target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_ebd7a064-97ff-59ed-9015-ed3be689a4c1.jpg" alt=""/> Ground beneath the feet of battlers was either earth, grass, or in a few cases tatami rice straw matting.
All these factors influenced the development of the ninja and samurai martial art of taijutsu 体術, literally translated as “the art or science of using the body in combat.” In this classic Japanese fighting form, fighters strategically stayed far apart until the moment of clash, flexed their knees deeply to lower the seat close to the slippery or dusty ground, and often began attacks with long lunging footwork characteristic of Japanese sword cutting, where a right leg would step and propel a same-side right hand shove, grab, or stab.
Contrarily, in modern physical altercations, different factors come into play:
In contemporary fighting, an aggressor often uses extremely offensive language to intimidate or shock and then moves inside his intended victim’s safety range before throwing hits or grabs. Fighters tend to hold their shoulders higher in variations of sport boxer postures with speed hand forward and power hand in back, and they move on quickly shuffling feet. Hands dart or swing in with rapid flurries of punches, slaps, grabs, and stabs rather than singular focused blows.
Bearing in mind so many differences in ancient Japanese and modern Western fight challenges, it seems obvious we need an updated method of ninja protector combat for today. It would not be the best route to rely on the details of an antique Japanese training system to solve modern American or European problems. On the other hand, the principles that made the Japanese fighting arts so effective are still valid, and I vowed to refurbished them to serve our new age.
It would be presumptuous of me to use an established historical name like ninjutsu to describe what I am offering as contemporary personal protection. For that reason I needed a term to differentiate between the classical ninja martial arts I was licensed by the grandmaster to teach and the modern adaptations I had developed. To label my modern derivation of the ancient ninjutsu principles, I created the new name To-Shin Do.
Even though new, the name is based on the structure of the old name. I separated the single letter character for nin 忍 of ninja and their secret art of ninjutsu into its two composite parts (with one small tweak). To 刀 for “sword” implies the technology we study. Shin 心 for “heart” reflects the cultivation of intelligence and intention. Do 道 translates as “road” or pathway to mastery.
It is important to remember that this is not something I just made up or pulled together from speculation. The martial art of To-Shin Do was born of the historical legacy behind three important roots of the ancient cultural heritage of Japan:
TO - Sword
From the ninja combat methods of the legendary phantom warriors born of Mt. Togakure and cultivated in the wooded mountains and marshes of Iga comes the core of our physical protection principles and strategies. To-Shin Do martial arts practice is a great way to reduce stress and increase strength, endurance, and flexibility, while fostering a sense of peace, security, and control in life.
SHIN - Spirit of intention
From the kuji-kiri intention-channeling training of the shugenja mountain spirit seekers of Mt. Yoshino comes the essence of our program for the discovery and development of the key qualities that characterize a fully actualized human being. We can achieve a more focused and disciplined understanding of the cause and effect dynamics that lead to success and fulfillment in life.
DO - Path to mastery
From the originally Himalayan esoteric vajrayana mikkyo mind and spirit sciences of Mt. Hiei comes the technique of cultivating into powers our mental, emotional, and spiritual potentials. We can learn skillful ways to transform the inner and outer challenges of life into success, and ultimately come to grips with the question of how to experience directly the significance of life itself.
From deep roots in the principles of classic Japanese ninja martial arts, To-Shin Do training is a thorough system of personal preparation for facing the kinds of conflict and opposition that can surprise us in the course of daily living. Our training program leads to the ability to live life fully, fearlessly, and freely.
The lessons in our training method are based on ancient well-tested warrior disciplines handed down through historical martial traditions I studied with the ninja grandmaster in Japan, along with the spiritual and ethical lessons I learned traveling with the Dalai Lama of Tibet. At the same time, To-Shin Do training is built around a very modern approach to handling successfully the kind of threats and confrontations most likely in our own contemporary culture, and for seeking answers to to the deepest questions of life.
To-Shin Do is a realistic martial arts training system that includes instruction in techniques and strategies for dealing with:
Beyond the basic training that leads to Black Belt in To-Shin Do is a collection of optional advanced
