While each ninja had their own way and path to follow, the common thing among them all are their skills.

‘Trademarks’ of a ninja, these skills are crucial for a ninja if he or she wishes to survive. These skills can be split into four core categories.

• Stealth
• Martial Arts
• Escape
• Others

The Art of Stealth

First and foremost, the skill set that is most important to ninja is stealth. This is the essence of ninjutsu.

Ninja have to complete their missions without their enemies knowing or detecting their presence. Stealth dictated that a ninja must not arouse suspicion.

Ninja had to learn how to disguise themselves and, conceal their presence.

Martial Arts

Some circumstances require ninja to fight. And it was usually because the ninja had failed in stealth.

The martial art that modern ninja use should be quick and effective to neurtalise the enemy.

The Art of Escaping

When detected, the ninja should simply get away quickly if they can. After all, if one is captured, the enemy may torture the information out of the ninja.

In the past, if the ninja could not escape, he would most certainly kill himself to avoid such a situation. Ninja had to honour their word to secrecy.

Others

Other than the three skillsets mentioned above, to a ninja (or anyone else) knowledge is power. And in the world of espionage, it can make the difference between life and death.

This category refers to a ninja’s general knowledge, specific knowledge, healing knowledge (first aid), survival in the wild knowledge and so on.

The ninja’s specific knowledge of his mission is vital so that he can disguise himself. The healing knowledge will be beneficial if he is injured in the course of the mission. Oh yes! A good memory to store gathered information is necessary.

Conclusion On Ninja Training

Becoming a ninja relies on your determination and perseverance. One must train the mind to do mental feats, train the body to do physical stunts, and train the spirit to have undying faith in one’s own abilities.

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Commonly referred to as ninja magic, kuji-in was thought to be the source of a ninja’s powers of spiritual and mental strength. Kuji-in translate to mean Nine Syllable Seals, and are nine different seals performed by ninja in the form of hand signs.

While there are 81 seals in total, 9 make up the core.

These seals represent nine different levels of powers. They are:

1. Rin – Mental and physical strength
2. Hyo/Pyo – Channeling of energy
3. To – Harmony
4. Sha – Healing
5. Kai – Sensing danger
6. Jin – Reading thoughts
7. Retsu – Mastering space and time
8. Zai -Controling the elements of nature
9. Zen – Enlightenment

These Kuji-in hand signs are techniques used by ninja to focus the mind, will and energy towards a specific intention. When activated, the ninja may gain momentary mystical powers that aid in the ninja’s survival.

Kuji-in seals are used, also to develop a ninja’s intuitive abilities. For example, the Kai seal activates the ninja’s sense of danger and the Hyo seal could help the ninja in stealth by directing energy around him.

Though unlikely that Kuji-in works in mystical ways, the symbolism and handsigns will no doubt help the ninja gain confidence against a greater enemy. One should know that old ninja tradition was marked by strong esoteric Buddhist beliefs. From these beliefs, came the Kuji-in.

Note also that Kuji-in was not exclusive to ninjutsu. The seals featured here are often used for meditation, enlightenment, strength and agility training, and training in martial arts.

Logen L.

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