Did you know that Japanese martial arts are classified as modern or pre-modern? So before you train in Japan, lets explore some martial art tems that newbies are ignorant about.

In the past, many outside the martial arts circle have used “Karate” as a catch-all phrase to refer to all Japanese martial arts. That is a mistake.

Karate is a martial art on its own that didn’t even originate in mainland Japan. It came from the Ryukyu Kingdom (now Okinawa), which wasn’t part of Japan until the invasion.

Interestingly, Karate, together with Judo, Aikido, and Kendo, are considered modern martial arts. What, then, are pre-modern Japanese martial arts?

To help you understand the differences, I’ll first be explaining these umbrella terms that designate a martial art as modern or pre-modern:

• Koryu Bujutsu
• Gendai Budo

Then, I’ll go on to explain two popular Japanese martial arts practised in the west.

• Karate
• Judo

“Old Style” vs Modern Japanese Martial Arts

Koryu Bujutsu

Koryu Bujutsu (古流武術) translates as “old style martial arts”. It generally covers military arts and sciences that were practised in pre-Meiji Restoration Japan.

These are less about self-improvement and more about defeating opponents.

Under the umbrage of Koryu Bujutsu are:

• sumo wrestling
• jujutsu (unarmed combat)
• kenjutsu (swordsmanship)
• battojutsu (art of drawing the sword)
• iaijutsu (art of mental awareness)
• naginatajutsu, soujutsu (art of the spear)

These skills were often practised with other military arts like horseback riding and swimming. There are, of course, different styles of koryu bujutsu. There are even ancient schools that specialize in different forms of jujutsu and weapon combat (check the link out for an extensive list of koryu bujutsu).

For example, jujutsu styles include Kito-ryu, Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu and more. There are organizations that verify the lineage of a dojo to ensure continuity, before certifying the martial art as koryu.

Koryu martial arts use the Menkyo system to grade students. This is a contrast from gendai budo that gives out martial art belt ranks.

Gendai Budo

Gendai Budo (現代武道) means “modern martial way”. The term applies to martial arts that developed post-Meiji Restoration, around 1868.

Gendai budo focuses on self-improvement first and self-defence second. The older martial arts are the exact opposite.

Also, all gendai budo martial arts use the martial art belt system to rank practitioners. This system was first used in Judo, where Jigoro Kano used black to signify dan-grade and white for the rest.

Gendai budo covers a broad range of arts such as:

• Judo (from Kito-ryu jujutsu)
• Aikido (from Aikijujutsu)
• Iaido
• Kendo (the evolved form of kenjutsu)
• kyudo (way of the bow and arrow)
• karate
• shorinji kempo (also known as kenpo)

Logen has compiled an extensive list of modern Japanese martial arts related to the samurai and ninja.

Popular Japanese Martial Arts in the West

There are many Japanese martial arts, as mentioned before. But, I’m pointing out Judo and Karate deliberately as they are common in the west and vastly different.

Beginners who make the mistake of thinking that one is the other could be in for a rude awakening.

Karate

Karate developed on Okinawa Island during the reign of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It exists as a fusion of Chinese martial arts and the original “te,” or Okinawan martial arts.

The four original branches of practice were Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Shito-ryu. The only one that didn’t start in Shuri, Okinawa, was Goju-ryu. It began in Naha.

Then, in the 1920s, Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate into mainland Japan.

The differences amongst the styles tend to be the stances used and the number of katas practised. Some styles use weaponry, while others focus only on training the mind and body.

For example, Shotokan uses deep stances and focuses on long-range attacks. The exact opposite would be Shito-ryu, where stances are more natural and upright, and the focus is on speedy footwork. In Kyokushin, rather than evading, knockdowns are frequent. Full body contact is also encouraged.

Note: All styles of Karate are Gendai Budo (modern martial art). This is a contrast to Koryu Bujutsu (old martial art – dating before the Meiji restoration period).

Judo

Where Karate is often called a “hard” martial art, Judo is “soft.” Karate focuses on striking, while Judo focuses on grappling and throwing.

Jigoro Kano – the same man who created the martial art belt system – founded Judo. Its base art is mainly Kito-ryu jujutsu, a koryu bujutsu.

Judo uses the concept of “kuzushi no ri” (breaking of balance) to overcome the opponent.

In a stereotypical illustration, a Karateka will strike an opponent unfalteringly and aggressively. The Judoka, though, will go on the defensive then try to evade then counter with grappling and throws.

How easy is it to find either pre-Meiji or modern martial arts?

