Advanced Ninjutsu Training: Mastering Ninpo-Taijutsu requires mastering this ninja walking skill
Website design By BotEap.comAre you serious about mastering the Ninja’s self-defense system? Ninpo-Taijutsu (also know as Budo-Taijutsu)? If so, then this item may be just what the Ninja Master ordered.
Website design By BotEap.comBecause I’m going to share with you a special method of walking that, according to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, grandmaster of the world’s last remaining ninja schools, is one of two critical skills that you absolutely “must” master, if you’re going to become a ninja. in a teacher of taijutsuthe body art and the unarmed self-defense system of the Ninja.
Website design By BotEap.comAfter reading this article, don’t forget to get the special video lesson I’m referring to, which will teach you what most students don’t know about this skill!
Website design By BotEap.comSo of all the skills the Ninja possesses in his little black Ninja “bag of tricks”, why is walking one of the 2 most critical skills? And why the one that I am going to share?
Website design By BotEap.comAfter all, walking is walking, right?
Website design By BotEap.comWell, no.”
Website design By BotEap.comThe skill I’m referring to is Ninja. yoko aruki, or “walk sideways.” Also know as “Ichimon-ji-walk” or, in the koto-ryuace kane uki (“walk like a crab”), this method of walking has many different applications within the art of Ninjutsu.
Website design By BotEap.comSome of these applications include:
Website design By BotEap.com1) stealth
Website design By BotEap.com2) Go through corridors and narrow paths
Website design By BotEap.com3) Go up or down steep slopes and slopes, and…
Website design By BotEap.com4) Back and forth while using firearms
Website design By BotEap.comBut, within the Ninja’s self-defense system known as ninpo taijutsutea yoko aruki It is the secret to being able to perform correctly henka (“variation”).
Website design By BotEap.comIf you are not familiar with the yoko arukicross-stepping way of walking, I provided a link later in the article to a video lesson that will teach you how to correctly perform the movement.
Website design By BotEap.comAs a quick overview, to properly perform yoko arukiI am going to describe it from the perspective and idea of ”ichimonji-walking”, or ‘walking while remaining in a correct state’. Ichimonji no Kamae.
Website design By BotEap.comSo… start by taking a ichimonji Prayed seigan no kamae. We will move in the direction that your lead leg is pointing. Please make sure that when you are in any of these kamae (“stances”), that the lead foot and knee point directly toward the intended target. This is a critical and basic detail of your blade stances.
Website design By BotEap.comNext, shift your weight fully forward onto your lead knee so that 90% or more of your body weight is supported by your lead leg. The idea is to slide your hips out to the sides, keeping your torso straight. Avoid the common but incorrect tendency to angle your torso and lean from the waist.
Website design By BotEap.comNow, with your weight on the lead leg, bring the rear leg forward and cross the lead leg. You can do it by crossing in front or behind the lead leg. Both versions are correct.
Website design By BotEap.comAlso make sure that as you perform the stepping/crossing action, your back foot remains to the side in the universal “L” position and that your torso remains supported (do not allow your torso to twist as you step). This is one of the biggest mistakes people make and if not done correctly it will mess up everything from balance to punching to kicking to swordplay etc.
Website design By BotEap.comBut, I can hear you asking…
Website design By BotEap.comHow is this an advanced ninjutsu skill?
Website design By BotEap.comAnd the answer is…
Website design By BotEap.comBecause, in the words of Hatsumi-sensei, “If you can’t do yoko-aruki, then you can’t do henka.”
Website design By BotEap.comhenka it is the ability to change and adapt to situations on a case-by-case basis. That means, without this skill, you’ll have a hard time varying a particular “pattern” technique (also known as a kata form), because you can’t move properly.
Website design By BotEap.comRemember that a ninja is never NOT in kamae. The thing to remember is…
Website design By BotEap.comkamae first -kamae latest -kamae”forever“!
Website design By BotEap.comY yoko arukiwalking on the side allows you to do exactly that: stay in kamaekeeping the benefits kamae provides (distance, protection, etc.), while also having the ability to step or kick in any direction, as well as make minor adjustments to his balance and footwork, as needed, from within his kamae posture and positioning.
Website design By BotEap.comSo… if you want to become a master of ninpo Prayed budo taijutsuthen, in addition to Ichimonji no Kamae (that’s a different lesson!), you must become very skilled with your yoko arukiability to walk sideways!