Most often we see the translation of "Nin" as endurance, keeping on, winning at all costs, etc. We also often see the translation of "Ninpo" as "the use of Ninjutsu as a life-way" or "the universal life principles of Ninjutsu." No matter how these words are translated, it can be difficult to grasp their meaning. Recently, I was told of a situation that accurately describes that true meaning of Ninpo.

The local university recently sponsored a seminar by Mrs. Debbie Gardner, who is an ex-Cincinnati Police officer. Her husband teaches at the Cincinnati Police Academy. The seminar focus was women's self-defense. My wife and her best friend, both black belts in the Bujinkan Dojo, attended.

One of the points made by Mrs. Gardner was the importance of always defending yourself. Obviously, a mother will fight to the end to save her children if they are threatened. But what if the mother is alone when she is threatened? It is still important to fight to the very end, Mrs. Gardner said. It makes no difference if your children are nearby. They will still feel the pain and suffer the loss if you were to die. To further illustrate her point, Mrs. Gardner relayed the following true story.

A man and his family, from the Cincinnati area, were at home for the evening. An EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person) started to hammer at their front door, attempting to gain access. The man, in an effort to protect his family, went to the door to try to stop the EDP. Meanwhile his wife ran to the phone to call for help. Once at the front door, which had now broken open, the man was attacked by the EDP who had a camping hatchet. The man was cut by the swinging hatchet seven times around the head and shoulders by the EDP before the man could wrestle the hatchet away. Then man laid in his doorway, bleeding, in front of his family, while the EDP made his escape. The EDP was caught later.

When asked by Mrs. Gardner "why did you survive?" The man responded, "I am very happy that I got cut. As each chop came, I thanked God that it was hitting me, not one of my children." The man claimed that in his desire to protect his family, he felt no pain from the wounds until two days later. He survived the attack and is now back with his family. This is a true example of Ninpo, one which we should all take to heart.

Michael Fazekas is a 4th Dan and a Shidoshi-ho training at the Bujinkan Akahige Dojo near Cincinnati, Ohio. He began his training in Ninpo in 1982 under Stephen Hayes. He also holds a 3rd Dan in the Korean martial art of Hapkido. He can be reached at MFazekas@aol.com.