Genbukan Suirin Dojo Uk
Call
07912 690157
Ninja
忍者
Ninja (shinobi in Japanese) was a term for a covert agent in feudal Japan; they were masters of stealth, disguise, espionage, deception and surprise attacks. Their methods of waging unconventional warfare were deemed dishonorable by the Samurai (perversely it was the samurai and their Daimyo that hired the services of the Ninja).
Whereas the Samurai followed the virtues of Bushido, Ninja cultivate the spirit of Ninniku; a compassionate heart, one that doesn't harbor grudges when humiliated or denounced.
"Through these martial arts, a ninja hears what is silent, sees what is invisible and endures what is excruciating" - Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura
Kunoichi (Female Ninja)
くノ一
Female ninja were called Kunoichi. In Japanese Kunoichi means nine plus one.
One role was to infiltrate the enemy residence and become maids. As maids they were able to gather intelligence and secrets with ease.
Samurai
The samurai were members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan. Rising to power in the 11th Century, they were revered for their skills as warriors. These elite warriors were in service to their daimyo.
In 1588 only full samurai were permitted to wear two swords and so this become an important status symbol. The longer curved katana and the shorter wakizashi, worn together were called Daisho.
Samurai roughly translates to "those who serve"
Bushi is another more general word for warrior from which Bushido is derived.
Samurai
侍
The samurai were members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan. Rising to power in the 11th Century, they were revered for their skills as warriors.
In 1588 only full samurai were permitted to wear two swords and so this became an important status symbol. The longer curved katana and the shorter wakizashi, worn together were called Daisho.
Samurai roughly translates to "those who serve"
These elite warriors were in service to their daimyo.
Bushi is another more general word for warrior from which Bushido is derived.
Weapons of the ninja
Shuriken
手裏剣
Ninjatō
忍者刀
Tanto
短刀
Shuko
手鉤
Nekode
猫手
Kusarigama
鎖鎌
Samurai Women
女武芸者
Maintaining the household was the main duty of women of the samurai class. The wife was to manage all household affairs, care for the children and defend the home if need be.
Many women of the samurai class were trained in tantojutsu and wielding the naginata which they could use to protect their household, their family and their honor.
Some women did actively engage in battles alongside male samurai. These female warriors (Onna-bugeisha) fought mostly in times of need. A couple famous onna-bugeisha are:
Tomoe Gozen
Nakano Takeko
Weapons of the Samurai
Katana
刀
Wakizashi
脇差
Daishō
大小
Tanto
短刀
Nodachi
野太刀
Yari
槍
Naginata
薙刀
Yumi
弓
Tessen
鉄扇
Tanegashima
種子島