Iga and Koka Ninja Skills: The Secret Shinobi Scrolls of Chikamatsu Shigenori
192
Iga and Koka Ninja Skills: The Secret Shinobi Scrolls of Chikamatsu Shigenori
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Overview
'A retainer of our domain, Renpeido Chikamatsu Hikonoshin Shigenori, each morning washed his face and hands, dressed himself in Hakama and prayed in front of the kamidana alter … His prayer was thus: "Please afford me success in war." He kept to this routine all through his life.' Through patient and scholarly detective work, Antony Cummins and the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team have unearthed a Shinobi treasure. The 18th-century military historian Chikamatsu recorded the oral traditions of the Ninja and passed on those skills in lectures he gave at his Renpeido school of war in Owari domain during the early 1700s. Chikamatsu wrote specifically about the Shinobi of Iga and Koka, regions from which warriors were hired all over the land in the days of war. The lost scrolls are filled with unknown Shinobi teachings, skills that include infiltration, assassination, explosives, magic and commando tactics, including an in depth commentary on Sun Tzu's famous 13th chapter, 'The Use of Spies'.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780752497327 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | The History Press |
| Publication date: | 07/01/2013 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 192 |
| File size: | 9 MB |
| Age Range: | 12 Years |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Iga and Koka Ninja Skills
The Secret Shinobi Scrolls of Chikamatsu Shigenori
By Antony Cummins, Yoshie Minami
The History Press
Copyright © 2013 Antony CumminsAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7524-9732-7
CHAPTER 1
PART I
THE SKILLS OF IGA AND KOKA
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
YOKAN KAJO DENMOKU KUGI
THE ORAL TRADITIONS OF IGA AND KOKA AND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES ON THE USE OF SPIES
The Upper Scroll
THE TRADITIONS OF IGA AND KOKA
There are two scrolls of additional articles pertaining to Koka shinobi and have been transmitted [to me] by Yasutaka [Kimura Okunosuke sensei]. Also, there is one scroll pertaining to the traditions of Iga shinobi which has been transmitted [to me] by Yorihide [Takenoshita Heigaku] sensei. For all of these manuals there is a small amount of oral tradition [that accompanies them] and these traditions have been passed on by memorizing and learning them each by heart so as to not lose this knowledge and therefore, since ancient times, they have never been written down.
I [Shigenori] have now made a resolution to combine the following two documents together; the Kajo [Koka traditions] and the Denmoku [Iga traditions] and also I have collected and written down six or seven out of ten of the oral traditions which have been passed on. The remaining three or four oral traditions out of every ten are such deep secrets that they have been omitted here, this is because they should be taught only through hearing them thoroughly and directly and only from one person to another. Therefore, you should have no doubts about these omissions but instead devote yourself to the study [of the arts which have been recorded here]. I have no intention of making anything secret within these writings, but only wish to pass down [these traditions] to those who have the ability and ambition [to learn them] so that these skills will not die out. This is my true hope and anyone who aims to learn these ways should learn them with extreme diligence and without neglect.
Written In the first days of the third month of 1737
In Bishu of Owari province
By [the founder] of the Renpeido school of war
Fujiwara Shigenori
1
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Shinobi no Kunden
THE TRADITIONS OF THE MEANING OF THE IDEOGRAM SHINOBI [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Koka traditions say:
This ideogram is called shinobi as they act in secret, away from the ears or the eyes.
Iga traditions say:
When you make a thing [that you have in hand] a deep secret, it is called shinobi.
The deepest secret traditions of Koka say [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] is from the ideogram [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] which means 'patience'. Thus it is called shinobi because the [skills of the shinobi] are skills you need to endure the unendurable or any difficulties or hardships that are imaginable. Those who follow this path should think of what the name of their profession truly means. If you keep this in mind at all times, you will be able to complete shinobi missions and distinguish yourself.
I, [Shigenori] say:
The point taken from the deepest secret traditions above is entirely appropriate.
