Terrorize the Terrorists
The Role of the Ninja in Modern Society
By Masaaki Hatsumi
The following article was originally published in “Ninja
Magazine” in August 1986. Interview conducted by Thomas Checci under the
supervision of Professor Yoshiteru Otani, 9th Dan Jigen-Ryû. This article
starts on page 23 and ends on 25.
In the wake of recent terrorist
attacks that took the lives of many innocent people and left scores of others
wounded, it seems an appropriate time to discuss how the ancient science of Ninpô
can be useful in society today. With cowardly acts of this kind becoming more
and more frequent the world over, it is important that all people, not only
those who currently study the martial arts, understand how Ninpô can be
practically applied to make this world a safer, more peaceful community of free
nations.
Even
though it is an ancient art, Ninpô has many modern applications that the public
at large and government officials as well should be aware of. Incidents like the
sea-jacking of the luxury liner Achille Lauro and the brutal murder of Leon
Klinghoffer, one of its passengers; the senseless slaughter of innocent
bystanders at the Rome and Vienna airports (to name just two of the more recent
terrorist activities at this writing) will continue to grow worse in intensity,
more widespread geographically and more prevalent unless something is done about
it.
A recent question-and-answer exchange with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th grandmaster
of Togakure Ryû Ninjutsu revealed similar sentiments on his part. Long a
stalwart advocate of more widespread instruction in the psychological aspects of
Ninpô, Dr. Hatsumi was quick to clarify misconceptions many people have
regarding ninja: their often linking the ninja with guerrilla-like attacks and
bloody revolution; the erroneous labeling of them as hired assassins, cutthroats
and cowards who sneak up on targets in the dead of night to kill, maim or
mutilate. In some people's minds, unfortunately, ninja and terrorist seem to be
one and the same.
In a general give and take interview, Dr Hatsumi spoke of the problems facing
the Ninja today, as well as the possibility of their becoming of immense service
to the governments of free nations in their war against terrorism.
NINJA:
How can training in Ninjutsu help guard against terrorist attacks?
DR. HATSUMI: It is of course a great pity
and very sad that innocent unarmed people are being terrorized and killed by
fanatics. This should not be happening, and there is much that can be done to
prevent it. Too many people have the misconception that ninja were nothing more
than hired assassins. For the most part, this is not true at all. In the long
and honorable history of Ninpô, it was always warrior against warrior. True,
there were surprise attacks, but always against other warriors. (There were
never heinous attacks against civilians and innocents.) Today, as they did
centuries ago, ninja live by a very strict moral code (which we have discussed
in depth at other times). As a ninja, if I were someone who had a say in the
operation of the CIA, or had some kind of role leading those who fight against
terrorists, I would train people in the very same way ninja are trained. I would
not only train the people on our side, but recruit people from the other
(enemy's) side. For instance, recruit spies to infiltrate and gather
information. Infiltration and information gathering, utilizing disguises and
psychological warfare were just as important to the ancient ninja as learning
fighting techniques. Because with these methods you can win without fighting,
you can win by knowing the enemy and out-smarting him. The ninja had, and still
emphasize, training along these lines.
An
extremely important, yet often unknown part of Ninpô is knowing the enemy. By
knowing the enemy you know what he is capable of and what he probably will do;
if you have gathered the right information, you know what he will or intends to
do. Knowing that, you then have the means to stop him, to thwart or prevent his
plans from being carried out. This is part of the science of Ninpô. This is why
we in Ninjutsu teach psychology, history; why we insist the student learn as
much as possible about other cultures and not just fighting techniques.
The practice of Ninjutsu
weaponry, techniques and especially its philosophies could be instrumental in
alleviating the world's terrorist threat, says Dr. Hatsumi. America and other
free countries must also learn to fight with words - as the Russians do with
their propaganda. (More times than you can imagine, it is better to fight with
words than with swords.) I think we are far behind the Russians in this area. I
think we are losing the fight in the area of psychological warfare. Ninjutsu is
very much an art and a science, and instruction in it would be of immense value.
Unfortunately, few people recognize this.
NINJA: Do you think it would be advisable
for American intelligence and other organizations like the Secret Service to
send people to Japan to study Ninjutsu?
DR.
HATSUMI: Oh, yes, without a doubt. Right now I have a few American
military officers at my dojo, but they are there as private citizens. I think it
would be better if they were sent by their government on an official basis.
Their government, through them, would learn much more than they can imagine; not
only techniques, but also Ninja psychology. It would be of great help to them.
Some European nations have sent special agents (to learn), but so far, not the
United States. It is something I would welcome. I would be very glad to offer my
services, to teach for the goal of world peace.
NINJA:
The martial arts, through films and magazines, are becoming increasingly
popular, especially with younger people. There are a lot of schools. Do you
think the martial arts are being taught properly here, with well-trained
instructors?
DR.
HATSUMI: Well, American karate and other martial arts schools are
going very much commercial; and that is a problem. Also, some people start
teaching Ninja techniques just after reading my books. There are many of them.
They have never spent time in Japan. Of course, all of my students have
legitimate schools; but others just call themselves Ninja. That's okay by me
(people can call themselves whatever they want), but they go too far and spoil
the whole thing because they do not have the philosophy. Philosophy is most
important in learning Ninjutsu. Just teaching technique is wrong. If someone is
only teaching technique he is not Ninja.
NINJA:
So you feel that philosophy, as the basis of any martial art, is highly
important.
DR.
HATSUMI: Absolutely. Anyone can learn technique and how to fight and
defend themselves. But not everyone can be Ninja. That takes an understanding of
the whole history and science of Ninpô. You have seen the whole forest; the
technique is only one tree. To be Ninja you must see the whole thing.
NINJA:
How can this trend toward commercialism be changed?
DR.
HATSUMI: In my opinion, the best way is to study with our school or
with a student who has come here (to Japan). I am trying now to work out a plan
that will allow me to send 20 or so instructors to the United States in the next
couple of years to teach and help bring about a better understanding of Ninpô.
This will also help people deal with the problems of daily life. But it is a
long process. I also plan to send teachers to other parts of the world. This is
one of my major goals. This type of training can help bring peace because when
you are strong and understanding you are at peace.
NINJA: Do police departments in Japan
train their recruits in the martial arts? And do you think it would be a good
idea, say, for the New York Police Department to train their recruits in such a
manner?
DR.
HATSUMI: The Tokyo Police Department has a Ninja club, as do many
organizations; so does the military. Before someone can even join the police
force they must have had training in judo and kendo and other martial arts. Once
on the force they continue to study and move up in rank as they gain more
skills. In New York as I understand it, they take anyone (whether they have
martial arts training or not) and merely instruct them in the use of guns and
clubs. They would be much more effective with training in Ninjutsu.
(Editor's
Note: Actually, NYPD recruits are instructed in the martial arts as part of
their training process. Ninjutsu, however, is not officially one of them.) It is
a different philosophy (in New York), but things should change. It would make
life safer and more peaceful for everyone. You can't just believe in arms -
which seems to be the American philosophy. There is much more to Ninpô than
that.
The above article was originally published in “Ninja
Magazine” in August 1986
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