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There are three main schools of study available to people seeking this art today. They are the Bujinkan, the Jinenkan, and the Genbukan. Any school of Ninjutsu that is not licensed by one of these three institutions is most likely fraudulent and should be avoided. Be wary of people who show off pictures as a means of proving their credentials.

Authentic Ninjutsu instructors will have a full license in the art signed by their respective grandmaster from Japan. And while many groups purport to teach a “modern interpretation” of Ninjutsu, they are not teaching the authentic style and should be avoided.

Of the three families, the Bujinkan is the oldest and most respected. Headed by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, who has been honored as a national living treasure by the Japanese government, the school has the widest ranging number of schools throughout the world. Both the Jinenkan and Genbukan are offshoots of the Bujinkan, formed by students who wanted to teach their personal methods and interpretations of Ninjutsu.

Training in Ninjutsu usually begins with the new student receiving instruction in basic stances called “kamae” (kah-my-eh), basic ground hitting, rolling, and falling, and simple techniques designed to give them an immediate repertoire of practical self-protection tools. Focus may include work on developing strong punches and kicks, honing balance, and improving awareness.

As the student progresses, techniques expand to include counters, and the essence of flow is stressed to ensure the student can respond appropriately to whatever situation with which they are presented. Continuous improvement on staying safe while applying techniques helps prepare the student for possible confrontations on the street.

Advanced black belt degrees include refinement of techniques, the reacquiring of primal awareness, special sensory exercises, strategic applications, and personal development.

Just as the ninja of old worked hard to perfect themselves so their missions could be accomplished with minimal fanfare, today’s student of Ninjutsu trains hard and represents the truly diverse society in which we live. Students, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, teachers, artists, writers, engineers, scientists, retail salespeople and everyone in between are all likely participants in this truly exciting and comprehensive martial arts system, drawn together by a common bond of wanting the most practical self-protection training available today.