curriculum-nintaijutsuchuuden

Nintaijutsu Chuuden

Nintaijutsu (忍体術) is a secret form of armed and unarmed combat which focuses on evading and misdirecting the opponent in order to escape. Nintaijutsu chuuden is an intermediate learning module that takes core foundation and principles from the shoden module and applies it to drills, paired techniques and advanced ninjutsu concepts.

The fundamentals of nintaijutsu are split into three levels; shoden, chuuden and jouden or beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Nintaijutsu chuuden is made up of 18 forms split into three categories, drills [keiko] (稽古), reverse captures [ura torite] (裏捕手), and concepts [gainen] (概念). These three areas are called Nintai Roppou Keiko, Nintai Roppou Ura Torite and Nintai Roppou Gainen respectively.

These forms are designed to reinforce muscle memory and practice good martial habits.

Prerequisites for Nintaijutsu Chuuden are:
- Shinhenjutsu Shoden
- Taihenjutsu Shoden
- Kihenjutsu Shoden
- Nintaijutsu Shoden

Nintaijutsu Chuuden Keiko - 忍耐術中伝稽古

Keiko (稽古) are drills that reinforce Kamae (構), Kyuusho (急所) and Kaihi (回避) into a flowing exercise with a giver and a receiver. This allows both parties to reinforce their training in a safe environment, while developing their skills and experience.

[一] Tonsou to Ichi - 遁走と一 (Escape and One): Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with joudan tsuki from ichi no kamae to the face. The receiver evades and strikes with shitou ken to the hoshi, while escaping with yoko aruki.

[二] Hachimonji to Tonsou - 八文字と遁走 (Figure Eight and Escape): Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with gedan tsuki from tonsou no kamae to the kimon. The receiver evades and strikes with kiten ken to the nagare or chidame, while escaping with yoko aruki.

[三] Hichou to Hachimonji - 飛鳥と八文字 (Flying Bird and Figure Eight): Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with age kiten from hachimonji no kamae to the yaku. The receiver evades with hichou no kamae and then kicks to the kimon, while escaping with yoko aruki.

[四] Happou Gakure to Hichou - 八方隠と飛鳥 (Eight Ways Concealing and Flying Bird ): Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with a kick to the kimon from hichou no kamae. The receiver evades uses metsubushi from happou gakure no kamae, while escaping yoko aruki.

[五] Hira Ichimonji to Happou Gakure - 平一文字と八方隠 (Level Straight Line and Eight Ways Concealing): Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with metsubushi from happou gakure no kamae. The receiver evades using otoshi and strikes with kiten ken to the kaku, while escaping with ura zenpou kaiten.

[六] Ichi to Hira Ichimonji- 一と平一文字 (One and Level Straight Line): 
Mirroring kamae. The opponent attacks with kiten ken from hira ichimonji no kamae. The receiver evades with otoshi and strikes to the yaku with kiten ken, while escaping with ura zenpou kaiten.

Nintaijutsu Keiko is the practical application of Nintaijutsu Shoden. These forms teach biomechanics and reinforce muscle memory and should be practiced as is. These are not combat techniques or intended for use in combat, they are drills and exercises that teach ideas and muscle memory. 

Nintaijutsu Chuuden Ura Torite - 忍体術中伝裏捕手

Ura Torite (裏捕手) are six reverse capturing techniques used against attacks from behind. Ura Torite can be used against both grabs or strikes, but rely on a connection with the opponent (grabbing on). Ura Torite are escaping techniques, if the opponent is not committed to grabbing on, then the first move should break the grip and allow escape. 

[一] Ura Musou Dori - 裏無双捕 (Reverse Ultimate Capture): Opponent grabs the shoulder. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply ura musou dori by placing the lead hand on the shoulder and pulling the opponent's arm to the rear hip. Throw the opponent and escape.

[二] Omote Nage - 表投  (Outside Throw)Opponent cross-grabs the shoulder. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply omote nage by placing the lead hand on the shoulder and pulling the opponent's arm to the rear hip. Throw the opponent and escape.

