Ongyōjutsu (隠形術); Kannon-gakure
Ongyōjutsu (隠形術) – Disappearing Techniques (隠形術)
KANNON-GAKURE (God Hiding)
Ongyojutsu (隠形術) is the art of disappearing and hiding (or what others say “invisibility” techniques). When talking about this form of hiding, usually the techniques such as (1) Kitsune-gakure (2) Uzura-gakure (3) Kannon-gakure (4) Tanuki-gakure and (5) Ukigusa-gakure are just some of the hiding techniques that come to mind when talking about this forms of Ongyōjutsu (隠形術) within classical ninjutsu.
In the photo above I am teaching the technique “Kannon-gakure” (a.k.a God Hiding). This is done within a house or residence of the enemy where you are trying to gain or take vital information. However, the photo above is me demonstrating the principals of the technique during the 2011 shinobi no mono stealth camp.
When you are doing this you are to be walking within the hallway, or residence, you are also to be wearing dark colors and to be walking in the shadows of the hallway as well. When you sense that the enemy is walking near, you stay within the shadows and press your body up against the wall.
Cover your mouth with your sleeve of your jacket and breathe as little as possible, this is because when they walk by you, they are so close that they will be able to feel your breathe on them, so total concentration is needed!
Lower you face into your sleeve, and to a rhythm of your racing heart silently chant the following:
— “On Ah Ni Chi Ma Ri Shi E I So Wa Ka” —
It’s written that you have to say this “within” your mouth, which can be translated as saying this in your head. Clearly if you say it out loud they will spot you and then kill you. It is also said that this is the mantra that you say before you go on the mission, so that there is no need to say it when you are on a mission. However; the usage of this is key as it makes sense that you would say it when on the mission in your head to calm your nerves and anxiety that you are feeling as the man that wants to kill you is full armed and walking within inches of your body.
This is to be done wearing the classical shinobi garb (shinobi shōzoku 忍び装束) and also making use of the zukin (hood) as this will help aid cover the natural tones and silhouette of the human form. However this can also be done wearing dark colors as well and using one of the basic tools of the ninja the “sanjaku tengui”.
In this photo above I was not wearing the shinobi shōzoku (忍び装束) but utilized what I had so that I could demonstrate the use of this technique to the students.
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There are many names that are associated with the art as well as other collections of training for infiltration, evasion, hiding and extraction. To name a few of these names & collections:
Onshin no Hō (隠身の法)
methods for attaining invisibility
Onshin no Jutsu (隠身の術)
techniques for attaining invisibility
Onshin Tongyō no Jutsu (隠身遁形の術)
techniques to hide the body so it seems to be gone, or get out of line of sight;techniques for concealment and escaping)
Inton no Jutsu (隠遁の術)
escape and disappearing techniques
Tenchijin Santon no Hō (天地人三遁の法)
Three methods of escaping using Heaven, Earth and Man
Tonjutsu (遁術)
Fleeing techniques; to run away and hide
Tonkō no Jutsu (遁行の術)
escaping techniques
Tongyō no Jutsu (遁形の術)
vanishing techniques; disappearing techniques
Tonpō (遁法)
Fleeing methods; to run away and hide
Omote Gotonpō (表五遁法)
Five escaping methods
Ura Gotonpō (裏五遁法)
Reverse five escaping methods
Metsubushi no Tonpō (目潰しの遁法)
Blinding and fleeing methods
Goton no Jutsu (五遁之術)
***** Mokuton-no-jutsu (木遁之術)
***** Doton-no-jutsu (土遁之術)
***** Kinton-no-jutsu (金遁之術)
***** Suiton-no-jutsu (水遁之術)
***** Katon-no-jutsu (火遁之術)
I hope that you all enjoy today’s lesson!
Take Care, Be Safe and Good Luck in your Journey of Budo!
Anshu Christa Jacobson
21st Soke of the Tomo Ryu Tradition
Headmistress of the Budo Ryu – School of the Warrior Way
Founder of the Budo Ryu Online University
Owner of the Ninjutsu Super Store
Chief Editor of the Shinobi no Mono Magazine
Founder of the Ninjutsu International Federation
Professional Model and Artist
Anshu Christa Jacobson 