Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
DIM-MAK
The famed DEATH TOUCH. Is this truth or legend ? The Chinese say that if a certain part of the body is even lightly touched at the correct time of the day then injury or even death will occur within a set time limit. I have seen enough evidence to believe this to be true but until you see it with your own eyes it seems to be the stuff of legends.
What is certain is that the points shown below can all be used at any time of the day to control an opponent with ease.
Within Ninjutsu the teaching of these pressure points is seen as basic training. To control someone with a touch is better than to have a stand up fight.
Bringing together all the elements of the Ninjutsu & Samuraijutsu Takamatsu-den Traditions
KYUSHO - Vital parts of the body
KYUSHO are the vital points of the body. The areas that are susceptable to the application of force or pressure. The result will bring pain, unconsciousness or death. There are far too many Kyusho points to name here, but the following diagrams give the locations of the major points. The ringed numbers are the most vulnerable and most commonly used. These pressure points are used both for creating and relieving pain and injuries. Experimentation must be used to find these points and to discover which weapons work best on them (for example one or two fingers dug into Murasame gives the best effect on this point, happa ken works best on the ears, etc).
The Kyusho (weak and lethal points) of the martial arts have to be understood as being separate from other points you may have learned in massage. They are different from the Tsubo (healing points) used in Acupressure and Shiatsu. The effectiveness of the points will differ from person to person and some people will feel absolutely no pain at all so care must be taken. The only way you can learn about the effect of these points is to have the technique done on you so you have personal experience of it.
Study these diagrams and experiment with the points shown. In Ninjutsu, unlike some other arts, we do not restrict ourselves to a small number of vital points - so that we can best control the opponent's body as required.
Ninja Sorcery .. Magic
KUJI IN & KUJI KIRI
What I am presenting here is by no means a complete account of the Nine Finger Cuts that gave the Ninja mystical powers, but it will serve the would be Maho Tsukai (sorceror) as a very useful and provocative primer.
The exact origins of the nine cuts are unknown, but it is believed that they were first introduced to Japan by the Tantric Buddhist Schools of Shingon and Tendai Mikkyo.
It is a common misconception that the techniques of Kuji were the sole domain of the Ninja. This is not true, as even a cursory exploration of the Koryu (traditional feudal arts of the Samurai) will reveal. For instance, the Yagy Shinkage Ryu and the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu both made use of the Kuji In and Kuji Kiri.
Though the techniques of Kuji In and Kuji Kiri are closely tied to one another, they in all actuality serve two very distinct functions. The Kuji In hand positions are used to invoke nine levels of mystic power. They are a method of focusing the mind and activating these powers, each in turn. The Kuji Kiri, however, is a form of practical sorcery, the method of which we will discuss shortly.
When utilizing the Kuji In, you may find the outward technique less important than your inward understanding of the concepts symbolized by each of the "cuts". In the beginning, rely more on what you feel internally, and less on written interpretation.
The Legendary Kuji-In
Kuji-in is the spiritual and mental strength the ninja possessed in the form of hand signs. These hand signs were believed to be able to channel energy. The hand signs were taken from the practices of the early Buddhists.
The Kuji-in was used to build confidence and strength in the ninja. It was also believed to enhance the senses of danger and foresee death for the ninja.
In Kuji-in the thumb represents the source of power (Ku), and the fingers represent the four elemental manifestations. They are Chi (earth - solids), Sui (water - liquids), Ka (fire - combustion) and Fu (wind - gases).
There are 81 hand symbols, total, but there are 9 primary ones: Rin, Kyo, Toh, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, and Zen. Each symbol invokes different strengths and abilities in a trained ninja. Rin brings strength to the mind and body; Hei generates psychic power in order to mask one's presence; Toh enables the ninja to reach a balance between the solid and liquid states of the body, which leads to a greater harmony with the universe; Sha is used to heal oneself or another; Kai gives complete control over the body's functions, enabling one to slow the heart rate, endure extreme heat and cold, etc. Jin increases the mind's telepathic powers, giving a highly trained Ninja the ability to read the character of another; Retsu gives telekinetic powers, enabling a ninja to stun an opponent with a shout or touch. Zai extends the harmony gained by merging with the universe. Zen brings enlightenment and understanding. These symbols take an entire lifetime to truly master.
