If captured by an enemy, or more practically, a terrorist or kidnapper or
rapist, the ability to escape from bonds can save your life. But, when the bonds are “broken,” then what? Tonpo is not only the art of escaping but also evasion, as this to is part of escaping. Likewise, surviving while on one’s own and away from others is an element of tonpo.
Ropes & Cords: Ropes and cords can be removed in basically two ways. First, by cutting the cords and second by untying the knot itself.
Cutting Method: Cutting the ropes is self explanatory. But, one must hide the blade upon his person so that it can not be discovered if searched. Conceal the blade, most likely a razor blade, in a small pouch or sewn into a garment. The razor blade can be used both as a tool for cutting through bonds and as a weapon (tool) to aid your escape.
Best places for concealing a blade: 1) Cuff of pants…
2) Back of shirt or jackets…
3) Back of pants along the waist…
4) Seam of high-top shoes along ankle… 5) Under the sole of a shoe (along ankle)…
Untying Method: Possibly the hardest method or removing rope. The untying method is done in two stages:
Stage One- Loosening bonds, sometimes one may escape being “tied up” by only using step one. This tactic is only used if tied loosely. Begin by loosening the rope enough to allow freedom of movement, but not too loosely as this will tighten the knot. If you can already move your hands freely skip this stage & go straight to stage 2.
Stage Two- Pulling out the knot. Once you acquire the freedom to move freely enough needed to reach the knot, try to loosen the knot itself and finally “pick” the knot free.
Handcuffs & Shackles: Handcuffs and shackles are removed in basically two ways as well.
Key Method: If you know the types of handcuffs and shackles being used, you may acquire a “master” key and conceal it in the same places as you may conceal your razor blades.
Picking Methods: There are many methods for picking handcuffs and shackle locks. The basic methods can be presented here for escape methods, but it is the principles behind each method that is important.
Shimmied Method- Some handcuffs can be shimmied open by using a thin piece of wire. Insert the wire along the end edge of the shackle and force back the
catching mechanism. This method will present a smooth surface along the “catch” teeth to allow the shackle to be pulled free.
Picking Method- Some handcuffs can be opened with a modified bobby pin used as a pick. Or, if a torsion wrench is required to pick the lock, an ink pen’s pocket clip bent upward to a 90 degree angle can be substituted for torsion wrench.
Crashing Out: Crashing out is the method to bypass locked doors and windows when time and opportunity may not allow for lock picking.
Doors: Doors may be “busted” through in generally two ways, but these two ways are only examples. Kicking open and charging or ramming open is the two
examples of crashing out the door.
Kicking Open- A door which opens to the outside can be kicked open using either a side or front stomp kick. Kick as close to the latch as possible. The objective of this method is to generate enough force to shatter the door-jamb with the bolt. Ramming the Door- By charging or ramming a door with your shoulder, about the same result as a kick can open the door. Spring forward, slamming your shoulder into the center of the door. This causes the door to bow and the bolt to move free of the door-jamb.
Windows- Windows may be “busted” through by either charging through the window or throwing something through it and then pass through them.
Survival Basics:
The element of survival is often missed in the aspect of study in tonpo. I was once told the greatest man is the one who can exist anywhere simply off of what God had created for us. In truth, that was the element missing in most modern ninjitsu schools. Even so called “traditionalist” often miss the core meaning of ninjitsu.
Ninjutsu is not a martial art in the traditional sense, it is a way of living your life. Freedom isn’t decided by the rights you are given by the state, freedom is decided by your ability to choose. Choices have repercussions, and we must stick to those choices and suffer their repercussions no matter how bitter or sweet they are.
