Stealth
It is often said that the Ninja is a supreme master of stealth, able to vanish
in a puff of smoke or change into a wild animal form in order to facilitate
an escape. In actuality it is the Ninja's understanding of invisibility that
gives them the advantage. Invisibility in reality is simply knowing how to fool
the enemies senses in order to remain undetected, much like a magician misdirects
in order to mystify and confuse.
There are two natural senses that are the focus of study.
The first is that of Sound. Noises attract attention, and if the mind
fails to identify a sound, it becomes curious. This is where the Ninja employs
the art of "Himitsu iri," the ever-elusive method of
"Silent movement." This art serves as a foundation for all aspects
of the Ninja lifestyle. Everything must be approached in a subtle manner if
ones endeavors are to remain a secret.
The Ninja's first lessons in stealth are those pertaining to "Kage
aruki," or "Shadow steps." These walking movements increase
the warrior's efficiency at adapting to specific situations while remaining
stealthy. Different types of terrain, varied foliage, sloping rooftops, inner
floors of structures, all of these variables are embraced so that silence can
be maintained.
The second sense is that of Sight . If something is visually perceived,
the value of surprise is forfeit.
Therefore, it is important that the Ninja study methods of moving when they
are within visual range of their opponent.
There are four areas of focus;
KAGE ARUKIJUTSU - THE ART OF SILENT WALKING
The Kage Aruki walking techniques were perfected by Ninja field agents during
the course of their missions. It is the use of proper weight distribution, mental
awareness and general feats of dexterity that enable an operative to carry out
these acts of stealth.
To move soundlessly requires the warrior to commit themselves to countless hours
of practicing and perfecting their technique. Traversing every type of terrain
imaginable so that when specific surfaces are encountered during field operations,
they are fully prepared to surpass them in a silent fashion. However, these
walking techniques alone do not magically endow one with the ability to move
unheard. These steps are simply tools used to increase ones ability to move
with more grace and elegance. In actuality, stealth becomes a skill the warrior
attains without really being aware of it. It is a result of their unarmed, acrobatic
and weaponry training. This happens because the warrior has attained a intimate
knowledge of the body and how it works.
HAYAGAKEJUTSU - RUNNING SKILLS
Also included in Himitsu iri is the art of "Hayagakejutsu," which
is the method used to develop greater speed and stamina when running. These
techniques require that the Ninja go through a set of rigorous training sessions
that are designed to increase speed by applying different principles of body
weight distribution. These running techniques combine stealth and speed. To
initiate this technique, the Ninja assumes a low Hiryu posture with the upper
body leaning deeply forward. As the warrior runs in this position, he is not
only using the power of his legs, but also his upper body because it actually
pulls the body forward into a faster run. The body must not bob up and down
as the Ninja runs and the arms should not move at all. Instead, the arms should
remain as motionless as possible so as not to attract unwanted attention. The
legs are the only part of the body that alternate motion.
HOFUKUJUTSU - CRAWLING SKILLS
Another unique method of silent movement is the art of "Hofukujutsu,"
in which the Ninja employs different methods of low movement to avoid detection.
One such method is "Ryohebi no jutsu," or the "Serpent crawl,"
in which the Ninja walks on all fours with his stomach very low to the ground.
The serpent crawl provides the Ninja with a very fast method of low movement
when travelling beneath the enemy's line of sight. One of the best crawling
techniques is that of "Shinso toho no jutsu," or the "Deep grass
rabbit" technique. This tactic is used when the Ninja is moving in extreme
darkness and wants to avoid making noise by tripping or bumping into anything.
This technique is accomplished by walking on all fours while scanning softly
in all directions with the hands and feet. Although this is a very slow process,
it is also very effective.
GIONJUTSU - FALSE SOUNDS
There are instances when the Ninja may accidentally make a noise. When this
occurs, the Ninja must not panic. Instead, he should learn to cover his mistake.
This is accomplished through the use of a very ingenious art. "Gionjutsu,"
the art of employing "False sounds" is extremely effective. In the
application of this method, the Ninja creates noises that might deter attention
from his presence. Therefore, if an enemy sentry was patrolling the land surrounding
their lords castle and he heard a strange noise, he would most certainly investigate.
This is where the Ninja can employ false sounds because often times, it is a
simple sound that will calm the sentry's suspicion. The Ninja could mimic the
sound of a cricket to deter attention from his specific location. This is because
crickets stop chirping when they are approached, and if the sentry hears this
sound he may not investigate that particular area because he thinks if there
was someone there, the cricket would cease his song. Or perhaps the Ninja would
imitate the sound of a cat, making the sentry believe a feline was responsible
for whatever noise occurred, and since the sentry does not fear cats, he may
feel somewhat foolish for searching. If though this tactic is creative, it is
very possible that the enemy will not fall for the ruse. In this instance, physical
combat may be the only recourse.
DOBUTSUJUTSU - THE ART OF USING ANIMALS
Another tactic known as "Dobutsujutsu," or the art of "Using
animals." This tactic makes use of live animals as a means of diversion.
To remain invisible, the Ninja may release a small animal such as a dog, cat,
rabbit or monkey into the area of operation. This technique teaches that, when
the threat of being discovered is imminent, the Ninja can use these animals
as a diversionary tactic. These animals often cause havoc with the enemies senses
while the Ninja slips away. This tactic can also be employed with insects such
as venomous hornets or bees. To apply this technique, the Ninja would place
a hive of angry insects in a pouch, and when he detects the presence of enemy
forces he shakes the bag to enrage the insects and then throws the open pouch
in the direction of his enemy. By the time the bag lands, the insects are furious,
attacking anyone in close proximity.
KAGEJUTSU - INVISIBILITY
To truly embrace the concept of invisibility the Ninja must not only be undetectable
to the ear, they must also remain equally unnoticed by the eye. The human scope
of visual perception is the focal point in this situation. Visual perception
is a fairly simple concept. The Ninja must come to learn how different types
of vision affect their chances of remaining unseen.
KAGESHIN - THE QUIET MIND
Stealth is largely a mental activity. This mentality is known as "Kageshin,"
or the "Quiet mind." What this means is that the Ninja's mind must
be free of aggressive intention. In essence, the Ninja's mind must become silent,
because what the mind feels, the body will imitate. What this means is that
the Ninja's mind must be alert to what is happening around them without any
anxiety of being detected. This anxiety will inadvertently lead to mistakes
in judgement. The Ninja must simply be confident in their training, knowing
they have been prepared to deal with every contingency.