I have a question.
Why is it ninjutsu, and especially the authenticity of the X-kans, under so much attack (particularly from those who don't even study under it)? It seems like if you study a form of ninjutsu, someone will confront you with, "Hi, I study karate. What you're learning isn't ninjutsu. Have a nice day."
I can understand the need for ninjutsu to maintain its independence from the claims of modern upstarts and poseurs. And I can understand critisizm from within other branches or ideaologies of ninjutsu making claims or attacks to prove its own authenticity. But why from without of that particular field?
Sure, there's the whole marketing ploy of selling the loaded term "ninjutsu" to make a profit teaching a martial art. But if someone is not buying it, nor are they selling it, who made them the moral authority to debunk it?
From what I understand, ninjutsu is what it is: a phenomenon particular to the time, geographical location, political environment, etc. that it was spawned from. As such, it is not strictly a martial art, but encompasses many ideas, concepts, and metaphysical essences that aren't easy to explain, especially to one who is not familiar with the historical time it was created, nor having ever trained in it.
I'm just confused, I guess. But that's typical with all martial arts for me. The whole problem of tradition versus evolution from within, and the naysaying from without. It just reinforces my opinion that martial arts are like religion: everyone believes theirs is the best, and in the end it requires a dose of faith in many things.
Why is it ninjutsu, and especially the authenticity of the X-kans, under so much attack (particularly from those who don't even study under it)? It seems like if you study a form of ninjutsu, someone will confront you with, "Hi, I study karate. What you're learning isn't ninjutsu. Have a nice day."
I can understand the need for ninjutsu to maintain its independence from the claims of modern upstarts and poseurs. And I can understand critisizm from within other branches or ideaologies of ninjutsu making claims or attacks to prove its own authenticity. But why from without of that particular field?
Sure, there's the whole marketing ploy of selling the loaded term "ninjutsu" to make a profit teaching a martial art. But if someone is not buying it, nor are they selling it, who made them the moral authority to debunk it?
From what I understand, ninjutsu is what it is: a phenomenon particular to the time, geographical location, political environment, etc. that it was spawned from. As such, it is not strictly a martial art, but encompasses many ideas, concepts, and metaphysical essences that aren't easy to explain, especially to one who is not familiar with the historical time it was created, nor having ever trained in it.
I'm just confused, I guess. But that's typical with all martial arts for me. The whole problem of tradition versus evolution from within, and the naysaying from without. It just reinforces my opinion that martial arts are like religion: everyone believes theirs is the best, and in the end it requires a dose of faith in many things.