2
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Shinobi no Kigen
CONCERNING THE ORIGIN OF SHINOBI
Iga traditions say:
According to the upper scroll of Records of Ancient Matters, the god Susanoo changed Princess Kushinada into a magic comb and put the comb in his hair, this comb was called Yutsutsumagushi, next [Susanoo] exterminated Yamata no Orochi, a giant eight-headed snake. This is the very origin of shinobi no Jutsu, the arts of the shinobi.
Koka traditions say:
According to the lower scroll of the same writing as above, the god Takamimusubi sent a bird called Nanashi no Kigishi – which means 'a common pheasant of no name' – to investigate [how the god he sent years beforehand was behaving on earth]. This is the origin of the shinobi.
Yasutaka [Kimura of Koka] says:
Our shinobi originated in the Age of the Gods, and their skills have been passed down until today, even across this extensive period of time. Although it is rare [that lineages should last so long], this actually is the case [with ours], this is because our shinobi [arts] are military skills which have their roots in the divine and are not [only] human affairs, as are those military tactics in other countries.
I, [Shigenori] say:
I think the tradition most appropriate is the one which says its origin is the myth in which the god Susanoo transformed [the princess before he killed the giant snake]. This is because, the bird Nanashi no Kigishi, that is, the nameless pheasant, was shot and killed with an arrow and therefore this theory is not appropriate. Furthermore, it is also inappropriate to say that someone from low birth who has no name was the ancestor [of the shinobi].
One night, Master Yorihide [of Iga], said to me that the Emperor Jimmu and the god Yamato Takeru both fought crusades and achieved great military feats by following the divine strategies of the god Susanoo. Susanoo began using shinobi no jutsu and killed the serpent in that story with ease. Therefore, his divine strategy gave birth to military tactics which have endured from then until now and here, in this point, is found the essence of divine warfare. However, these days shinobi no jutsu is thought to be performed by those who are middle level samurai and even lower people, that is, people feel it is a job for those [samurai] of lower position and also they read the ideograms [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] as 'shinobi' and call [shinobi] yato-gumi [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] which means 'a band of night thieves'. These points are totally incorrect. Some military scholars teach that shinobi no jutsu is not good enough for practical use, but this is because they themselves have not achieved this very mastery of military tactics, therefore, do not be swayed by their shallow opinions.
3
Kaze ni Noru no Tsutae
THE TRADITION OF RIDING ON THE WIND
Koka traditions say:
The wind has no shape and neither do the shinobi. Whatever the situation is, you should change your appearance dependent on the circumstances at hand and then infiltrate.
The traditions also say that the ideogram for wind also makes the word 'fuzoku' [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] which can mean 'manners and customs'. Take note that manners and customs vary in 66 ways in 66 provinces. Even in the same province things can differ as even those areas on the east side and the west side of Lake Biwa have different manners and customs from each other. Basically, it is primary to know what the manners and customs of any given area are like and to imitate them as much as you can, and to not act against the ways of local people.
Iga traditions say:
As the wind blows in through even a smallest gap, shinobi can infiltrate through any such small breaches. However, if the place is perfectly guarded and has no openings, it may be the case that not even the wind can blow in. Therefore, if there is no gap, you should not try to infiltrate needlessly, for if you do and if you push yourself too much, it can cause mistakes in the end.
Secret traditions say:
Wind never shows its shape to people's eyes and likewise, shinobi no jutsu should change so it too will not be detected.
4
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Unko no Tsutae
THE TRADITION OF THE MOVEMENT OF CLOUDS
Iga traditions say:
To communicate an urgent message from where you are on a covert mission, you should arrange for Tsugi Hikyaku, relay messengers. These messengers should be arranged at intervals and they should relay the message by running and from one person to another.
In later times it has become Haya Hikyaku express messengers, but there is a way to do this discreetly and this is only a way to be used in peacetime. You should have commoners instead of Bushi warriors perform this and pretend that the purpose [for their movement between areas] is to communicate current market prices; this is done so that people will not identify their real purpose [of passing messages and gathering information].
