Ancient Japanese martial art also known as Shinobi no Waza. There are many styles (ryu), the oldest being Togakure. Most ryu contain elements of unarmed and armed combat (sword, stick, spear, halberd and chain weapon combat are typical), as well as training in fire and explosives, disguise, stealth, aquatic combat and movement, military strategy, espionage and climbing skills.

The tradition of the ninja originates from Japan. The first ninja were rogue samurai who were either evading religious persecution or who had been dishonoured on the battlefield and not commited ritual suicide. Many were employed as assassins or for intelligence gathering and one account relates an army of hundreds of ninja being employed by the Shogun Lemitsu Ieyasu to kill a fortified group of Christians.

Books about Ninjutsu