo Sanjurokkei made from the Bugei Juhappan and the Ninja Juhakkei). From the achievement of Bumon you will derive physical power. The next gate is the realm of Shumon, The religious and spiritual aspect. This is where you will learn and understand different religions and spiritual cultures from around the world. Without being tied down to a single spiritual guidance you will attain true spiritual enlightenment. As you study many religions you will find a common thread between the gods and laws of nature. You will find peace in understanding mankind and how different we are and how much we are the same. The spiritual uniformity and desire for balance and peace is what spiritual beings dream of, through Shumon you will find your own place in this large ever-changing world.

Last we have Bunmon. This involves the learning and understanding of Culture, history, Philosophy, and Tradition. With the understanding of Bunmon you will receive Knowledge.  Information about other places around the world and their history that made them what they are today. Events in time that will mark as reference points for your own decisions in crucial moments of your life. From this source you will be able to predict the future and have the wisdom from other great men and women and their mistakes.

A Human can be considered as having three main parts: the body that gives us power, the heart that gives us spirit, and the mind that gives us wisdom. Through the learning of Bumon, Shumon, Bunmon, a ninja develops these three parts and has them working in perfect harmony. When this integration is complete of mind body and spirit, you will just begin the first day of your brand new life. You will understand why things happen, and see things develop before they take place. Complete prevention or alterations of events are somewhat difficult because you will still need to deal with conscious minds without the wisdom of complete awareness at all three levels of life. You must learn to deal and help what you can, and move on in life where you cannot. You must keep your heart like a flower and your spirit like bamboo. Here are some key words you must always remember when speaking about your heart or spirit:

Kokoro - which means heart / you must always strive to keep a pure and honest heart. Being honest to yourself and focused on the path leading to personal happiness. Your heart must be one that is free and enduring. One that combines endurance with humility and understanding will be able to live at peace with life and your actions towards others. This will produce Niniku Seishin. Niniku Seishin or Nintai Seishin will give you the ability to pocket insults and regrets and later throw them away with all traces of resentment, and keep your mind free from impurities. This free spirit will cultivate something known as Kajo Waraku.  Having a heart as peaceful and joyful as a flower. This does not mean weak in any way.  Many beautiful flowers have the potential to kill, and to heal. The choice is in the one who touches the flower.

Getting back to historical points in time, I would like to talk about the year 1159 to 1160.  There was a man named Minamoto No Yoshimori, an expert in Ninpo Strategy. He was the creator of over 100 ninpo poems that held secret teachings. I would like everyone to study this one to start.

"When moving towards the sun or moon one has no shadow; But with the light behind, one grows a shadow."

This poem explains that when the moving towards the source of light you are not preceded by a shadow that would give you away to the enemy. However if you move away from the light, the shadow falls in front of you, announcing your arrival and broadcasting one's movements. To be aware of this information will help you become and stay invisible.

The secret of Shinobi is the understanding of light and how it reflex's, bends, casts shadows. Many people through out time have referred to ninja's as "Shadow Warriors". It was for their understanding and manipulation of light. Light is simple what allows us to see.  It is the reflection off an object that ours eyes pick up on and then the brain quickly analyzes it. If you can learn how to find or create overlapping shadows, or area's that have no light you can not be seen. This is a very important lesson about Ongyo jutsu and Shinobi.

Here is another poem to study;  

" When entering someone's property it is very important that one knows the opportunity".

What is the most important part of this lesson? And what does it mean to know the opportunity? The most important aspect this teaches is to know and be aware of the present. And everything involved with the success of the mission. Nothing must ever surprise you. To make your mission complete you must careful plan and study everything about the land, the enemy, the weather, and your weaknesses as well as the opponents.  To have many plans of action and be ready to seize the moment at the exact proper time, with all the correct equipment required. Here is one more lesson to study;

 "The techniques of the enemy are well known to me, But they never know mine".

This is much more difficult to do then you think. Many options must be looked at. The most important one is Kyojitsu. This is the ability to spread lies and rumors or just false information. This will lead your opponent in the wrong direction everytime. To do this you must have a reward factor. When you mislead them, have them find out information that will keep them close to you (on the wrong track of course), so you can follow their lead and study how they prepared against your plans. They have false information and you have how they think and react to your strategies. If they always end up empty handed they will loose interest in your deceptions.  Always have them almost catch or find clues within your lie to lead them deeper into deception. The Kunoichi (female ninja) was famous for this purpose. There will be more poems in the future.

" If one can understand that the Martial Arts are the way and this is correct; this is the highest point and needs no learning".

There are many stories that have been past down and studied by many scholars. All stand to show how Ninpo played an important factor in Japan's history even up to the point of world war two. At one point during the Olympics in the modern era ninja's where used to train their athletes in many running and jumping events. Even with the development of spiritual endurance. In the 2nd war Ninja's where used as spies in France and England. A kunoichi lived in France for three years and killed many people in the military and government before she was discovered and finally killed. In the future please look to the Essence Of Ninjutsu by Masaaki Hatsumi or the book Ninpo Secrets by Shoto Tanemura, and Invisible Assassins by Andrew Adams for a good understanding of Ninpo and it's vast history.

Mr. Robert Stevens, has lived and trained in Japan and has been involved in Ninpo since 1986, and has trained with every Ninjutsu Grandmaster alive today.