忍術秘訣文 Ninjutsu Hiketsu Bun
The essay on the essence of Ninjutsu
The essence of all Martial Arts and military strategies is self protection and the prevention of danger. Ninjutsu epitomizes the fullest concept of self-protection through martial training in that the ninja art deals with the protection of not only the physical body, but the mind and spirit as well. The way of the ninja is the way of enduring, surviving, and prevailing over all that would destroy one. More than merely delivering strikes and slashes, and deeper in significance than the simple outwitting of an enemy; Ninjutsu is the way off attaining that which we need while making the world a better place.
The skill of the ninja is the art of winning. In the beginning study of any combative art, proper motivation is crucial. Without the proper frame of mind, continuos exposure to fighting techniques can lead to ruin instead of self-development. But this fact is not different from any other beneficial practice in life carried to extremes.
Medical science is dedicated to the betterment of health and the relief of suffering, and yet the misuse of drugs and the exultation of the physician's skills can lead people to a state where an individual's health is no longer within his or her personal control. A nutritious well-balanced diet works to keep a person alive, vital, and healthy, but grossly over-eating, over-drinking, or taking in too many chemicals is a sure way to poison the body.
Governments are established to oversee the harmonious inter-working of all parts of society, but when the rulers become greedy, hungry for power, or lacking in wisdom, the country is subjected to needless wars, disorder or civil and economic chaos.
A religion, when based on faith developed through experience, a broad and questing mind, and unflagging pursuit of universal understanding, is of inspiration and comfort to people. Once a religion loses its original focus, however, it becomes a deadly thing with which to deceive, control and tax the people through the manipulation of their beliefs and fears.
It is the same with the martial arts. The skills of self-protection, which should provide a feeling of inner peace and security for the martial artist, so often develop without a balance in the personality and lead the lesser martial artist into warped realms of unceasing conflict and competition which eventually consume him.
If an expert in the fighting arts sincerely pursues the essence of ninjutsu, devoid of the influence of the ego's desires, the student will progressively come to realize the ultimate secret for becoming invincible - the attainment of the "mind and eyes of god". The combatant who would win must be in harmony with the scheme of totality, and must be guided by an intuitive knowledge of the playing out of fate.
In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.
The vast universe, beautiful in its coldly impersonal totality, contains all that we call good or bad, all the answers for all the paradoxes we see around us.
By opening his eyes and his mind, the ninja can responsively follow the subtle seasons and reasons of heaven, changing just as change is necessary, adapting always, so that in the end there is no such thing as a surprise for the ninja.
by Takamatsu Toshitsugu
33rd Soke in Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu
忍術秘訣文
武道兵法は身を衛るもの也。然れども護身の骨子は忍術に有り。
忍術は精神をも衛る故也。
即ち武道に於て精神正しからずば身を殺すことあり。
例えば、医術は人を救う術と云えども是によりて人を殺すことあり。飲食は生を養うもの也。されど過食して身を破る事あり。国の政治家は国を治め民を保護すべき責任者なれども欲深く、智不足者、及び我命を惜しむ者は国を乱し民を苦しましむる者也。宗教も誠実なれば正しさが現れ、身を護り、家を興し、社会に益を成すが、邪道なる時は身を滅ぼし国家を危うくする道理也。
故に武道の達人にして忍術を修行すれば肝心要を得べし。肝心要とは神心神眼と知るべし。
即ち、天道を知ると解すべし。天の誠という事は少しの邪気なく正しきもの也。
人に有りて信と云う。天に有りて人に有る理は是一つ也。木火土金水も土あらざれば生ぜず。春夏秋冬も土用によりて行われる。 四季に土用無く、五行に土無きは、天に誠無きが如し。
人にして誠に正しく誠実なる時は天道に叶う。是神心神眼也。故に忍者は認識ある正義の人でなくてはならぬ。我は忍術を、認術とも云う。そして、忍者は常時莞爾として万変不驚也。 是戸隠流武風也。
高松寿嗣
