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Method
4 Training Your Mind and Body
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Updated: June 3, 2019 Act Like You're Act Like a
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You've seen them in movies and Japanese anime.
Explore this Article 341 June 3, 2019 1,545,436
But what exactly are ninjas? A true ninja (shinobi, in
Japanese) is not just someone who wears black, Learning the Ninja Way
Knowing that Silence is Golden
drops down from the ceiling and slices everything How Anonymous
Learn the Ninja Way A to
MarYour
12, 2018
into pieces. Ninjas have been around since at least Convince How to
Show 2 more... Friends You're
"Everything a me aAnnoy
helped lot. I'veYour
always
the 14th century, when guerrilla warfare in feudal Mermaid Teachers
Article Summary wanted to be a ninja, and this was great to
Japan called for subterfuge and assassination - Questions & Answers learn."
activities which samurai would not perform because Related Articles
More success stories
they were forbidden by Bushido, the samurai code. References
[1] Ninja were employed as master spies, assassins,
and specialist warriors. While some aspects of the
ninja way may be outdated, the principles and techniques remain valuable for anyone who is
interested in espionage and deception. Being a ninja is extremely hard work, but the tips below
will help you get started.

Method
1 Learning the Ninja Way

1 Prune the vast amount of ideas, morals, and philosophies to those that you
truly can live by. Educate yourself on the history of ninjas. For example, you might
want to read Masaaki Hatsumi's book, Secrets From The Ninja Grandmaster. Most ninjas
were freelance mercenaries who used their skills to support their families. Some ninjas,
however, were employed by lords and government officials. And some worked solely for
their own clan. The ninja lifestyle was diverse. You will need to direct your lifestyle
accordingly.

Method 1 Quiz Score

True or false: Ninjas were all freelance mercenaries, so you should strive to live 5/5
as independently as possible.

True

False

Correct! It’s true that some ninjas were freelance mercenaries, but not all were.
Some worked for governments, while others worked for their clan. Total
independence can be a way to live like a ninja, but it’s not the only way!
Read on for another quiz question.

Method
2 Knowing that Silence is Golden

1 Understand that silence is a valuable asset. One's decision to live by ninjutsu

discipline is not and should not be public knowledge. Your first responsibility is to
learn and practice ninjutsu in secrecy, and privately.

2 Refrain from publicizing that you are a ninja. A ninja must be able to function as a
spy, which means that you cannot reveal your status as an aspiring ninja, or else no
one will trust you. Do not dress like the stereotypical ninja. The black outfits that most
people associate with ninjas are a construct of Kabuki theater (although this has not been
proven), in which prop handlers were disguised as ninja characters (who always wore black
to minimize their presence while moving props on stage).[2] When you do wear ninja
clothes, the idea is to never let anyone see you in them.

Method 2 Quiz Score

What clothes should a true ninja wear on a daily basis? 5/5

Authentic ninja suit

All black

A t-shirt and jeans

Yes! The mark of a true ninja is not a costume, but total secrecy about your identity
as a ninja. As such, you should wear clothes that conceals, not clothes that
advertises yourself as a ninja. Blend in.
Read on for another quiz question.

Method
3 Learn the Ninja Way

1 Learn how to move stealthily. Tabi boots are great for this, try to roll your feet from
heel to toe. Become adept at social and physical invisibility and silence. Walk silently.
Learn the appropriate clothes for the appropriate times. Do not stand out or draw attention
to yourself in any way. Sometimes that may mean being sociable and friendly because in
the modern world, a person who sits quietly in the corner arouses suspicion and is carefully
watched.

2 Study how to fight. Learning a martial art will be helpful in this aspect. While ninjas
typically tried to avoid open combat, at times it is necessary.

3 Know how to escape. No matter where you are, know how to get out of the situation
as quickly and as anonymously (unseen) as possible. This is a critical skill for a ninja,
especially when performing missions. Historically, smoke bombs and firecrackers were
used to create diversions, but you will have to devise more subtle techniques, like starting a
fight or switching off the lights. When you enter a room, always be aware of every potential
(possible) exit, and have several plans in place for how you can create a diversion if
necessary.
As you escape, strive to leave no evidence behind, like clothes, weapons or
fingerprints (wear gloves?). One way that ninja accomplished this in the past was
with ashiaro, or wooden pads worn on their bottom of their footwear and carved to
look like an animal's paw or a child's foot so that the ninja's footprints would not be
noticed, this was also used in WWII.

4 Learn to control people by words and non-violent influence. Use people's

desires, needs and wants as a leverage against them. Humans need security, wealth,
pride, strength and to have their wants and needs satisfied. This is a key ability in most if
not all events.