Both koryu bujutsu and gendai budo are still practised throughout the world today. However, obviously, the modern martial arts are going to be widespread.

While you might experience holding a naginata at a samurai taiken (experience) event, you’re not going to find many places that will train you to use one. Moreover, admission to a koryu martial arts dojo is difficult.

For example, the oldest koryu art – Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu – needs its students to swear secrecy with a blood oath (keppan). Risuke Otake (pictured above on the left) is the main instructor appointed by the headmaster Yasusada Iizasa.

As for gendai budo, simply do a quick Google search of your hometown, and a karate or judo dojo will pop up somewhere close.

Want to travel for Japanese martial arts?

Want to travel to train in Japanese martial arts? Logen and I will be compiling a list of recommended places in both Japan (and around the world) for you ninja adventurers!

Note: Collaborative article written by Valerie Taylor, with edits by Logen Lanka.

The post Japanese Martial Arts Before & After 1868 — “Old Style” vs Modern appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

Though I often travel alone, I am never actually alone, because I have my handy-dandy laptop in tow. For years, my laptop has been an indispensable piece of equipment that I have come to be unable to live without, since I’m a digital nomad.

I’m sure that for most people it is very much the same — that you cannot completely disconnect yourself from your computer or smartphone.

But there have been a couple of instances as I traveled abroad where my personal data was breached.

As I mentioned in the previous article, I had my bank account shut down unexpectedly while I was in Malaysia. According to my bank, there is a high amount of credit and debit card fraud there.

Even when I was in Chicago, simply paying for internet with my credit card put a red flag on my bank account. I’ve gotten viruses from using hot spots in Japan, have had my email information sold to third parties while signing up for excursions in China, and so much more.

Why Data Security is Important for a Ninja Adventurer

Hacking Around the World

According to Business Insider, the top countries for cybercrime attacks in 2016 are as follows:

Why am I mentioning this?

Because most of these countries are where you are going to want to go as a Ninja Adventurer, right?

• China for Kung Fu
• Brazil for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Japan for Karate and Ninjutsu
• Vietnam for Vovinam

Though you may be able to protect your physical presence, what about your virtual identity?

You never know when something unfortunate is going to happen to your data if you are not careful. Every unprotected search you make, puts you at risk of being noticed and wiped out.

Be Aware of These Vulnerabilities Abroad

Hotel & Travel Accommodation Wifi

There’s no surprise in me telling you that the hotel, AirBNB, or guesthouse wi-fi is more susceptible to hacking and malware, than the internet connection at home.

Throughout the world, hotels and other accommodations rarely put up the correct amount of protection for their internet — no firewalls, minimal antiviruses, and very little encryption.

In other words, accessing your bank account over a hotel’s internet connection (without having a proper amount of protection in place is a really bad idea), especially if you’re in one of the countries where cybercrime is high.

Public Computers

Also, stay away from those “public use” computers in hostels unless you are merely looking up something on Google Maps. Not only is the risk of forgetting to log out of your credit card or Facebook account high (because really, who does that anymore?), but the connection usually isn’t secure.

Cyber cafes

Cyber cafes can be a hazard, too, simply because of key loggers and malware. Even if you’re using your own mobile device at a hotspot that is password protected, any hacker who has logged into that network will be able to spy on you.

Always disable your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you’re not using it. There are some locations abroad that have free, unsecured connections your devices will automatically connect to, allowing your movements to be tracked.

ATM Skimmers

Lastly, don’t forget about the vulnerabilities of ATMs. Some countries are safer than others.

Japan, for example, has rather secure ATMs located inside convenience stores with security cameras recording non-stop, so you don’t have to worry too much.

However, some locations aren’t as protective of ATMs. In that case, always go into a bank to work with a teller. If you have no other way to get money, check the ATM for skimming devices beforehand, and don’t forget to conceal your pin number and the amount of money you are withdrawing.

Note About Encryption – Laws in China & Russia

So, you might be thinking that you’ll just encrypt your sensitive date and everything will be fine.

Not if you’re going to China, it’s not. China (and Russia) has laws about encrypted data written into a cybersecurity and counterterrorism laws from 2014 that details the “Administrative Rules for the Commercial Use of Encryption.”

It is best to familiarize yourself with this if you plan on traveling to China for your training.

Preliminary Steps to Personal Data Security

Now that you know the risks involved with traveling abroad, however slight they may be, you should know how to protect your sensitive digital data by any means necessary.