Law is unimportant, God who was born into this world to act with freedom, as Jesus Christ said in Galatians 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. ”, Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident for “The just shall live by faith.”& Galatians 3:12 “Yet the law is not faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
We are not, as humans, meant to be herded like cattle. Yet everyday we dredge to our enslavement to society, to an unspoken law that we must serve our country. Like all feudal peasants we work & toil for what reason? Because, it is expected of us… The days of clans, or families coming together for a greater truth, seems so far removed from our world, that we must embrace a fictional element of truth. In all ninja movies the idea of a clan existing to this very day seems the most pronounced element of the ninja-boom culture. It was never the ninja’s “power” that made them so respected & attractive, it was the idea of a clan, a family. Living in the “old ways” of a family in a world where we are all slaving peasants blinded by a promised of freedom but are not truly free.
Ninjutsu was an art form only when it became systems, the skills present in the art are some of the oldest used by man. Native American Indian tribes
practiced many of the same skills, and had little reason to evolve technology to the level of the European settlers. They worked with nature & found a comfortable middle ground. Their leaders served them, not in the reverse of our present culture. Ninjitsu represents the first & most trusted of ways of humanity a return to self- discipline and self-reliance. Ninja clans are painted as mercenaries, assassins & thieves by popular fiction, yet I ask how would this world paint those who do not need to be apart of the game of masters & servants? Ninjitsu is an art of
selflessness and selfishness, a symbiotic relationship with nature and the natural order of life.
Thus we see the first two laws of survival; move with nature and, take charge of your survival. We also see what we fear to see, the animal within us all. Like the Indian tribes of America, the Asian cultures identified the instincts and traits of people along side those of animals. Ninjutsu is recognizing the animal within and remembering the power of choice. Survival begins both metaphorically and
Laws of Survival in an Emergency… 1) Try to Stay Calm…
Often the first instinct of an emergency is to panic, to worry, instead seek to remain calm and think about your actions and their consequences. If for whatever reason you can not remain calm, take a moment to get the emotions out of your system but try not to influence anyone else in doing so.
2) Take charge of your situation…
This doesn’t mean to dominate the situation, but do not allow yourself to be dragged down by group sentiments, or if alone prepare to do what is best for your own safety. We all have heard to stay near the sight of a crash, but what if you to make it a hospital in view of another emergency or need.
3) Seek shelter & safety…
Long before you consider food a requirement, seek to find a safe place to rest and recuperate. A shelter allows one to tend to minor injuries, avoid the hazards of the elements. It gives you a temporary base to act from.
4) Use your resources…
Resources go beyond items in your possession, material in your environment you can use to aid your immediate goals. Resources; refers to your personality, your knowledge and your ability to make choices.
5) Try to Blend with your Environment…
Follow the pattern of nature, whether you are lost in a city or a wilderness. Follow the patterns of those around you, certain types of people gather near places often open to the public. Animals often gather near places with abundant food and water.
Shelter in the Wilderness:
The ninja of old was a master of survival and modern practicers should also seek to learn such things. Presented here are the basic applications of survive and paramilitary operations. To the art of ninjitsu there is only one common trait that separates it from all other martial arts. The ninja have always stressed ability to adapt and survive.
Shelter Beneath:
Shelter beneath objects may protect your from the elements and also provide you a place of refuge. In a winter wilderness environment shelter beneath over snow covered evergreen trees (as illustrated above), whose cones may be warmed to feed the ninja-student with pine nuts.
In an urban environment, such things may be readily available but would require you to live as a homeless person. Though for the ninja-student this offers the ability to go unnoticed as few people desire to see the homeless.
In the desert one can easily seek shelter by crawling beneath the sand allowing the sand to absorb some of one’s body heat. One should be careful that the sand does not prevent the ninja-student from breathing, using a straw or tube to allow one to breath in this way.
This was a common survival method of Arabian peoples when lost in the desert. A blanket may be further used to protect one’s comfort.
The Spider Hole:
The spider hole is a common trait in Asian survival and military actions. These holes were used in World War II by the Japanese and Korean military and the by the Viet Kong to hide from enemy forces.
The spider hole is a waist deep hole with a
camouflaged lid. This lid may be made of boards, cardboard and even a lid weaved from supple tree branches and covered with a sod cover.
Like the above examples, these tiny holes can be grown into large several roomed “tunnel forts” that almost invisible to all but the most advanced of technologies.