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The Japan Ninja Council, located in Tokyo’s Taito ward, is the only official ninja organization in the world used by local governments and tourism associations to spread the often misunderstood ancient Japanese culture of ninjas (or shinobi).
Established in Tokyo during July of 2021, the first official ninja experience facility “NINJA Information Center Tokyo” opened up adjacent to Asakusa’s Kaminarimon, where they promote understanding of the culture through provided ninja experiences and seminars.
Starting this December, the facility will also be offering more in depth lessons as part of their new endeavor – Ninja Preparatory School. These classes will be split into 7 different sessions, and are perfect for those with a curiosity for ninjutsu, those who are studying the way of the ninja at home but can’t quite make sense of some things and for those who believe they are harnessing the fighting spirit of a ninja warrior.
The classes are also recommended as supplementary refreshers for “Ninjas” who are officially recognised by the Japan Ninja Council – meaning classes may be shared with professional qualified ninjas.
The Ninja Preparatory School is guided by ninja instructors who are experts in both practical ninja skills and the theories of the ninja world.
Teaching practical skills is (4th grade) Ninja Seiryukutsu.
Seiryukutsu has been a master of various martial arts since an early age, and studied Oriental body theory (philosophical relationships between the body and self) at university.
He has taken on work in many inbound experience tours, shows and seminars, through which he has even appeared in the media both in Japan and internationally.
As a ninjutsu / martial arts researcher Seiryukutsu practices mountain training, martial arts and participates in the International Ninja Society. His expertise of the mind and body allows him to teach students at ninjutsu classes and events how to fully control their body to achieve their goals.
Behind the theoretical portion of the class is Takamaru, a member of the Japan Ninja Council who acts as editor for ninja specialised media platform Ninjack, and also disseminates ninja information and his knowledge on the subject through his YouTube channel NinTube.
As a graduate of Mie University’s Ninja and Ninjutsu studies, and having completed a thesis based on the study of ninjutsu, Takamaru is a valued member of the International Ninja Society.
Each class is scheduled to take 1 hour and 30 minutes and will follow a specific theme relating to ninjas and ninjutsu as chosen from a collection of three major ninjutsu study books. During the first 45 minutes, students will be given in depth lectures and practical guidance from the instructor on the specific theme of the class. The following 45 minutes allow students to voice their own questions about the theme of the class, to which the lecturers will explain through further lectures and practice.
The classes are limited to 10 people per group, with spaces available to reserve on the NINJA Information Center Tokyo homepage.
Below is a list of all the classes, their themes, and the dates they will take place:
Date: Thursday 23 December 2021
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Seiryukutsu / Takamaru
Contents: Opening ceremony (Explanation of Ninja Preparatory School and Overview of Ninja / Ninjutsu)
Date: Thursday 20 January 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Takamaru
Contents: Study of the ninja book Bansenshūkai – Theory lesson
Date: Thursday 27 January 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Seiryukutsu
Contents: Study of the ninja book Bansenshūkai – Practical lesson
Date: Thursday 17 February 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Takamaru
Contents: Study of the Ninja book Shinobiden – Theory lesson
Date: Thursday 27 February 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Seiryukutsu
Contents: Study of the Ninja book Shinobiden – Practical lesson
Date: Thursday 17 March 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Takamaru
Contents: Study of the Ninja book Shōninki – Theory lesson
Date: Thursday 24 March 2022
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Lecturer: Seiryukutsu
Contents: Study of the Ninja book Shōninki – Practical lesson
Admission fee: 3,500 yen per person, per session
*500 yen discount off each attendance for those who attend all 7 times, in the form of the last session being free of charge
NINJA Information Center Tokyo
Location: 6th Floor Yamano Asakusa Building, 2-17-8 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 18:00