Schools
There are 9 major schools of Ninjutsu and an associated 18 levels of training.
These are outlined below:
- Togakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken.
- Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Hiken.
- Koto Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Hiken.
- Shinden Fudo Ryu Daken Taijutsu Happo Hiken.
- Kukishin Ryu Taijutsu Happo Hiken.
- Takagiyoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Hiken.
- Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken.
- Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken.
- Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Hiken.
The 18 levels according to Soke Hatsumi are then:
- 1. Seishin Teki Kyoko
- Spiritual Refinement.
- 2. Tai Jutsu
- Unarmed Combat.
- 3. Ninja Ken
- Ninja Sword.
- 4. Bo-Jutsu
- Stick and Staff Fighting
- 5. Shuriken-Jutsu
- Throwing Blades.
- 6. Yari-Jutsu
- Spear Fighting.
- 7. Naginata-Jutsu
- Halberd Fighting.
- 8. Kusari-Gama
- Chain and Sickle Weapon.
- 9. Kayaku-Jutsu
- Fire and Explosives.
- 10. Henso-Jutsu
- Disguise and Impersonation.
- 11. Shinobi-Iri
- Stealth and Entering Methods.
- 12. Ba-Jutsu
- Horsemanship.
- 13. Sui-Ren
- Water training.
- 14. Bo-Ryaku
- Strategy.
- 15. Cho Ho
- Espionage.
- 16. Inton-Jutsu
- Escape and Concealment.
- 17. Ten Mon
- Meteorology.
- 18. Chi-Mon
- Geography.
Also mentioned by Soke Hatsumi is the principle of kyojitsu tenkan ho where the Ninja presented and interchanged both truth and falsehood so that the opponent would remain deceived. This forming the basic approach for all Ninjutsu activites and thinking.
Reference: Ninjutsu History and Tradition. Click here to find out more.