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