1

Buy a USB

I’m 100% serious. You may not think that with all the modern technology out there that external USB drives are of any use; but you would be underestimating a value resource in document and password protection.

My recommendation is buy 2 external USB drives. Have one that holds at least 16 GB and another that has enough space to serve as a repair drive in case your laptop’s hard drive unexpectedly gets wiped or dies.

2

Backup all of your important files onto said USB

Store and password-protect whatever you deem important for you travels. This includes copies of your passport and visa, insurance details, credit card information, accommodation booking, and airline boarding information.

3

Encrypt those files

Aside from password-protecting essential documents on both your computer and USB drive, you should also encrypt them (unless in the case of the aforementioned law). However, you can still protect your USB drive files from prying eyes.

4

Do a second backup on free and secure online cloud services

Back up your most valuable files on Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.

You can also utilize the 2-step encryption services provided by these services, which means you have more peace of mind. Sure, it takes a bit more effort to get into your information, but at least you know everything is safe.

Cloud Storage Recommendation – Privacy & Encryption

For a cloud storage service that’s encrypted and keeps your information private,
you need something OTHER than Google Drive or Dropbox.

Firstly, regular cloud storage providers (Dropbox) don’t usually use certified encryption standards. Secondly, these services (Google Drive) are located within the US, they are subject to laws that infringe on your privacy, even if you aren’t storing anything illegal (e.g. US Patriot Act).

Here are two offshore recommendations that are compliant to stricter privacy laws in their respective countries. Both options are also well-known in the cloud storage industry for having exemplary encryption protocols.

So, if you want greater privacy and encryption security (especially if your work demands it), consider these options:

• Sync.com (based in Canada and fully compliant with data privacy laws there)
• pCloud (based in Switzerland & more secure than Dropbox)

5

Get a VPN

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), is one of the best ways to keep your IP address and internet behaviors in the shadows.

If you use a decent VPN (i.e. SaferVPN, TunnelBear), you will be able to effectively cover your tracks. Plus, you can get access to certain websites in countries that have strict laws, like China. For instance, I used a VPN while in China to access Facebook.

6

Use a Quality Antivirus and Firewall

Free is good — but there are holes in free antivirus and firewall services. These holes can leave your computer and mobile devices susceptible to malware, spyware, and viruses. Investing in a decent security suite that doesn’t slow down your computer or hinder the effectiveness of other programs is a must.

More to Come…

Now, I know that many Ninja Adventurers are adept at using their minds and bodies to solve problems. But you may not know:

• How to properly encrypt computer files?
• Which cloud systems to choose?
• And, how to make the best use of a VPN?

I will be discussing some tips and recommended tools in upcoming articles, so stay tuned!

Also, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.

I’d love to answer specific questions through the articles about training abroad, data security, or even provide information for specific disciplines. Don’t hesitate to ask.

Travel well, Ninja Adventurers. Until next we meet.

The post How to Protect Your Data When Traveling in 6 Steps? – Ninja Adventurer appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

Hello again, Adventurers! How goes the journey? (I feel like an announcer in a video game)

By now, you probably have read the previous instalment of the Ninja Adventurer series — and if you haven’t, you really should.

Today, I’m introducing the preparations you should be making to travel the world for your training. Though there are some common sense things to apply to your journey, I also have some tips that are going to be quite useful with deciding on where to go and how to build up an itinerary for a specific location. After all, getting the most out of any location takes some thorough planning and research.

Even the most spontaneous of travelers have to seek out the travel guide once in awhile!

Recap: So, You Want To Be a Ninja Adventurer

Before getting into the things you should do before becoming a ninja adventurer, I want to recap on the process for picking your training goal.

1. Pick Your Training Goal
2. Determine Your Level of Experience
3. Decide How Long You’ll Stay to Train
4. Consider Your Ideal Budget

Thus, your preliminary planning would look something like:

I want to attend advanced level Shaolin Temple training in China for 3 months on a budget of US$2300.

Why is preliminary planning important?

Because, while spontaneity may be great when sparring, you’re going to have to think ahead when it comes to your training and travel.

6 Things to Do & Prepare

1

Change Your Mindset

This is pivotal. You want to travel to train. You want to become a Ninja Adventurer, but you’re stuck in the mindset of routine training at the gym or dojo.

Also, you’re a bit hesitant to set out in the vast world to put yourself in a situation that’s going to be both mentally and physically demanding. Who you meet, the challenges you encounter, and how you react to these encounters are all based on how you can anticipate and accept these obstacles.

