| One of the key elements that separates the | | | | though he may say that he has '16 Body |
| Ninja's self-protection methods, including the study | | | | Weapons," the list that follows will always contain |
| of weapons like the Kubotan self-defense | | | | an element that is open-ended. In the case of |
| keychain, from many other approaches to | | | | weapons, the "combination" class contains |
| self-defense training is the concept of "strategic | | | | weapons that cross boundaries and bring together |
| thinking." And one of the ways that this important | | | | elements of two or more of the preceding |
| mindset manifests is through the ability to see | | | | classes. |
| through the "form" to what's really going on. | | | | This classification includes weapons like the spear |
| In the case of weapons training, the Ninja aspirant | | | | and halberd (staff and bladed weapons), nunchaku |
| works to see any particular weapon, not as a | | | | (although NOT a Ninja weapon, is a bringing |
| specific weapon limited to a certain form and | | | | together of the stick and flexible classes), and |
| function, but as a model for the use of any other | | | | even the secret Ninja weapon known as the |
| weapon or object of similar shape and size. An | | | | Kyoketsu-shoge (a double-bladed knife connected |
| example of this might be to see a knife, not just | | | | to a metal ring by a 12 - 18 foot section of rope |
| as a knife, but as a sword with an extremely | | | | - combining elements of the bladed, flexibles and |
| short blade. Or to "see" a cane or short-stick | | | | projectile classes. |
| weapon as a sword without an edge. This | | | | Since this article focuses on the self-defense |
| alternate "sight" allows the Ninja warrior to expand | | | | keychain weapon, we'll stay within the "stick" |
| his or her knowledge and options and employ the | | | | classification. In a recent seminar that I taught, |
| weapon in ways that confuse and surprise their | | | | focusing on the use of the Kubotan self-defense |
| attacker. It also vastly expands the number of | | | | keychain, students were able to see, first-hand, |
| techniques and options at the Ninja's disposal. | | | | how this strategy works in the real world. After |
| Instead of making a list of all of the weapons that | | | | learning some basic techniques with the actual |
| might be contained within a certain "style" of | | | | Kubotan weapon, my students were shown a |
| training, the Ninja instead employs a system by | | | | variety of every day items that could be used as |
| which all weapons are placed into 5 basic | | | | substitutes for the actual, "official" weapon. |
| classifications. These classifications are: | | | | Students found that such common, easy-to-find |
| 1. Bladed - Including swords, knives, and even | | | | items, like: |
| broken bottles. Anything that "cuts." | | | | 1. Rulers... |
| 2. Stick - Including staffs, staves, canes, shorter | | | | 2. Pens... |
| sticks, and even items like rolled up magazines | | | | 3. Markers... |
| and umbrellas. Any item the "clubs." | | | | 4. Lipstick cases... |
| 3. Flexible - This class of weapons includes such | | | | 5. Small flashlights |
| weapons as chains, ropes, and everyday items | | | | ...and even parts of other weapons like a... |
| like belts and even open newspapers. The idea | | | | 5. Knife pommel... |
| here is anything that can be manipulated to whip, | | | | 6. Handgun grip, and... |
| tie, and bind an opponent. | | | | 7. Weight of a kusari-fundo 'chain-weapon' |
| 4. Projectile - Weapons that, in whole or in part, | | | | Could all be brought into service in many of the |
| fly and allow the Ninja defender to extend his or | | | | same ways as the little weapon they were |
| her ability to reach the assailant across larger | | | | learning to use. |
| distances. Traditional weapon in this catagory | | | | It is this concept of seeing the |
| include the bow and arrow, spears and javelins, | | | | "universality-of-technique" and application that |
| shuriken ("throwing stars") and blowgun darts. | | | | gives the Ninja practitioner seemingly magical |
| Modern equivalants to these are the gun, certain | | | | abilities, not just when using a weapon like the |
| throwing knives and blades, and even items like | | | | Kubotan, but in all areas, that makes them |
| drink coasters, ashtrays and tea saucers, and | | | | stand-apart from the conventional tactics, |
| coins. | | | | techniques, and strategies being used by most |
| And... | | | | fighters, martial artists, and self-defense students. |
| 5. Combination - The greatest thing about the | | | | The key to success, in any field, is not limited by |
| Ninja mindset is that there is NO such thing as a | | | | what you know or have But, in how you apply it |
| finite or limted list. That means that a Ninja, | | | | that makes the difference. |