Anshu Christa Jacobson – Bansenshukai – 萬川集海

HISTORICAL NINJUTSU – BANSENSHUKAI – 萬川集海

In 1676, Fujibayashi Yasutake in Higashi-yufune edited the Bansenshukai for the fear of losing the value of Ninjutsu (Ninja’s skills and techniques). It those days, the Bansenshukai remained to be like the Bible among all of Ninjas. So, having the Banseshukai was permitted for the top class of Ninjas. the Bansenshukai was strictly forbidden to be shared.

The Banseshukai meaning is 10.000 rivers gathering into 1 sea. That is to say, the 10.000 rivers are compared to all kinds of Ninjutsu in Iga and Koga, and the 1 sea was Fujibayashi Yasutake’s Ninjutsu. The Bansenshukai was a written transmission of philosophy, military strategy tactics, astrology and weapons that were identified specifically with Ninjutsu, Fujibayashi Yasutake was influenced by Chinese thought, and even indicates a connection to Chinese military traditions in its writings. He presented the material as the ultimate accumulation and perfection of Ninjutsu knowledge.

As the name, “the Bansenshukai” itself suggested it’s collection includes one volume of introduction, a question and answer section, and a table of contents; 2 volumes on thought and philosophy, 4 volumes on leadership, 3 volumes on “Yo Ninjutsu; “5 volumes on “In Ninjutsu,” 2 volumes on astrology and 5 volumes on weapons. The Iga version has 22 chapters bound in 12 volumes with an additional 4 chapters in 4 volumes. The Koga Version has twenty-two chapters bound in ten volumes, with an additional one volume attached to it.

In the Bansenshukai there were writing about the 11 most wonderful Iga Ninjas: in Iga area, Nomura-no-Magodayu; Shindo-no-Kotaro; Tateoka-no-Dojun; Shimotsuge-no-Kizaru and Kozaru; in Ueno area, Ueno-no-Hidari; Kanbe-no-Konan; Takayama-no-Taroshiro and Tarozaemon; in Oyamada area, Yamada-no-Hachiuemon; In Ayama area, Otowa-no-Kido. It was from Tateoka-no -Dojun that Dojun school started and later expanded into the 49 known Iga schools. That is to say, Iga Ninjutsu had 49 schools.

“The Bansenshukai,” even at the end of Edo period were much worth. Around 1940 Nakano Military School for the special military in Japan, used the Bansenshukai as a text of tactics and psychology in battle.

Kobayashi Sensei told me (when training in the Tomo Ryu methods of ninjutsu) that the Bansenshukai was the backbone of all ninjutsu and outside of the makimono of the ryu, I was to refer to the bansenshukai. All black belt students of the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo get a translated copy of the bansenshukai to aid in their training.

I hope that this helps better your understanding of Historical Ninjutsu! Take Care, Be Safe and Good luck in your Journey of Budo!

Anshu Christa Jacobson

January 11, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Anshu Christa Jacobson, Authentic, bansenshukai, Historical, history, Iga, jutsu, Koga, Koka, Ninja, Ninjutsu, Ninpo, ogiden, Real, Ryu, Shinobi, Shinobi no Mono, shoninki, Tomo | Leave a comment

Anshu Christa Jacobson – Noroshizutsu

HISTORICAL NINJUTSU – NOROSHIZUTSU

In Japanese Noroshizutsu means wolf smoke pipe. Noroshi was used to send signals. Ninjas were good at getting and sending information. As a fuel for noroshi, Ninjas put dry wolf’s dung into the pipe. The reason why ninjas used wolf dung because it added more smoke and more power.

January 11, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Anshu Christa Jacobson, Authentic, bansenshukai, Historical, history, Iga, jutsu, Koga, Koka, Ninja, Ninjutsu, Ninpo, ogiden, Real, Ryu, Shinobi, Shinobi no Mono, shoninki, Tomo | Leave a comment

Anshu Christa Jacobson – Shinobi Iroha

HISTORICAL NINJUTSU – SHINOBI IROHA

The Ninjas’ special code : Ninjas made the code difficult to decipher in oreder to prevent from breaking it. Shinobi-iroha was used by one school of 49 Iga Ninjas. The code consited of 49 letters, and two types of kanji. The left letters of kanji represent the 5 basical elements of Earth and 2 human represntations, they are wood, fire, earth, gold, water, man and body. Each of the right letters represent the colors, they are color, blue, yellow, red, white, black and purple

January 11, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Anshu Christa Jacobson, Authentic, bansenshukai, Historical, history, Iga, jutsu, Koga, Koka, Ninja, Ninjutsu, Ninpo, ogiden, Real, Ryu, Shinobi, Shinobi no Mono, shoninki, Tomo | Leave a comment