[三] Ura Seoi Nage - 裏背負投 (Reverse Shoulder Throw)Opponent grabs the elbow. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply ura seoi nage by placing the lead arm under the shoulder and pulling the opponent's arm to the rear hip. Throw the opponent and escape.

[四] Musha Dori - 武者捕 (Warrior Capture)Opponent cross-grabs the elbow. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply musha dori by placing the lead hand on the opponent's shoulder and pulling the your arm over the opponent's arm. Throw the opponent and escape.

[五] Ura Musha Dori - 裏武者捕 (Reverse Warrior Capture)Opponent grabs the wrist. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply ura musha dori locking the arm with the elbow and twisting it under the opponent's arm and grabbing the lapel or chest, then throwing to ground. Throw the opponent and escape.

[六] Oni Kudaki 鬼砕 (Demon Break)Opponent cross-grabs the wrist. Shift forward using ichi no kamae with the lead arm unencumbered (the non-grabbed side). Turn using ichi no kamae into the opponent and apply oni kudaki by bringing the rear arm up and the lead arm under the opponent's arm, then grabbing the opponent's arm and pulling down. Throw the opponent and escape.

Nintaijutsu Ura Torite are escapes first and foremost, and captures second. If the opponent is not committed to the grab and let go, then take the opportunity to escape. Each Ura Torite technique is an exercise and not intended for combat, however strikes and other techniques can be included to increase the power and potency of these techniques and turn them into true combat techniques. 

Nintaijutsu Chuuden Gainen - 体走術中伝概念

Gainen (概念) are general concepts used in ninjutsu to incapacitate, disarm or lame the opponent. Each gainen is an idea and serve to illustrate a way or method of dealing with an attack. Gainen incorporate everything taught in Nintaijutsu Shoden and Chuuden.

[一] Metsubushi Otoshi Tsuki - 目潰落突 (Vision Taking Drop Thrust): From ichi no kamae, drop down and use metsubushi while rolling using ura zenpou kaiten diagonally relative to the opponent. Land in hanza no kamae, then strike to the kimon, before escaping.

[二] Metsubushi Otoshi Keri - 目潰落蹴 (Vision Taking Drop Kick): From ichi no kamae, drop down and use metsubushi while rolling using ura zenpou kaiten parallel relative to the opponent. Land in hanza no kamae behind the opponent, then come up and kick to the kimon, before escaping.

[三] Ichi Kaeshi - 一返 (One Reversal): From ichi no kamae, receive the strike, then switch to ichi no kamae on the other side to receive the second attack, at that moment shift forward and strike to the amedo (neck). Step through with yoko aruki and escape.

[四] Tsuki Kaeshi - 突返 (Thrust Reversal): From ichi no kamae, receive the thrust and push it up while stepping through and striking to the face with the open palm. Step through with yoko aruki and escape. 

[五] Kerigakure - 蹴隠 (Hidden Kick): From ichi no kamae, receive the attack and kick up to the face with the rear leg. In that moment, step through with yoko aruki and escape. 

[六] Kirigakure - 斬隠 (Hidden Cut): From ichi no kamae, move straight through the opponent and strike through the kimon. Step through with yoko aruki and escape. 

Gainen are general concepts that illustrate the purpose behind the movement and tactics of ninjutsu. These ideas can be applied to other techniques and methods in various ways to create new techniques. Each gainen is a vehicle for learning and should be approached as a holistic lesson, rather then a technique. 

Review and Conclusion

Nintaijutsu Chuuden applies all the lessons learned in Shinhenjutsu and Nintaijutsu Shoden. Nintaijutsu is a non-combat system of martial arts focusing on escape, evasion and misdirection. Using nintaijutsu against combat arts like taijutsu or jujutsu in daylight or well lit areas will not end well. Nintaijutsu is a martial system heavily focused on staying out of close combat, avoiding confrontation and escaping from close quarters. It is very important to understand the purpose of Nintaijutsu and use it as intended.