In 1182, during the Japanese Gempi war, Minamoto Yoshinaka, a general from the mountainous Nagano region of Japan, captured the capital city of Kyoto. After this victory, he found himself under attack by his cousin Yoshitsune. When Yoshitsune's troops successfully crossed the Uji river, a key strategic defense for the capital, Yoshinaka withdrew, only to be killed as his horse fell through the ice of a frozen rice paddy.

After Yoshinaka's defeat, one of his samurai retainers, Daisuke Nishina of Togakure Village escaped to the mountains of Iga in south central Japan. The mountains provided an easy place to hide from the enemy troops, who still searched for Yoshinaka's forces, and provided a familiar environment for Daisuke and his followers to continue their Yamabushi (mountain warrior) training. Daisuke Nishina, who subsequently changed his name to Daisuke Togakure, became known as the first Soke (family head) of the Togakure ryu of ninjutsu.

Ironically, Yoshitsune was later overthrown by his brother Yoritomo. After escaping capture by Yoritomo's forces, he founded the Yoshitsune ryu of ninjutsu. The Yoshitsune ryu later died out, along with many other famous ninjutsu ryu.

The ninja families of Iga grew to become a great part of Japan's military history. Lending their support to Tokugawa Ieyasa, they were able to aid in the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate and were recruited to many government posts, including police, bodyguards, and intelligence agents.

The methods of the Togakure ryu are still practiced under the direction of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, the 34th in a continuous chain of Soke. No longer being hunted by government troops, modern students of ninjutsu practice their art in training halls all over the world. Ninjutsu is practiced by many police, security personnel, government agents and anyone with a need for an extremely effective and versatile form of self-protection.

Ninjutsu training emphasizes practical protection methods including both unarmed and weapons training. Easy to use concepts and strategies are taught in a series of scenario type exercises where the students practice responses to many types of attacks. The variety of techniques makes it easy for students to adapt the system to fit their individual needs, regardless of strength, age or ability.

Shidoshi Jean-Pierre Seibel is the head instructor of New York Budo, a Manhattan-based martial arts school teaching the techniques of the Togakure Ryu Ninja. He may be contacted at (212) 725-7388 or through the editor via E-mail: Ashidome@aol.com.