How to Learn Ninja Techniques

Co-authored by Dany Zelig

Last Updated: September 9, 2024 Fact Checked

The true techniques of the ninja are taught in secrecy. Whenever a ninja thought of new techniques, they would write it down into makimono or scrolls for the next generation's ninja. There are some ways of the ninja that are better known to the western world.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Dressing the Part

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Understand the style. The contemporary ninja varies from the classic perception portrayed by movies. The formal gown worn by the ninja is a navy blue gown with a covered face. In action, a ninja acts more like a chameleon than a warrior.
- There are many articles that tell you ninja clothes (shinobi shozoku) should be tight-fitting to avoid making noise. The clothes should instead fit your body in a loose style.
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Dress for stealth. You will need clothes that fit the environment around you. The idea of camouflage is to distort your shape so you won’t be easily identified. Matching the people around you has become important for the modern ninja. This sometimes means studying the people around you and being able to easily adapt.
- Being unnoticed is important for a ninja.
- Your nightclothes should be dark blue and comfortable. Consider wearing a keikogi, a martial arts training top, and a hakama, or loose fitting formal pants. The bottom parts of your hakama should be tucked into your tabi (ninja boots) and tied with a string for each foot.^{[1]
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You don't need to spend a lot of money at a specialty store for the authentic look. A traditional wardrobe doesn't create a ninja. Soccer sweat pants can be a great substitute for pants. Pair that with a dark blue t-shirt or turtleneck, a dark ski mask and you’re a modern ninja.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Understanding Stealth Techniques

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Practice Nuki Ashi. This is one of the techniques of Shinobi Aruki. It is very useful for moving across creaky floor boards and the like. Start in a low crouching position with your arms extended for balance. Put most of your weight on the front leg. Move the back leg from the rear and swing it close to your other leg so it barely touches at the ankles.
- Extend the moving leg forward and use it to feel for any creaky floor boards. Then starting from the outer edge of your foot, ease your weight onto that leg.
This is a walking technique used to travel along walls and through tight spaces. Yoko aruki starts with one's back against the wall. Move the rear leg in the direction of travel. Bend the knees deeply when doing this. Once in this position, move the other leg sideways in front of the other leg and in the direction of travel. This movement should be smooth.^{[2]
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This is a good technique for walking through high brush or water. First, lift your front leg straight out of the brush. Slide your foot over the spot in which you intend to step. Point your foot straight down and step into the brush. After the foot has reached the ground return it to a normal position.^{[3]
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Perhaps the best way to move about, crouching allows less of you to be seen while moving.
Excellent for visual concealment, the crawl is good for crossing soft grass and clean surfaces. The crawl is not good for crossing anything noisy such as hard grass, leaves, and rocky terrain.
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Use other stealth tips. When you're about to turn around a corner, listen for footsteps or talking around or behind a wall. If you're skilled enough, you can tell which direction they are facing by listening to them. Be sure to press your weight against the wall, and crouch as low as you can to peer around the corner.
- The lower you are, the less chance they'll see you.
- When ascending stairs, if they are creaky, walk on the side of them, closest to the wall.

Part 3

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Learning to Fight

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Learn Jiu jitsu. Jiu jitsu is a great foundation to martial arts practice because the fighting style relies on balance. Much of the jiu jitsu takes your opponent's strength and uses it against them.^{[4]
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Research source} If you belong to a Jujutsu school, you'll begin with the elementary throws and grapples. One of the first skills you learn is to relax during training. This enables you to train longer without becoming exhausted and also is good preparation to becoming a ninja.
- The core of Jujutsu is fighting without weapons.
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Discover ninjutsu organizations. Some larger cities have ninjutsu schools that are open for willing patrons. This is the best way to learn the true techniques a of ninja’s fighting style. The core idea of ninjutsu is stealth.
- A modern fictitious ninja who incorporates this fighting style is Batman.
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Learn from a trainer. Although knowing a traditional Japanese style of fighting is preferred, receiving any type of martial art training will help. You can always adapt the ways of your martial arts style into a stealth based style.
- You can also seek out further training after receiving a basic martial arts training.

Part 4

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Using Ninja Accessories

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Use throwing spears. Hold the Bo-Shuriken in your hand with the point facing the same direction as your fingers. Hold it in place by your middle and index finger. Tuck your thumb over it to keep the bottom half secure. Point your arm that is not holding it towards the target. Then position your foot on the side of that hand in front of the target. Raise the hand that's holding the bo-shuriken next to your head.
- Bring the BS holding hand straight down, accelerating as you bring it down. Make sure it's powerful enough so that it slips out of your hand.
- Try not to be too powerful or you won't have much accuracy.^{[5]
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Hold the shuriken in your hand by gripping the outside of a point. Reach around your body to where you back pocket would be, and then pull your arm around and let your wrist snap forward. This will take practice at first. Only worry about the accuracy and not the power, distance, or looking cool.
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Wield a sword. There are five basic postures of wielding a sword in a ninja style.
- Jodan no Kamae. This entails holding the sword overhead at a 45 degree angle.
- Seigan no Kamae. This technique places the sword handle at hip level with the tip aiming at your adversary's eyes.
- Chudan no Kamae. For this, the sword is held at your center, above waist level with the tip pointing to your adversary's stomach.
- Hasso no kamae. Have the sword at your side in a manner similar to a baseball bat.
- Gedan no kamae. The sword handle will be at your hip’s height so the tip aims towards the opponent's feet.
Smoke bombs are a classic get away technique. You can either make your own smoke bombs or buy them at a store. Ask a local marital artist if they could help you find this type of smoke bomb.

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How can I build up my stamina?

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Do cardio exercises, like bike riding, running or walking.

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Where can I get a ninja mask?

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A ninja mask was usually a long three foot scarf or fabric that would wrap around the head twice. You can buy this at a fabric store and make it yourself or see if you can order one online.

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Can I wear an outfit on which there is a cobra to scare off people?

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The objective is to camouflage yourself. Don't aim for looks, aim for stealth.

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Tips

Don't hold your breath while sneaking around, because when you finally breathe, it will be louder. Breathe slowly and calmly through your nose.

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To learn Taijutsu, join a Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu dojo; however a Genbukan, Jinenkan, or Toshin-do dojo is probably fine as well, as they are also based on Takamatsu-den Ryu-ha. If none are available, look for any dojo that teaches Koryu Bujutsu (While these styles may not teach Taijutsu, it's probably the closest you'll be able to get excluding those listed above).

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Many practitioners of Taijutsu have black belts in other arts such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Wushu, Jiujitsu, etc. Having previous martial arts experience can be useful, but it is certainly not necessary.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Practice stealth techniques regularly. Work on walking silently, crouching, crawling, etc. Stay alert and focused when sneaking. Don't hold your breath — breathe slowly and calmly.
Choose your ninja attire wisely. Avoid anything illegal like ski masks. Go for dark, loose clothing that blends into the environment. Adapt your look to match those around you.
Learn a martial art for combat skills. Try jujitsu for throwing and grappling or ninjutsu for a stealth focus. Supplement with other arts like karate or archery.
Stay fit with cardio, strength training and sports. Good overall fitness will aid stealth and combat. Run, swim, play sports — improve agility and endurance.
Study your environment and opponents. Climb to higher vantage points when possible. Watch enemy movements and patterns from cover. Use calm focus.

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Warnings

Don't go in public places wearing a Ninja outfit. You'll be classified as a major dork, and you may have to go to a police station to be interrogated.

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The things shown here are only 10% of real ninjutsu. The rest is hidden.

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