Modern Ninja?

Cover of a movie with Modern Ninja Concept Used

    Related questions are: 'Can there be some one a modern ninja?'; 'How to be a modern ninja?'. The answer(s) can be simple or it may be difficult. In the olden days, it could have been simple but in the modern world it becomes quite difficult, to answer these questions, because of matters of authenticity. These questions depend a lot on reason, prior knowledge and perception. Whatever be the answers, we must first need to understand the concept of being a ninja and the art of ninjutsu. I have given a short introduction about ninja and ninjutsu in an earlier post Introduction: Ninja and Ninjutsu. Also I have discussed the base concept of being a ninja in my post What it takes to be a ninja?. To answer some modern (added some old too) misconceptions about ninja and ninjutsu, I have already put forward an article/post by the title The 12 Misconceptions About Ninja & Ninjutsu. Once you have read the above posts with an open mind and acceptance (it is the first step to understand something), you will then be able to provide a sufficient, reasonable answer for yourself. Below I provide some of my own views based on the subject matter.


   The truth is that there's no certificate to be a ninja; there's no one who can solely claim that he owns or controls ninjutsu, in the modern world, because then their claims can be challenged. Even in the old days, the control could not be with one person to define, own or control ninjutsu because there wasn't a single person who may have created ninjutsu. It is an art that has been developed over ages, through several sources. It is not one art, it is a combination of several arts and it has several aspects; we can not call it one way, based on one aspect of it while ignoring others. The only things common between the several aspects of the art are the principles and the aim of Shinobi.

   People who think that ninjas do not exist in the modern period and hence can not be called any one in the modern period, give several reasons, some of which are:
     - Ninjas died out by the end of 17th century and only few existed by the mid of 19th century
     - No one in the modern spies or special troops, who have similar skills to the ninja, can claim to be a ninja since ninjutsu was the name of a tradition passed down through generations. Just as can no one in the modern Japanese Army be called a Samurai or just as there can not be a modern viking, or pirate captain, so can not be there any modern ninja.
     - The modern claims to the ninjutsu schools' lineage have been questioned and lack evidence as Kóryu.
     - Even if the modern claims be accepted, only Fujita Seiko and Takamatsu Toshitsugu are considered the last True Ninja, who have already passed away.

   These reasons have good weight, though it is one sided perception. What is focused on in these arguments is only the 'Ninja' and the 'teachings of Ninjutsu' completely ignored. These arguments are mostly put by the 'outsiders'. If we consider the teachings of ninjutsu, then these have been passed down to the modern world, through various sources such as scrolls, manuals, oral traditions and the current heads of the claimed ninjutsu schools. Their authenticity can be fairly calculated through proper analysis through datings, background and comparison with each other. Whatever can be considered authentic or comparatively correct can then be accepted as true teachings. He/She who adopts then those teachings with a correct mind and keeping his/her image of 'heart under the blade' can be considered a true ninja, I believe. If you follow the same context, according to the traditions and then follow the principles with the aim to be a 'truthful' ninja then my perceptions says that you are a true ninja (and yes, so is the answer to the first two questions); how do you see it?

   How you can not be a modern ninja? My answers are:
   - By learning some martial arts, thinking it is ninjutsu, while you are unwary of the basic principles of ninjutsu. Most probably you do not even know what ninja and/or ninjutsu means, what they are is just another question.
   - By use of modern tools and weaponry- Though it is true that ninjutsu is a very flexible art and it can evolve over time, keeping the traditions is also important especially in the modern world, where true ninjas and ninjutsu are almost non-existent. It is better to name your system something new, if you wish to go to a greater extent of modifications.
   - By going all open with 'I am a ninja' and clearly announcing it in the public and/or you call people up for a test of skills, so as to check 'who is a true ninja'. Generally, those who are widely known in public are considered low level ninja, those whose only skills are known are considered only a medium level ninja and he whose neither true identity nor his level of skill is known is considered the best ninja. See What it takes to be a ninja? for more.

   What ninjutsu can be used for in the modern world?
   "Ninjutsu is not something which should be used for personal desires. It is something which should be used when no other choice is available, for the sake of one's country, for the sake of one's lord, or to escape personal danger.  If one deliberately uses it for the sake of personal desires, the techniques will indeed fail totally."-Momochi Sandayu
   In the modern world, many people don't regard ninjutsu as useful, even by some well known people like the koka-ninjutsu claimant Kawakami Jinichi saying now there's modern weaponry. Such people haven't reached the true essence of ninutsu; they only see it as a fighting art. But I personally believe that ninjutsu is much more useful in the modern world than it could have been in the warring states period.
   Followed below are some of the specific purposes which ninjutsu can be used for, in the modern world. Remember that Aim and Principle are two important things for ninjutsu.
  - Spiritual Refinement and Enlightenment
  - Training and/or commanding troops or someone in the arts of Strategy, Spying and Battle Tactics
  - Establishing new ways of strategy from the old wisdom
  - Protecting Old Traditions
  - Survival and Defense

   How much can it be modified to fit the modern world?
   When thinking of modifications, only techniques can be modified to a particular extent but principles must remain the same. That is because the principles are intended for all ages while techniques remain applicable for a specific age. Sun Tzu says, "Those skilled in defense conceal themselves in the lowest depths of the Earth. Those skilled in attack move in the highest reaches of the Heavens. Therefore, they are able to protect themselves and achieve complete victory". As is evident from this, this meant something else for the technique in the age of Sun Tzu (approx. 500 BC) but we can find very good examples for the use of this principle with new technology in the modern age (almost 2500 years later).
   Some of the things that I feel can be changed are:
 - Lock-breaking or opening tools and methods. These were constantly changing even in the old age because of improvements in locks. Many tools of the new age are still similar to the old ones.
 - Climbing tools and methods, since now there are high buildings made of concrete and bricks walls.
 - Disguise which must always suite the time and region.
 - Small pistol or hand musket which are easy easy to hide can be used. These were actually used by shinobi in the times of Oda Nobunaga and later. For the sake of keeping traditions and legality, modern high scale weaponry should not be used as a part of shinobi no jutsu.

   Question comes that why would someone want to be a ninja and/or learn ninjutsu (/about ninjutsu). The reasons I see are as under:
   - Most people are probably impressed by the image of the ninja presented in the movies & Animé. Thus, they want to be the same and in fact try to gain that image, somehow.
   - Most people who want to learn the top martial arts want to learn ninjutsu (considering it) as one of the deadliest martial arts in the world.
   - Some people are intrigued by the super-magical powers, believed to be associated with the ninja and in their search for the truth try to, or become the ninja. This had been the same in the old times and it is, in the modern world.
   - Some people claim so much as to be the ninja grand-masters of their own system, probably for private gains.
   - Some people like the old traditions and methods of warfare.
   - Some people want to learn just any method so then they can survive in almost any situation.