You have to really, really want this in order to get the most out of it. In the end, it is not the training that is going to be the hardest part. You’re going to face cultural shock, feelings of isolation, rivalry, and much more.

In short, be prepared for an eye-opening excursion. One that will challenge the very fabric of reality that you know.

Keep an open mind. Don’t judge lifestyles that are different from yours, and be sure to listen actively. Embrace the possibilities rather than mentally shutting down.

2

Get Your Passport & Visa

If you already have a passport, make sure it has at least 6 months left before the expiry date. Otherwise, you are going to be in trouble when it comes time to board the plane. If you don’t have a passport, you need to file for one at least 3 months prior to departing. Some countries take longer with making passports than others, but 3 months is generally a fair amount of time.

Should you need to apply for a visa, add another 3 months to that process. Visas often require several weeks of sending your documents to and from the consulate, contacting various people, then waiting for your passport to come back to you with a stamp or sticker inside.

You can expedite it, but expect it to cost a preposterous amount.

3

Don’t Be Afraid

Coming from a woman, you can take this seriously. The world is not as horrid as the media makes it out to seem. I have met a lot of good people from all around the world. You will find exceptional kindness is the strangest of places.

I’m not saying that this means you can put down your guard, because that is asking for trouble. But as you plan out your itinerary, don’t steer away from a location just because someone reported having their wallet stolen. Seriously, that can happen anywhere, to anyone.

4

Backup & Secure Everything

I can’t tell you how many close calls I’ve had with IT security and data loss on my computer while traveling.

Since my laptop is my livelihood, I can’t afford to have it stolen, damaged, or compromised in any way. That’s why I cannot stress enough the importance of learning how to backup your important documents on a cloud database (scan your passport, ID, booking information, and more) and have that all encrypted.

When I went to Kuala Lumpur, for example, I didn’t realize that there is a lot of banking and credit card fraud in Malaysia. As soon as my cash card hit the scanner, my accounts were shut down.

This left me at the airport with no way to get my money. I had to call my mother to contact the bank, who then lifted the lockdown… only to have it happen again automatically when I went to pay for my hotel.

And always use a VPN (i.e. SaferVPN, TunnelBear)  or proxy when abroad.

5

Pack Smart

You won’t need even half the gear you think you will when traveling. When I went on my first adventure, my suitcase was nearly 40kg. It was madness.

Now, my backpack only weighs about 20kg in total. If you’re not sure about packing, go with this one simple rule:

If you have any question about something’s usefulness, you don’t need it.

Whatever you need, you can get it in the country where you’re headed. Honest.

6

Travel Insurance

Guess what? You might get sick or injured while traveling. Travel insurance is fantastic for when you are worrying about hospital bills or stolen gear.

One of the recommended policies comes from World Nomads Insurance. The group offers policies ranging from a couple of days to months long, perfect for your trip abroad.

So there you have it…

Things you should do before ever becoming a Ninja Adventurer.

These tips and considerations are crucial to the success of your travels. Once you have these things squared away, your planning will become much easier. Also, you will have so much more peace of mind throughout the journey.

The post 6 Things You Should Do Before Becoming a Ninja Adventurer appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

Do you dream of studying and traveling abroad to train with the masters of your discipline?

Though you are loyal to your dojo or group of parkour friends, you know that there are more opportunities abroad. To try a new art or develop new skills in what you already know, while traveling the world, would be amazing, right?

Wandering ninja, this is the series for you.

The Ninja Adventurer is a collaboration between Logen and I to help you get the resources, tips, and inspiration needed to see the world.

If you’ve read some of my previous travel and historical articles, you know I routinely try out “training”, or do research on samurai and ninja. Though the Ninja Adventurer includes attraction/training courses, this is for those of you who want the challenge.

What it means to be a Ninja Adventurer?

There is a belief in martial arts that the student who travels can better hone their skills. No one master can teach the student everything he or she knows, and so the student enters a period of pilgrimage. Nowadays, the chance of having the most epic pilgrimage ever is attainable.

Plus, the places many could only dream of training (like monasteries or temples in the discipline’s origin country) are now more open to outsiders. Or maybe you just have a hankering for practice in Bujinkan taijutsu in Scotland, for example.

Likewise, if you crave connecting with people through parkour movements, street workout, running, and more.

The Ninja Adventurer is a person, like you, with that dream.

But how do you plan for an adventure like this? How do you budget? Pack? Where do you go? And how long do you go training for?

Throughout this series, those questions will be answered.

The Beginning of the Journey

If you have never traveled, there is no better time than now.

