Support Antony by buying his books: Ninja Skills: The Authentic Ninja Training Manual amazon.com/dp/1786780623 amazon.co.uk/dp/1786780623 The Book of Ninja: The Bansenshukai - Japan's Premier Ninja Manual amazon.com/dp/1780284934 amazon.co.uk/dp/1780284934 The Ultimate Art of War: A Step-by-Step Illustrated Guide to Sun Tzu's Teachings amazon.com/dp/B07NCNMTVS amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NCNMTVS Samurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare: The Collected Scrolls of Natori-Ryu (Book of Samurai 2) amazon.com/dp/1786781735 amazon.co.uk/dp/1786781735 The Ultimate Guide to Yin Yang amazon.com/dp/1786785153 amazon.co.uk/dp/1786785153
I was in love with the idea of ninjutsu since the 90s. I collected books on taijutsu, found out it was simply reconstruction and no true lineages survived. Friends studying Bujinkan didn't really know what they were doing. Of course I was obsessed with Bushido; read The 5 Rings, Hagekure, and Japanese commentary on The Art of War. Then I realized it was romanticism on the idealized strategist, which is it's own fiction. Ninpo was the only venue available, essentially the philosophy of it all. And it is philosophy like in Bansenshūkai. Even that I took with a grain of salt. Instead I focused on what documents or treatise we had from or on millitary leaders that employed and retained ninja, namely Oni Hanzo. Still not a lot there. What was his selection criteria? Ashigaru (militia) with relevant trades skills that could easily justify mobility and integrate. Fishermen, masons, and lumberjacks for example. Make sure they were trained as sappers. Simply teach them spycraft and arson. Of course with spycraft comes networking and gossip. That said if I was ever successful I'd handle my own training in the day (likely Shinden Fudo-ryū jujutsu and folk wrestling styles). Arrange for a multitude of skills to defend myself and hopefully never have to use it eavesdropping, exposing myself. Just to help keep confidence and my nerves about me more than anything. I've managed my own modern version with freestyle wrestling, BJJ, and Chinese Qinna to the same ends, training with matches 3-4 times/week.
I think the same goes nowadays for most professions. If you have no connections, you can't get a fairly paid job. I think most of ninjutsu boils down to building connections and relationships with groups or certain people.
I got to admit.-- here’s the real truth too. There’s some samurai that were shinobi. Some shinobi (ashigaru) that operate like samurai. Chikamatsu said I love your teaching and work. Thanks 🙏
Antony, Sean Askew spoke with me and Said Togakure Ryu is definently not historical and Hatsumi said Takamatsu obscured the the actual names to protect his real lineage and is a code? What are your thoughts regarding this? Do you buy that?
@@AntonyCummins Thank you for always taking time out to reply.The Bujinkan fanboys directed me to his research and to read his book "Hidden Lineage". I'm actively trying to get to the bottom of their history. Askew claims the history of Togakure Ryu is fabicated but the art itself is still real but Takamatsu changed the names to protect Toda Hisajiro's true identity. Sounded plausible at the time I accepted it at face value. He insists that it is true but sill has not produced and ounce of proof for any of his claims. He always moves the goalposts. "Oh I'm writing about it soon". He's been saying this for years LOL. I think he's trying to cover up the fact that they cannot prove their lineage. I smell a rat.
Ironically it was getting into Bujinkan/ninja culture when I was younger that got me interested in studying Japanese history, which affected my academic and professional careers (now work for a well known Asian history museum in the uk). Personally I agree with Bujinkan/BJJ black belt and MMA fighter Enson Inoue where he said that as well as having base skills ninjutsu is actually a resourcefulness/inner strength/drive to get a mission done or in his case win a fight.
Been watching your videos. Love the content. Correct me if I'm wrong, sounds like what I'm understanding is Ninja are the Navy seals to samurai family??
I purchased your book, The Ultimate Art of War, to continue into courses at a later time. Deep into school work and happy to have something like Natori-Ryu to do as well. Beginning as a student in IT, illustration, foreign language, and this would be another curriculum. It will be about 3years to complete a degree in each. While attempting Natori-Ryu courses. I’ll send a card this year. 157.
The British Museum should give you a space and make you curator. Thanks for sharing those nice Xmas cards. And if you are ever in Indianapolis, Indiana USA you have a home.
... did you feel the little wind 💨 behind you .... ? .... shadow is falling on you for a second ...... this was an Oga Ninja .... crossing your room ..... ✌️😎
having sporadically watched your videos over the years I had no idea you and Steven Hayes were still on talking terms LOL It's cool that you guys are, I just wouldn't have guessed it.
@@AntonyCummins Will do...he doing pretty well. No, he'll still alive. Uhh, I tried but something about a debates. Now, he has no interest anymore. Yet he did say, to me thanks for letting him know... point is I tried.
@@subninja8069 Thank you for sharing that, I enjoyed his content very much. I had always thought if he was still around, one of his videos could go viral, which would be great for the ninja community on all ends, regardless on belief.
Hi Antony, thanks for ruining my entire understanding of ninja. At first I was much disappointed but then history is history and not a fairy tail. I have some questions to you. Could you, please, describe types or roles of shinobi in a short video? Like public and hidden, may be any other types? And please describe how deals were made for shinobi who wasn't serving one lord and was a mercenary. What was a procedure to follow to hire a shinobi to make a one time diversion for example. Were there any contracts and man in the middle to negotiate the job? Thanks in advance!
"Real Ninjutsu" is an arbitrary statement. What does that mean? A real historical medieval ninja? Nobody is. A student of the Shinobi arts even if they are not an active operator? Were peacetime SEALs and Green Berets fake? Were peacetime samurai wannabes? There are many definitions as to what a real ninja is. It seems pointless and egocentric to even ask such questions. Does putting someone down for not living up to your definition make you feel more like a bona fide ninja? People need to focus on their own paths and leave others alone
@@AntonyCummins not at all. I think its negative for everyone calling everyone elses Ninjutsu fake and unauthentic as if they owned a patent on it. Too much petty in fighting in the martial arts community.
