AboutJoe Maurantonio Expertise I can answer questions about ninja and samurai history, tradition, philosophy and training. This includes queries about ninjutsu skills, taijutsu (unarmed lessons), budogu (weapons lessons), warriorship, and my personal experiences with the martial arts. [Please, No Private Questions.]
Organizations
Bujinkan Dojo Shidoshi Kai Instructors Association (1991 - present)
American Shidoshi Kai (see www.shidoshikai.com ) (1997 - present)
Publications
Ninja Magazine [Writer] (1986)
Sanmyaku USA [Associate Editor] (1992-1997)
Ninpo: Wisdom for Life [Book Publisher, available Amazon.com] (1998)
Kihon Newsletter (1999-2003) [Writer, available kihon.com/newsletter]
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Master of Arts Degree
Awards and Honors
Shidoshi Instructors license (1991)
Shihan title (2003)
Expert: Joe Maurantonio Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: Ninjutsu / Taijutsu
Question Mr Maurantonio,
I am a practitioner of both Kendo and Judo with several years of training in each. However, a few years ago I had to cease my training due to major changes in my life ( attending college, marriage, and joining the military ). I am still young at the age of 21 and my life has stabilized since halting my training. I am experienced with the Japanese culture as I speak the language semi-fluently and have studied two of their martial arts thus far, so I am familiar with some aspects of Ninjutsu. Though, admittedly, I am still very in the dark with it's philosophy and application. Since joining the military, I have decided I would like to continue my martial arts training but in a new form. I am seeking a practical use martial art that will reinforce the duties of my job. I greatly appreciate the lessons I have learned from both Kendo and Judo but I find both martial arts limited in real-life application (other than conditioning of the mind and body). So my question is, does Ninjutsu teach it's practitioner techniques that are highly applicable to a real-life, life or death encounter? If so, are there teachings that allow the practitioner to chose between stunning their opponent as opposed to striking fatally? By all means, I am willing to take another life in the sole event a person threatens the well being of me, my family, friends, comrades, etc; but with today's society, and lawsuit vulnerability, one needs to alter severity depending on local (I'm not always going to be deployed). And I find that although some will always rely on ammunition (I'm aware a weapon is my best friend), I am of the understanding ammunition is finite. Another question I have is in regards to the differences in Ninjutsu styles: i.e. Bujinkan, Koga Ryu, Nintaijutsu. What are your suggestions for me that will best suit my needs of practical self-defense and military reinforcement?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Answer Thank you very much for these questions. First off let me also thank you for being a part of our military. I admire your decision to join and support our nation in these difficult times.
As for the ninjutsu training I've experienced, I whole-heartedly believe that my training in the Bujinkan has offered me many advantageous lessons in how to best protect my family, friends and self in times of confrontations and conflict. Some of the major lessons we drill are awareness of environment, control of distance, and the unbalancing of one's opponent. Furthermore, our training explores the use of many differing types of weaponry.
In most Bujinkan dojo, the first lessons you learn will be immediately applicable to a confrontation on a street corner or on the battlefield. The lessons are adaptable to both situations; quickly employed, non-lethal and terminal; some lessons teach how o disarm, dissuade or disable an assailant. Or, if need be, permanently dispatch an intended killer. Recently, as much as a third of our students are law enforcement or military members. It goes without saying that they know the true value of what is being demonstrated.
As with all things, I'm partial to the style of ninjutsu that I have practiced since the early 1980's. At the time I became a member of the Bujinkan, there were no other authentic styles. And so I think that my answer here is that I prefer to train with the source (Masaaki Hatsumi, Bujinkan dojo) rather than a mere shadow.
I wish you well on your choices. Live well, Train hard!
Joe maurantonio, shidoshi
Bujinkan New York Dojo
wwwBNYD.com