It doesn’t matter how many years young you are. It doesn’t matter if you are on a budget or how some flexibility with finances. Also, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been training in martial arts or parkour and free movement for years or are completely new to the world of fitness and wellness.

1

Pick your training goal

There is a program out there for you. All you have to do is fix your sights on a specific goal.

Obviously, the goal is going to be to train or work on a specific goal. Write out exactly what you want to do.

Example: I want to learn Jiu Jitsu grappling.

Example: I want to attend a parkour (or movement) jam.

2

Determine your level of experience

Okay, now, you need weigh how much you know versus what you don’t know. Some programs have an experience prerequisite. Leave ego at the door here and realize that every place measures progress differently. The belt you have now may not be equivalent to how the instructors or masters of the programs you attend assess your skill level.

Now, you have your goal and your skill level. Think of these things when you start researching descriptions for programs, because you have to decide if “rigorous training,” “the ultimate challenge,” or even “accessible for all levels,” is in line with your aspirations.

Example: I want to learn beginner level Jiu Jitsu grappling.

Example: I want to attend a parkour (or movement) jam that accepts people of all skill levels.

3

Decide how long you'll stay to train

From there, you need the length of your stay. Some training programs run for three days. Some last a year. This time factor can complicate the travel procedure, because you may a long term visa and housing depending on the country.

If this is your first time ever doing some kind of training intensive, I recommend going for a weekend or a week. This allows you to see if going away for training suits your needs or if you actually like it. Nothing is worse than signing up for a half of year of training and realizing that you dislike everything about the location and program.

Example: I want to learn beginner level Jiu Jitsu grappling for 3 months.

Example: I want to attend a parkour (or movement) jam that accepts people of all skill levels for one week.

4

Consider your ideal budget

The last thing to consider is money. Can you afford training where you want to? Some destinations are much more affordable than others. Some places are easier to reach than others. There are programs that include housing and meals, but some leave that all up to you.

Carefully weigh the cost of airfare, public transportation, food, insurance, accommodations, and even the exchange rate. Oh, and don’t forget about foreign transaction fees attached to your bank card… I learned the hard way. The foreign transaction fees actually wiped out one of my accounts ($5 tacked onto each withdrawal adds up fast).

Be prepared to pay anywhere from US$500 to US$3,000 or higher. Shocking, I know.

Example: I want to learn beginner level Jiu Jitsu for 3 months with a budget of US$2500.

Example: I want to attend a parkour (or movement) jam that accepts people of all skill levels for one week, with a budget of US$700.

How should your preliminary plans look like?

At the end of this preliminary planning you have a list that looks like:

I want to learn beginner level Jiu Jitsu grappling for 3 months with a budget of US$2500

I want to attend a parkour (or movement) jam that accepts people of all skill levels for one week, with a budget of US$700.

(Preliminary planning: Initial goal, experience level, time frame and ideal budget)

The Ninja Adventurer is NOT sworn to poverty

There are a couple of options for keeping a good stream of money coming in, even as you travel. If you’re from a country that allows for working holiday visas, then you may be able to work in the country while you train.

Great! Right?

Not necessarily. Do you speak the language? Will you have the energy to do physical labor, which is the mainstay for most people on working holiday visas? Is that labor going to get in the way of what you really want to do?

Visas for Working, Students and Cultural Activities

If you can’t get a working holiday visa, like me (the American), there are a few routes to consider. You may be able to get a visa that is for study. Some countries simply call it a student visa. Others, like Japan, have special categories, like the cultural activities visa. But you will need special permissions to work.

Digital Nomad & Freelancing

Another method has kept me afloat for 3 months, while traveling throughout Southeast Asia and Western Australia. That would be the digital nomad lifestyle.

I write for more than just Way of Ninja. Plus, I take full advantage of my Japanese bilingualism to translate and interpret. If you have a skill that can freelanced (like photography, online tutoring, online English teaching, or travel writing), you already have a global market at your fingertips. The key is that this business of yours is based in your home country.

So, as long as you have loyal clients and a decent business platform, you can work and train on your own terms.

Final Thoughts

Are you ready? Your journey as a Ninja Adventurer is just beginning. Now that the idea is planted in your mind, look forward to the next installation.

Rather than a general overview of how to get this journey started, I’m going to give you an in depth look to several martial arts training abroad programs and how to prepare for the trip.

Until next we meet, Ninja, never stop wandering.

The post So you want to be a ninja adventurer? appeared first on Way Of Ninja.