The nine finger "cuts" that give the Ninja their power.
Although believed to be a Ninja secret the Kuji~In was also used by the Samurai. Where it came from no one is sure but it does have similarities to Hindu and Tibetan Mundras. The Kuji~In is more a way of concentrating the mind than weaving magic with ones hands despite many Sensei and Movie companies attempts to prove otherwise.
Below you will find a series of pictures showing the hand and finger positions for the "popularised" version of the Ninja Kuji~In. There are several different versions of these finger symbols that are used by the Ninja and Samurai. I have chosen only to show the basic form as I believe the secret forms should only be passed on to ones highest ranked students.
It should be stressed that it is more important to get the mind correct than it is to have the exact finger positions.
Each cut represents one of the Nine levels of power. I leave it to the student to decide what is meant by "power" but it has been proven to me time and time again that as a student progresses so does his level of thinking. I will hint at this during the description of each cut.
The Nine Levels Are :-
RIN - STRENGTH of mind and body
KYO - DIRECTION OF ENERGY
TOH - HARMONY with the universe
SHA - HEALING of self and others
KAI - PREMONITION of danger
JIN - KNOWING THE THOUGHTS OF OTHERS
RETSU - MASTERY OF TIME AND SPACE
ZAI - CONTROL of the elements of nature
ZEN - ENLIGHTENMENT
When you practice the cuts you may wish to concentrate on one at a time or you may feel able to string all nine together. It is suggested that once you are comfortable with the finger positions that you take each cut one at a time and contemplate the meaning of that particular cut.
The meaning will be different for each student. For instance the meaning of RIN for one student may mean being very strong and capable of executive decisions while for another it may be as simple as being physically well and having a positive attitude.
As usual, I leave it to the reader to decide which is the better explanation
Kuji Kiri .. Ninja Magic
The Kuji~Kiri is very closely linked with the Kuji~In and in fact most people confuse the two. Both are said to have been introduced into Japan with Buddhism.
In the Kuji~In the fingers are used to invoke the nine levels of power used by the Ninja and Samurai. In the Kuji~Kiri a grid of nine lines are drawn to invoke these powers and all nine are used at the same time The Kuji~Kiri could almost be described as pratical magic and it is a way of casting spells.
One use of the Kuji~Kiri dates back to ancient times when Sailors would draw the Kanji of water on a piece of paper and then overlay this with the nine line grid. This was said to protect them, as even if the boat sank, the sailor himself would survive.
The animated picture on the left shows how the grid is drawn on the Kanji. First start with a horizontal line, then draw a vertical line then another horizontal etc etc. It is important to do this in the correct order for the spell to work. The picture on the right shows the name of each line as represented in the Kuji~In Another way to invoke this kind of spell was to draw the Kanji and the grid on the palm of the left hand using the index finger of the right hand.
The original teachings of Ninjutsu were developed through an experiential knowledge of combat methods, human psychology and cultural patterns, and the workings of natural phenomena and a personal closeness with nature. From these broad considerations, the feudal Japanese science of survival under any circumstances eventually took its shape. The art came to be known as a countercultural opposite to the conventional concepts of warfare and territorial expansion that were routine during the feudal ages in ancient Japan. Sun Tzu's The Art of War was the basis of Ninjutsu philosophy in many ways.
One important purpose in the study of Ninjutsu is to cultivate an awareness of ki-ai, or allowing yourself to come into harmony with the "scheme of totality." The student of Ninjutsu should become a totally natural being. There is nothing bizarre, unreal, or imaginary implied in the mystical teachings of Ninjutsu. Mysticism is simply the study of methods used to directly experience natural laws and universal consciousness. By observing nature with an unbiased mind, people come to understand their world and how they relate to it; thus they come to understand themselves.
