El peregrinaje de Nietzsche: Llegar a ser lo que se es

This article from a 1986 issue ran with this unfortunate title. The article is very good, accompanied by some excellent photo's. I just wish we didn't have to put up with this kind of sensationalism.

In the wake of recent terrorist attacks that took the lives of many innocent people and left scores of others wounded, it seems an appropriate time to discuss how the ancient science of ninpo can be useful in society today. With cowardly acts of this kind becoming more and more frequent the world over, it is important that all people, not only those who currently study the martial arts, understand how ninpo can be

practically applied to make this world a safer, more peaceful community of free nations.

Even though it is an ancient art, ninpo has many modern applications that the public at large and government officials as well should be aware of. Incidents like the seajacking of the luxury liner Achille Lauro and the brutal murder of Leon Klinghoffer, one of its passengers; the senseless slaughter of innocent bystanders at the Rome and Vienna airports ( to name just two of the more recent terrorist activities at this writing) will continue to grow worse in intensity, more widespread

geographically and more prevalent unless something is done about it.

A recent question-and-answer exchange with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th grandmaster of Togakure ryu ninjutsu revealed similar sentiments on his part. Long a stalwart advocate of more widespread instruction in the psychological aspects of ninpo, Dr.

Hatsumi was quick to clarify misconceptions many people have regarding ninja: their often linking the ninja with guerrilla-like attacks and bloody revolution; the erroneous labeling of them as hired assassins, cutthroats and cowards who sneak up on targets in the dead of night to kill, maim or mutilate. In some people's minds, unfortunately, ninja and terrorist seem to be one and the same.

In a general give and take interveiw, Dr Hatsumi spoke of the problems facing the Ninja today, as well as the possibiltiy of their becoming of immense service to the governments of free nations in their war against terrorism.

NINJA : How can training in ninjutsu help guard against terrorist attacks?

DR. HATSUMI : It is of course a great pity and very sad that innocent unarmed people are being terrorized and killed by fanatics.

This should not be happening; and there is much that can be done to prevent it. Too many people have the misconception that ninja were nothing more than hired assassins. For the most part, this is not true

at all. In the long and honorable history of ninpo, it was always warrior against warrior. True, there were surprise attacks, but always against other warriors. (There were never heinous attacks against civilians and innocents.) Today, as they did centuries ago, ninja live by a very strict moral code (which we have discussed in depth at other times). As a ninja, if I were someone who had a say in the operation of the CIA, or had some kind of role leading those who fight against terrorists, I would train people in the very same way ninja are trained. I would not only train the people on our side, but recruit people from the other (enemy's) side. For instance, recruit spies to infiltrate and gather information. Infiltration and information-gathering, utilizing disguises and psychological warfare were just as important to the ancient ninja as learning fighting techniques. Because with these methods you can win without fighting; you can win by knowing the enemy and out-smarting him.

The ninja had - and still emphasize - training along these lines.

An extremely important, yet often unknown part of ninpo is knowing the enemy. By knowing the enemy you know what he is capable of and what he probably will do; if you have gathered the right information, you know what he will or intends to do.

Knowing that, you then have the means to stop him, to thwart or prevent his plans from being carried out. This is part of the science of ninpo. This is why we in ninjutsu teach psychology, history; why we insist the student learn as much as possible-about other cultures and not just fighting techniques.

The practice of ninjutsu's weaponry, techniques and especially its philosophies could be instrumental in alleviating the world's terrorist threat, says Dr. Hatsumi.

America and other free countries must also learn to fight with words - as the Russians do with their propaganda. (More times than you can imagine, it is better to fight with words than with swords.) I think we are far behind the Russians in this area. I think we are losing the fight in the area of psychological warfare. Ninjutsu is very much an art and a science; and instruction in it would be of immense value. Unfortunately, few people recognize this.

NINJA: Do you think it would be advisable for American intelligence and other organizations like the Secret Service to send people to Japan to study ninjutsu?

DR. HATSUMI: oh, yes, without a doubt. Right now I have a few American military officers at my dojo, but they are there as private citizens. I think it would be better if they were sent by their government on an official basis. Their government, through them, would learn much more than they can imagine; not only techniques, but also ninja psychology. It would be of great help to them. Some European nations have sent special agents (to learn), but so far, not the United States. It is something I would welcome. I would be very glad to offer my services, to teach for the goal of world peace.

NINJA: The martial arts, through films and magazines, are becoming increasingly popular, especially with younger people. There are a lot of schools. Do you think the martial arts are being taught properly here, with well-trained instructors?

DR. HATSUMI: Well, American karate and other martial arts schools are going very much commercial; and that is a problem. Also, some people start teaching ninja techniques just after reading my books. There are many of them. They have never spent time in Japan. Of course, all of my students have legitimate schools; but others just call themselves ninja. That's okay by me (people can call themselves

whatever they want), but they go too far and spoil the whole thing because they do not have the philosophy. Philosophy is most important in learning ninjutsu. Just teaching

technique is wrong. If someone is only teaching technique he is not ninja.

NINJA: so you feel that philosophy as the basis of any martial art is highly important.

DR. HATSUMI: Absolutely. Anyone can learn technique and how to fight and defend themselves. But not everyone can be ninja. That takes an understanding of the whole history and science of ninpo. You have seen the whole forest; the technique is only one tree. To be ninja you must see the whole thing.

NINJA: How can this trend toward commercialism be changed?

DR. HATSUMI: In my opinion, the best way is to study with our school or with a student who has come here (to Japan).

I am trying now to work out a plan that will allow me to send 20 or so instructors to the United States in the next couple of years to teach and help bring about a better understanding of ninpo. This will also help people deal with the problems of daily life. But it is a long process. I also plan to send teachers to other parts of the world.

This is one of my major goals. This type of training can help bring peace because when you are strong and understanding you are at peace.

NINJA: Do police departments ln Japan train their recruits in the martial arts? And do you think it would be a good idea, say, for the New York Police Department to train their recruits in such a manner?

DR. HATSUMI: The Tokyo Police Department has a ninja club, as do many organizations; so does the military. Before someone can even join the police force they must have had training in judo and kendo and other martial arts. Once on the force they continue to study and move up in rank as they gain more skills. In New York as I understand it, they take anyone (whether they have martial arts training or not) and merely

instruct them in the use of guns and clubs. They would be much more effective with training in ninjutsu. (Editor's Note:

Actually, NYPD recruits are instructed in the martial arts as part of their training process. Ninjutsu, however, is not officially one of them.) It is a different philosophy (in New York), but things should change. It would make life safer and more peaceful for everyone. You can't just believe in arms - which seems to be the American philosophy. There is much more to ninpo than that.

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