Ninjutsu—Ninja Arts
The main role of the ninja was to gather intelligence for their patrons. They used a range of skills to carry out their activities without drawing attention to themselves.
Ninjutsu (the art of the ninja) centered on stealth and survival tactics that required physical endurance, mental agility, and strategic thinking. The ninja developed techniques for climbing walls, jumping through the branches of trees, and crossing bodies of water quickly and silently. Ninja also incorporated practices and knowledge from yamabushi—mountain ascetics who sharpened their mental faculties and were skilled in using fire and medicinal herbs and navigating the terrain.
The ninja were also masters of disguise, routinely changing their appearance. They impersonated priests, merchants, street performers, and the like, and they were adept at engaging people in conversation to extract valuable information. But above all, ninja showed fortitude and patience, and selfless dedication to their missions.
Learn more about ninjutsu at the Kokaryu Real Ninjakan.