ok, dunno where this thread went after a while but in response to the original topic,
the "ninja" when referred to as a cultural group did not exist. This is one of the most stupid questions ever asked. And please, don't say "fellow swordsmen" if you call yourself one, you're insulting real swordsmen, wat are you anyway? 4?
TV and movies are the WORST sort of information on martial arts. seek out some good literature on the topic or find a good class.
Have fun watching cartoon network

Does anyone know anything about ninja history? I've heard stories about samurai waging war against the ninja because the shogun at the time feared their power, and 2 notable battles occurring, something like 19000 samurai against 2500 ninja on their home ground, ninja winning outright, and another with 45000 saumrai against 4000 ninja, ninja losing but samurai sustaing very heavy casualties (and one of the ninja assasinating the shogun anyway).

Can someone with a reliable knowledge of Ninja or Japanese history in general perhaps clarify or disprove this story?

Sorry everyone for posting my reply about jukiden. I meant to type Jikiden.

I would like to say something directly to Charles Maham. I have been living in Japan for over 12 years and have been practice aikido and iaido for for over 10 of those. The information that I gave is directly from the test given to those who wish to take their third fourth or fifth black belt in Iaido.

So in regards to this statement about sayano uchi that I gave, well it is exactly as it stands. If you wish to question this, by all means please do so. Here, I will give you a listing of my source. Just look at the third name from the list.
http://www.hidecnet.ne.jp/~noriha/ibadoren/zen.htm
http://www.kendorenmei-shizuoka-pref.com/deisyu568.htm

‰H‰ê’‰—˜ My teacher

‹��‡“¹”ÍŽm”ª’i

(�à)‘S“ú–{Œ•“¹“¹�ê˜A–¿•›‰ï’·

�ɪŒ§ŒxŽ@–¼—_Žt”Í

•��u“¯‘‹‰ï‰ï’·

—{�SŒ•—F‰ï‰ï’·

Haga Sensei also had an older brother who unfortantely past away some time ago. His brother taught Takakura Ken iaido and Kendo. You can also check that out in the subscription od Kendo Nihon http://www.skijournal.co.jp/kendo/book/0308/main.html


He is my teacher here in shizuoka. I would like to know who yours is. Maybe some American guy named john? Let me say that I would, without hesitation, take my teachers word over yours. I don't think 3 dan even qualifies you to lecture someone who holds two ranks above you.

But without becoming bitter. I recommend yu just check for yourself. Or better yet, just get you chibby butt out of clear water, come to Japan to take your 4th dan test. Have you ever even been in Japan?


So before you question other peoples knowledge and accuse them of getting info from the web. be very sure you know what you are talking about.

For those of your who practice Budo, I wish you all the success. for those of you who like to read about budo and prance around thinking you know what you are talking about, that would be you grasshopper, pick up your shinken or in your case maybe a mogito and just praktice. Stop trying to be a guru.

Chareles-‹��‡“¹Šm‚è•×‹­‚ð‚µ‚È‚³‚¢�I�I

Apologies for the Japanese. This site doesn't have the proper reading tools.

An additional apology for any mistakes in spelling the previous messages. I hold a 5th kyyu in typing. hehe

Sorry but now I'm a little curious if Japanese swordsmen or Korean swordsmen are better.

Wait, so are there such things as ninja swords or not?

In terms of the "ninja-to" (straight blade, square tsuba), no there isn't.

So does a ninja have a special type of sword or not?

Assassin

No, they did not.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Benjamin1986:
Let me elaborate on Charles' statement. The "ninja" as known in popular culture didn't exist, so your question is mood at the get-go. However, your question has some other problems.

With both ninja and samurai, you had those who were blademasters, as well as many who never entered combat. This question is so general that it is impossible to answer conclusively, like those endless rapier-vs-katana arguments.

If you meant on a whole, here's how you find out: hire fifty kenjitsu swordsmen, and pit them one on one against real ninjitsu students (good luck finding real ones; many don't even call their art ninjistu anymore due to the Mcdojos). Then, come back and tell us how the tournament went.

[This message has been edited by Benjamin1986 (edited 02-14-2005).][/QUOTE]

you should study more on this stuff. you think ninjas are fake and you are wrong. so Don't speach unless you know what you say.