In Ninpo Taijutsu, there are many factors that need to be understood before victory is possible. Moving correctly, balance, mastery of timing, proper speed and power, and good technique built on years of experience are some of these. However, there is one aspect that is so important that Grandmaster Hatsumi has named the art after it. In several places, including at the beginning of most of his training videos, he calls our art the "Martial Arts of Distance."

What I believe he is saying by that is that the understanding of distance is the most important thing. Through several stories and parables he relates how mastery of distance, keeping out of your opponent's reach, yet coming in to counter-attack, has been responsible for many victories.

Most of the problems student's experience with unsuccessful techniques is due to poor distancing; usually being too close (especially with weapons!). You can't say that it's your partner's fault: if someone is attacking you, you have to be the one to control the distance. Of course your attacker wants to get in close. That's what attacking is all about. Don't allow your attacker to "creep up" on you. If you can't make a waza work well, then take one step back and see if that makes a difference.

Here is what Itto Ittosai, a famous Japanese swordsman who lived hundreds of years ago, said about distance:

Inken No Koto: In real combat, the opponent wants to get close enough to win. This is the case for both fighters. Even if the distance is equal, but one side can attack easily while the other cannot, the true distance is not equal. This is the situation one must study and learn to create. The most important point is to keep the body straight and use footwork to adjust one's distance. One should learn how to make the opponent feel like he is always far away, and thus cannot attack. One must keep flexible in the approach to be able to do this. The decision of life or death hinges on very small points.

So in the future, re-examine how you use distance with your training partners. It makes all the difference.

Shidoshi Ken Harding, 6th Dan, heads the Missouri Ninja Center in St. Louis. He started his training in 1984, has trained with Hatsumi Soke in Japan, and studies Japanese, Yoga, shiatsu, herbology and nutrition. He may be contacted via E-mail: Shadowswrd@aol.com.