Koka traditions say:
Where you can see each other, use flags to communicate and where you cannot see each other, use smoke signals. Arrange for the number of flags, or the number of smoke signals to be made in order to communicate your message. At night communicate to each other with lights. For all situations, you should arrange messengers at intervals just as is done with relay messengers, so a message can be relayed as far as 100 ri and in no time at all.
Secret traditions say:
An example – if there is a roadside shrine on a hilltop, you should arrange for what specific message will be intended when you will put a flag on the right side or what meaning is carried if you put the flag on the left side. If you use lights, arrange for what message you will communicate if a fire is in front of the shrine and what message if the fire is in the rear of the shrine. This is also the case when you use a large tree instead of a roadside shrine. In any case, you should experiment and test before you actually use it.
5
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Nomi Shirami no Tsutae
THE TRADITION OF FLEAS AND LICE
Iga traditions say:
Fleas and lice live on people and go with them wherever they go, no matter if it is a palace or a magnificent castle. Just as fleas and lice move around, shinobi no mono should first make connections with certain people and then infiltrate by accompanying them. Take note, you should only infiltrate through a route where people do not pass, that is, by crossing a moat, or crossing over a wall [by infiltrating in stealth only] when it is a state of emergency.
The first thing you should do is pass through a gate by sticking close to people. If it is impossible to pass through a gate, then you should infiltrate by crossing over a moat or by climbing over a wall.
When teaching fundamental lessons, if you draw an illustration of a castle and show it to your students and ask them to identify the best point of entry for infiltration of that castle, you will find that those who are not talented tend to obsess with the name [and common image of the] shinobi and will say such things as: 'the corners of the wall are good for infiltration as they have good footholds' or 'I would climb up the concertina-style wall.' A smart student will say that he would go through the gate where people are passing through anyway. You may think it is difficult to go through a gate which is known for being secure but it actually can be easier [than infiltrating by stealth]. If someone says he would go through the gate, then you can say he is talented and has an aptitude for this job. Such a method of infiltration sounds difficult but in fact, it is actually easy, because you pass by disguising yourself as someone who can actually pass through there with ease.
Also tradition says:
If you use tens of shinobi no mono, there is no place you cannot infiltrate. A small number of fleas or lice can be got rid of, but once they have increased in number, it is difficult to kill them all as they are hiding everywhere. In the same manner, if tens of people infiltrate in various ways through various places, they will succeed in the end in collecting information by listening and watching.
The deepest secret traditions say:
Fleas or lice stick to the body inside of the clothes. In this manner, make anyone, if they are serving the enemy clan, or if they are a peasant or commoner, follow and obey you, make a shinobi agent for your side [from the enemy] and send them out – this is the so-called Internal Spy. If you make an ally of one of the enemy in any shape or form, and have the person bring you in [to their area], then you can infiltrate anywhere, no matter how deeply you need to go, and you can get secret information from anyone, no matter how close it is kept. It is very difficult for the enemy to defend against you if you gain an ally within them.
6
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Mitsume Kikitsume no Daiji
THE PRINCIPLE OF MITSUME AND KIKITSUME
Koka traditions say:
Kill two dogs while they are mating, and take the vagina and the male genitalia and put the second one into the first one and bury them both at a crossroads. Next pray every morning for seven days while offering a bowl of water, and asking that your wish will be fulfilled. Also spend these seven days without speaking a word and make a vow of silence. After these seven days take both of them [out of the ground] and put them in your house. Pray for a further seven days just as above while offering a bowl of tea each time. After this, dry them both in a shade, then put them on a Goma altar and burn holy sticks of invocation for seven days. When finished you carry them in your clothes and when you perform Mitsume (observing) and Kikitsume (listening), you hold them tightly in your hand.
Mitsume means observing thoroughly to discover something and Kikitsume means listening intensely with the aim of discovering information.
Also traditions say:
These skills are not seeing or listening casually, but watching or listening closely and carefully.