5 Master self-control. A true Ninja is a master of his/her environment, which

consequently requires one to be in control of one's self. To master one's self, learn to:
cut emotions out of the decision making, engage in rational and logical thinking no matter
what the situation is, make tactical decisions that may upset one's ego, finding the flow of
situations/problems and one's place with in them, make decisions for one's own situations
as if giving someone else advice.
Applying these tips to every day life is a must, as it stands in the way of the
mastery of one's self. If one cannot master self, one cannot master others, and
their surroundings. Example: Engaging in physical combat due to provocation
knowing one can defeat the threat may not be the best of interests for the big
picture. Walking away while ridicule may hurt one's ego, but will keep one in the
clear of the public's eye from things to come.

Method 3 Quiz Score

Let’s say a drunken stranger is trying to pick a fight with you at a bar, for no 5/5
reason. How would a true ninja react?

Physically incapacitate the stranger.

Walk away from the situation.

Absolutely! A true ninja knows how to pick their battles. You fight only when you
must, and preserve your identity as a ninja whenever possible. You already know you
can neutralize the threat of a drunken fool, so there’s no point in proving it to
everyone else.
Read on for another quiz question.

Try to scare the stranger with your moves before engaging physically.

All of the above.

1 Exercise and maintain a ninja body. This does not necessarily mean becoming lean
and muscular; it means building endurance, agility, strength and flexibility. Go for long
distance runs, swimming, push-ups, chin-ups, crunches, squats, and make sure to stretch.
Your body is a tool - as long as it can perform the functions of a ninja, it is a valuable tool.

2 Feed your mind. Ninja were often very knowledgeable. With knowledge comes
power and this can help you become more resourceful and also help you blend in
more easily.

3 Practice meditating. Perhaps not traditional meditation, but meditation based on

complete awareness of your actions. Train your mind to be completely aware of your
actions when the need arises, for prolonged periods of time.

Method 4 Quiz Score

How should you train your body to be a ninja? 5/5

Focus on strength straining.

Focus on cardio.

Focus on strength, endurance, and speed.

Yup! Ninja strive for a balance of these physical attributes to fulfill their function as a
ninja. The point isn’t to become the most muscular or most svelte person, but to
fashion your body into a weapon for every situation.
Read on for another quiz question.

Method
5 Acquiring the Skills, Equipment, and Weaponry

1 Know what a ninja needs. A ninja is a master of sabotage, infiltration, and martial
arts. Here's a short list of skills, equipment, and weaponry at his command:
Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using one's body as the only weapon)
Kenjutsu (sword fighting)
Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting)
Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades)
Sōjutsu (spear fighting)
Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting)
Sui-ren (water training)
Bōryaku (tactic)
Chōhō (espionage)
Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
Tenmon (meteorology)
Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon)
Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives)
Hensōjutsu (disguise & impersonation)
Chi-mon (geography)
Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
Bajutsu (horsemanship)

Method 5 Quiz Score

How can you defend yourself without a weapon? 5/5

Taijutsu

Right! Taijutsu is the skill of fighting with only your body as your weapon. Ninja are
known for their abilities with blades and throwing stars, but in a situation where you
have no weapons at hand, taijutsu may be all you have to protect yourself.
Congratulations, you aced the quiz! If you're ready to learn more, read How to Act
Like You're Possessed

Shinobi-iri

Sōjutsu

Kenjutsu

Community Q&A

Question

Can I be a ninja without any weapons?

Community Answer

Absolutely! A ninja's real weapon is his/her mind and body. Taijutsu is critical for a ninja to
know and master. Maintaining a healthy mind set as well is equally important for a ninja, if
stuck in a sticky situation. A true ninja can think of multiple ways to solve a situation within a
strict time when weapons are out of the question.
Helpful 357 Not Helpful 29

Question

What is the best age to start training to be a ninja?

Community Answer

Ideally, very young -- around 6 or 7. But you can also start in your teen years and 20s.
Helpful 439 Not Helpful 43

Question

How do I overcome my fear about going on a mission?

Community Answer

Think positively about the mission. Think ahead about all of your moves, what possible
consequences might happen and be prepared to avert any negative consequences with
good planning. Have trust in your training.
Helpful 493 Not Helpful 53

Question

How can I be silent like a ninja?

Community Answer

Learn how to walk silently by rolling your feet and breathe slowly to remain quiet.
Helpful 285 Not Helpful 28

Question

What do ninjas wear?

Community Answer

Ninjas are stealthy and therefore try to blend in with their surroundings. They wear clothes
that don't make them stand out and outfits that facilitate easy, fast movements.
Helpful 369 Not Helpful 38

Question

How can I defend yourself?

Community Answer

It depends on what you're up against. If it is a sword, then your best option is to dodge. If you
have a weapon, use that to swipe away your enemy's defense. You can also buy something
that you think might be helpful.
Helpful 196 Not Helpful 18

Question

I want to learn everything about being a ninja. What should my first step be?

