Neo-ninja

Neo-ninja, sometimes used in conjunction with the term Gendai Ninpo, refers to modern martial arts schools which claim to teach elements of the historic ninja of Japan, or base their school's philosophy upon traits attributed to the historic ninja of Japan.

Among Neo-ninja schools there is a lot of variety, some attempt to obscure the sources of their teachings with an aura of mysticism, while others state that they teach eclectic an curriculum from a variety of other "non ninja" arts. Many neo-ninja schools came into being in the 1980s during the "ninja boom".

The topic of modern ninjutsu is often of debate in martial arts forums and there are some that believe that modern Ninjutsu practitioners were in fact the first neo-ninjas. Some articles also question the background of Masaaki Hatsumi head of the Bujinkan organization one of the better known organizations that describe their curriculum as ninjutsu, thought there are several.

The term American Ninjutsu also is used commonly with neo-ninja, as the term neo-ninja is used mostly in a negative manner. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22169&page=5

Unfair Business Competition/Trade Libel

In stark contrast to "Neo-Ninja" business competitors the franchise brands who benefit by it are the Iga Togakure / Ninpo / Bujinkan / Genbukan Ninjutsu franchises. They allege to be the custodians of the super secret 15th century martial art while also engaged in selling home study courses promoted as being “solely” or more “legitimate”; inferring competitive threats that challenge them, like Frank Dux, Ashida Kim, etc. as “Neo-Ninja” or “Gendai, Ninpo” who profess being a custodian of 15th Century tactics violates the principle of consistent adaptability and innovation that is responsible for its invention.

In actuality, the brands Iga Togakure / Ninpo / Bujinkan / Genbukan Ninjutsu while they all claim a centuries old lineage are themselves viewed in Japan as Gendai budō (現代武道) "meaning "modern martial way". The Japanese expression that is used to define the modern Japanese martial arts established after the Meiji Restoration (1866 to 1869).

Notably, given the observable and substantive fact these Ninja franchises make use of kyū and dan rankings. These rankings replaced the various certificates awarded within koryū. Another important determining factor is Gendai budō generally do not contain the same strong entrance oaths and rituals as koryū, such as the keppan ("blood oath") and do not possess colored belt ranking, an invention of the founder of Judo, Kano Jigoro(嘉納 治五郎) 1860–1938 .

In addition, while the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai honored Bujinkan soke Masaaki Hatsumi for his cultural contributions, it becomes overtly obvious Iga Togakure / Ninpo / Bujinkan / Genbukan and Frank Dux Ryu Ninjutsu are NOT koryu and are all technically Neo-ninja. Given the overt fact no “Ninja” martial art organization has been formally integrated into the major koryu organizations, in Japan, the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai and the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai, that have very strict standards regarding authenticity and verification of one's lineage .

See also

• Schools of Ninjutsu
• Ashida Kim
• Frank Dux
• Rick Tew
• Glen Levy