Secret traditions say:
On top of seeing or listening closely to discover something, you should go further by observing or listening in more detail, to find out the very reason behind the surface of affairs and to discover truly why a situation is like it is. You should listen or see intensely, speculating on the external facts to penetrate to the truth deep inside.
Some traditions of the shinobi have three-fold teachings, that is, they have three different levels of the art [from lower to the higher principles]. As mentioned in the document Miraiki, it is extremely important that you should not teach everything at once to a given person.
The lower tradition states:
You should start with 'light' teachings and observe the character and nature of the student thoroughly before you admit him into the higher traditions.
The middle tradition states:
You should not only see or listen to things in a superficial way but observe and listen thoroughly with special care, this is known as Mitsume and Kiktsume.
The upper and secret tradition states:
About things you see or hear – you should not take this issue lightly but try to observe or listen deeper to get the truth of things, considering the reason for why any situation is thus, this is Mitsume and Kikitsume. You should not fail to catch the truth when it surfaces, even if it is only visible for a moment, you achieve this by observing and listening, and speculating on what people are thinking beneath the surface and consider their future actions.
7
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Kumo no Tsutae
THE TRADITIONS OF THE SPIDER
Koka traditions say:
Spiders cannot function without their web, just as a shinobi no mono cannot cross over a wall or roof without rope. This set of traditions has various skills and [only] two of them are described here.
To cross over a high wall, observe the wall from the outside and throw a Ban'no tool (grappling iron) over what you consider to be a bracket of the wall. If the [Ban'no tool] has been hooked [over the bracket], tighten it by pulling down on it and climb up using the rope. When you climb up onto the roof of the wall, descend to the inside with the same rope again. This is just like a spider as it crosses over.
If you have infiltrated in an unfamiliar place or you are not sure of how to return, just leave a rope attached to a post or tree where you have just entered and go on ahead while holding onto the rope. If you do this and if it is difficult for you to return, you can find your way back by tracing the rope back to your original location. This is the same as spiders as they always go ahead with thread wherever they go.
Secret traditions say:
Whenever you infiltrate, you cannot enter without a starting point. Traditions of the Spider is about seeking a start point for your coming infiltration. When spiders build their web, they need a start and secure their thread to build their web. When you infiltrate a castle or mansion, according to the traditions, you should make a connection with someone inside and have the person let you in.
8
[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]
Ooshinobi no Daiji
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE GREATERSHINOBI
Iga traditions say:
In order to secure a successful outcome for your shinobi, you should put your men into various provinces and make acquaintances at times of peace, do this so that you can communicate anything with each other freely. Such a plan will not work well if you try to place your contacts [in enemy territory] when emergencies have already arisen. Therefore, to do this, you should [infiltrate your agents] by utilizing the way of the arts, be it; poetry, Renga verse linking, tea, the Go game or other artistic hobbies, making acquaintances in various provinces and having [the agents'] names known widely and by many. Also you should use anything that is popular at the time and will let you have contact with various provinces easily.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Iga and Koka Ninja Skills by Antony Cummins, Yoshie Minami. Copyright © 2013 Antony Cummins. Excerpted by permission of The History Press.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Title Page,Acknowledgements,
Author's Note,
Part I: The Skills of Iga and Koka,
The Oral Tradition of Iga and Koka and Additional Articles on the Use of Spies,
Second Part of the Scroll by Master Yorihide of Iga,
Shinobi Hogyo no Maki: The Shinobi Way of Divination Scroll,
Hoi no Maki: The Volume of Principles,
Ingu no Maki: The Volume Concerning In Tools,
Hinomaki: Volume of Fire,
Kakureru Tane no Maki: Hidden Elements Scroll,
Gokui Ten no Maki: The Secret Scroll of Heaven,
Part II: An Iga and Koka Commentary on Sun Tzu's 'Use of Spies',
Further Teachings from Sun Tzu,
For the Prosperity and Future of Koka Shinobi,
Appendices,
Copyright,