Community Answer

First, learn their history, who they were, what they did, etc. Then learn stealth techniques,
like being able to move in a dark room or being able to sneak into a room. Then get fit and
learn how to fight.
Helpful 287 Not Helpful 29

Question

How do I overcome injury in battle?

Community Answer

The ninja of old put themselves in a kind of mindset that, although it was really nothing more
than an extreme form of concentrated focus, allowed them to to basically ignore serious
physically threatening injuries for a period of time.
Helpful 50 Not Helpful 3

Question

Can I learn to a ninja at home?

Community Answer

Sure. You can read up on it, watch YouTube videos, and practice on your own or with a
friend or mentor.
Helpful 19 Not Helpful 0

Question

Which country can one actually go to learn and master all the skills of a ninja perfectly?

Community Answer

As obvious as it may be, it is Japan. But there are no official Ninjitsu dojos in the country.
Most are hidden or yet, not officially recognized. Although learning kenjitsu and taijuitsu is
the most closest thing you can do on acquiring the basic handset of a ninja, you can
improvise your techniques to adapt to the ninja's skills.
Helpful 257 Not Helpful 34

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Tips

Get Started in Parkour. Parkour is compatible with being a ninja because it not only allows
you to escape and hide easily, but it also builds strength and agility. Parkour will be more
useful than free running as it concentrates on effectiveness and speed more than showing
off and is used for personal development.

Know how to use self-defense the right way. If not used properly it can be a very
dangerous thing.

Ninjutsu is a lifelong pursuit, and shall take a lifetime to master, so don't get impatient.
There is always room for improvement. Don't expect to become a true ninja in a week.
Shinobi usually start at the time of childhood until they are about 20-25 and they keep on
going to become better. It's like in school, we start at childhood and finish high school and
you have an option to go on further.

You should become very flexible and strong before becoming a ninja.

Try to surprise an enemy by turning off the lights and you right in front of them.

A ninja must be fast and brave.

Normally, ninjas begin their training at a very young age. But Masaaki Hatsumi, a ninja
grandmaster, started his training when he was 27 years old. (Note: he was involved with
various other martial arts disciplines before focusing on ninjutsu).

Ninjas are known to wear disguises, so they can spy on enemies or to get closer to their
intended target. They also wear normal clothing to appear as the common person when
traveling to other places.

Ninjas don't always work alone. Historically, the best known groups of ninja came from the
Iga and Koga clans, so if you have a friend(s) who is (are) into the ninja business or you
know of any other ninja in your area, then work out some kind of agreement to work
together to accomplish a mission or start a clan. Only join together with someone that you
would trust with your life. If possible you might need a real ninja to help you train.

Try to keep the fact that you're a ninja hidden because if that info falls into the wrong
hands, it will cost you greatly.

Show 10 more tips

Warnings

The ninja is an important role, do not compromise it.

The ninja you see in movies and comic books are vastly different than reality. Always keep
that in mind.

Use your skills, but don't forget your natural talents as well. When able to use peace as a
cunning weapon against the task ahead, it is most wise over violence.

Your body is your tool and weapon. If you injure yourself, go to the doctor or to the
emergency room. And don't forget to treat past injuries in a proper manner.

Dressing all in black with one's face covered will raise alarm if spotted. This is why you
should wear civilian clothing (unless, of course, it's Halloween.)

If one's motivations to be a ninja involve any of the following: to provoke and engage in
open physical confrontations, for notoriety, or solely for revenge and inflict harm (self
absorbed reasons), then thou shalt never be ninja... just an angry individual in dark
clothing covering its face. There is a big and clear distinction.

Ninja don't wear bright colors, (i.e. orange/red). Wear black or dark blue to blend into the
night (or white to blend into the snow).

If you're on the street, it's late and someone has already seen you, stop whatever you're
doing and act normal, they might think you're a thief or a murderer.

During training there is nothing better than trial by fire. However, if one tries to evade,
confront, and/or combat local law enforcement or engage in any other criminal activity to
test ninjitsu skills: one must be truly ready to accept the consequences one's actions
will bring.

Things You'll Need

Dark blue, white (if snowy) or gray outfit. Choose dark blue or gray if you will be in low
light, not full darkness. Dark blue is preferred over all at night.(Black will look like a
shadow moving) Only wear black if it is pitch black. As stated earlier, black will stand out.
Depending on the mission some times you need to wear normal clothes.

Ninja stars (called shuriken).

Martial arts training.

Ninja sword (Ninjato).

You could use knives, kunai knives, throwing knives, etc., for close and long range
combat.
Weapons skills of most melee weapons will work if no sword is available.

Always have a disguise at the ready. But if you use a disguise too many times it will
become obvious. Try to blend.

Related wikiHows

How to How to
Act Like You're Possessed Act Like a Mermaid at School

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Convince Your Friends You're a Mermaid Annoy Your Teachers

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References

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja
2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja#Historical_garb.2C_technique.2C_and_image

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