The Tibetan Tantric lore teaches the doctrine of mikkyo, or "secret knowledge." The concept is that all physical aspects of existence originate from the same source and are in essence one of five elements. The five elements are:
Ku: The emptiness or nothingness from which all things assume their forms
Fu: The Wind (or gaseous elements)
Ka: The Fire (or energy releasing)
Sui: The Water (or fluids)
Chi: The Earth (or solids)
By studying the relationships of these elements in nature, the Ninja learns how to become a more natural and balanced being, more conscious of personal power and responsibilities in the stream of life. To the Ninja, these elements also represent human life.
In the human body, sui represents the body fluids and those aspects of the body that provide suppleness and flexibility. Chi equals the bones, teeth, muscles, and other solid body tissues. Ka is seen as metabolism and is experienced as body warmth. Fu corresponds to the breathing cycle--the movement of air into and out of the body and then out and into the breathing cycles of others. Ku manifests itself as speech and the ability to communicate.
The five elements around us are also paralleled in the stages of elevation of the personality. We all move up and down from one element of influence to another. Westerners refer to the effects of our changing consciousness as "moods."
Chi, the earth level, is the most base of the elements. While in a state of chi we are conscious of our own solidity and stability. We resist change or movement--like a rock. Chi is centered at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red.
Sui, or water is the next highest level of our physical personality. Under its influence we are conscious of our own emotions and the fluid parts of the body. Sui is characterized by reactions to physical changes and adaptability to our surroundings. Like plants we are capable of independent movement and growth. We react to stimuli, and yet we are incapable of controlling our environment. When our personalities are under the influence of the water element, we react to what we encounter, and we are oriented toward the heavier emotions. Sui is centered in the lower abdomen and is associated with the color orange.
Ka, fire is the third highest element. When under its influence we are aggressive. (Aggression in this sense refers to energy, and is not intended to carry negative or violent connotations.) We experience feelings of warmth, enjoyment, and direct control over our environment, as wild animals do. We are aware of our reasoning faculties. Ka is centered at the lower tip of the breast bone and is associated with the color yellow.
Fu, wind is the fourth level. Under its influence we are aware of our own intellect, magnanimity, and feelings of wisdom and love. Human beings are the highest example of the wind principle; we are capable of contemplation, understanding, and love. Fu is centered in the middle of the chest and is associated with the color green.
Ku is the highest of the physical elements. In the personality, the ku emptiness brings about creative abilities, and the capability to direct any of the four lower elements. Ku, the source of all elements, is centered in the throat, and is associated with the color blue.
I should stress that no one element of influence is inherently better or worse than another. In fact, one of the greater reasons for studying the effects of the influence centers is to realize the impossibility of assigning arbitrary value judgments to our emotions and experiences. Every emotion in the wide range of moods available to the human being can be seen as more or less appropriate in some given situations. This is in contrast to the stress-causing Western notion that there are appropriate and inappropriate norms governing emotions and reactions.
There are, however, those times when a particular emotion may be regarded as negative or positive based on its effectiveness in a particular situation. Appropriateness in the situation is not only determined by one's mood (element of influence), but also by the behavior used to express the mood.
In Ninjutsu, fighting is utilizing the five elements in harmoniously dealing with danger. To reach this level of ku requires much training and discipline.
Here and Now
The immensely popular Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and twelve step groups, believe that one reason people become hopelessly obsessive-compulsive is that they worry too much about the future. They "project," or place unwarranted expectations on the days ahead. In doing so, they live in constant fear, rendering them unable to deal with the here and now. In AA, recovering alcoholics practice living "one day at a time." Recovering addicts in NA live "just for today."
This same idea is found in famous Western literature as far back as the 16th Century. Shakespeare's and others' works resonate with the idea of "Carpă»Diem," or seize the day. Live in the Now. Life cannot be enjoyed to the fullest if you project into the future or dwell on the past.
To master martial arts physical techniques, one must learn to clear his or her mind of clutter and unnecessary noise. Total concentration on the task at hand is required. This approach is the most conducive to tranquility, harmony and a lack of stress caused by our Western rush-to-get-ahead lifestyles.
Martial arts is a way to achieve harmony through introspection and discipline. The physical and psychological benefits are immeasurable. We'll explore them in the next chapter
Back To Home Page
