Ninjutsu
Translation: "Arts of War"
Country of Origin: Japan
Created: circa 16th Century

Ninjutsu is a classical Japanese Martial Art incorporating a wide range of strikes, locks and throws and emphasising the importance of movement and technique over strength, great for self-defence.
A number of classical Japanese weapons are also often studied.
Ninjutsu evolved and developed as a way of life for the survival of a Japanese people culturally opposed to the ruling Samurai class of the day. With a traceable history of 1000 years the Ninja were most notable for their skills and activity during the Japanese Civil War periods of the l3th-l6th Centuries. All martial arts were stripped of warrior significance when peace came to Japan in 1868 (Meiji Restoration) but the teachings of Ninjustsu went underground and was brought to modern times by the 33rd Grandmaster, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. As the lore of the Ninja were passed down to the 34th Grandmaster, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi (Dr. Hatsumi is classed as a living treasure in Japan), Ninjutsu was made available to the Western World for the first time in the 1970's.It came to the U.K & Europe in 1983

More Ninjutsu training and information at www.ninjutsu.uk.com