A 63-year-old engineer is Japan's 'last ninja'

AFP via Yahoo ^ | Aug 19, 2012 | Miwa Suzuki

[nerdwithagun]

A 63-year-old former engineer may not fit the typical image of a dark-clad assassin with deadly weapons who can disappear into a cloud of smoke. But Jinichi Kawakami is reputedly Japan's last ninja.

As the 21st head of the Ban clan, a line of ninjas that can trace its history back some 500 years, Kawakami is considered by some to be the last living guardian of Japan's secret spies.

[Jack Hammer]

Personally, I would submit that the ninja tradition - in a more contemporary and thus effective garb - is being continued in a very real sense by the United States Navy’s SEALs.

[PapaBear3625]

Personally, I would submit that the ninja tradition - in a more contemporary and thus effective garb - is being continued in a very real sense by the United States Navy’s SEALs.

If you want real Japanese ninjas, just go to the Tokushu Sakusen Gun, Japan's version of Delta Force.

If anybody at all is versed in whatever techniques of the old Ninjas survive to present times, these guys would be.

[nerdwithagun]

I'm going to have to disagree with that. Nothing against the SEALs, but to my knowledge, their training is more “smash and grab”. Ninjas were more like a combo of the Greene Beret and the CIA. They were far more involved with espionage and embroiled with dealing with locals and politics.

Anyway, an American with a little bit of training with one of these http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-nextgen.htm would destroy any Ninja, Samurai, or any other Eastern warrior and only may find a decent opponent with European Medieval and Renaissance Knights. I didn't think I would end up going “there” but the silly turn this thread has taken I don't think I am trolling too hard.

[nerdwithagun]

Better yet, thanks for posting that.

[Jack Hammer]

The point I was making is that ninjutsu is out of date and would be utterly ineffective in a modern setting. I stand by that assertion. Ninjutsu is of interest to antiquarians only.

[Jack Hammer]

Looks like THOSE guys will be handy when the time comes to take on North Korea.

[nerdwithagun]

A lot of the spy work and reconnaissance was the exact same as today and they probably didn't do the crazy shit that a lot of stories and so called martial artists said they did. We're talking bribing local peasants for info, scouting, poisoning, stabbing, etc.

That being said, yeah, ninjas would get shot to death. As would just about any military group trying to do their stuff in the modern world. I can't believe this even has to be said. I blame weeabuus. I think I have to private message you for the rest. Don't worry, I think we're on the same page here and I'm expanding on what you said.

[skinkinthegrass]

her ya go, grasshopper! :-)
the official Japanese Government recognized soke:

Bujinkan Dojo
34th Soke Masaaki Hatsumi
http://www.bujinkan.com/
more than 5000+ adherents strong in the U.S.A.

[skinkinthegrass]

ninjutsu is out of date and would be
utterly ineffective in a modern settingright....
/strong sarcasm..the mind / body is a weapon
(armed or unarmed)..

[nerdwithagun]

The Japanese government could still have been suckered and I am unconvinced his system works either way. I still think the best native martial art is Judo. Kano beat other schools and beat them handily.

[Impy]

I was watching something about martial arts the other day and there was this 30ish white dude claiming to have studied “ninjitsu” his whole life.

This old Japanese guy looks like he could kick his ass.

[GreenLanternCorps]

He is not the last, there are four others...

[skinkinthegrass]

The Japanese government could still have been suckered and I am unconvinced his system works either way.true...my previous post, mentioned the only ..
person/system w/ a reliable history..lineage.
imho...the others "maybe less than reliable".

[skinkinthegrass]

He is not the last, there are four others...
Five...I am the (Original :) Ninja Turtle!

[NFHale]

Clearly, the authors of the article don’t know of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi of the Togakure Ryu.

He is the 34th Grandmaster in a long, long line of Bujinkan Ninjutsu.

I guarantee the “last ninja” engineer does, though.

Dr. Hatsumi trained Shidoshi Stephen Hayes, who brought it over here.

[skinkinthegrass]

Yhea. :-)

[GOPsterinMA]

Is the old Japanese guy’s name FAUSTO CARMONA?

Sorry...the smack is kicking in...

[nerdwithagun]

I’ve been wanting to know in other posts, has he come forward with any proof of that claim? He has some kind of government recognized status, but sometimes even government officials and knowledgeable people screw up. Frank Dux (yes, ‘Dux’ is a 4 letter word) had a lot of people fooled. I’m involved in the European Renaissance side of things and there are quacks on our side who say they are the sole descendant of a line of masters who kept the art alive secretly. Some make claims of having old manuscripts but never give them over for academic scrutiny and I think that is required of all such people who make those claims.

I still rather take Judo then even real Ninjitsu. I tease I tease.