Is there a belt system in Ninjutsu

[complete]

I can't believe you guys revived this old thread. It was an interesting time back then.

[BlackDragon]

It was very amusingly addictive complete...once I got into the arguments, I couldn't stop myself

[cjgrappler]

I was told an old story of the first belt system was actually you started out a white belt and after years and years of sweat, dirt, blood, etc it turned colors to brown then black. Not sure how true it is, but it makes sense... cause people wasn't into to the business of ranks and all.

When I started, there were 4 colors : White, Green, Brown & Black... each getting stripes for each kyu. Then after a year or 2, they changed to all different colors for each kyu.

[delaan]

Today "ninjutsu" is mostly used as a term to gather a special branch of martial arts; the ancient combat style used by the samurai and ninja, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Just like most other martial arts, it has developed into several branches, were different Dojos practice somewhat differently, and thus have different belt systems.

Sadly there are people who want to start a "ninja school", and call it Ninjutsu, where they just sneak around, play with some judo moves and toss ninja stars.

However, the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu have the system:

10th Kyu = no grade/white
9th-1st Kyu = Green (some use red for women)
1st-15th Dan = black

With some markings as you progress trough your green and black belt.
This is at least how we practice the ranks where I train (Norway).
This is also backed up by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan#Ranks.

Then there are of course the deviant schools who add several colors to give a more visible progress trough the training. (This mostly to encourage people to want to progress)

Not 110% sure about this, but I think it should be right

[complete]

Originally Posted by delaan

Today "ninjutsu" is mostly used as a term to gather a special branch of martial arts; the ancient combat style used by the samurai and ninja, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Just like most other martial arts, it has developed into several branches, were different Dojos practice somewhat differently, and thus have different belt systems.

Sadly there are people who want to start a "ninja school", and call it Ninjutsu, where they just sneak around, play with some judo moves and toss ninja stars.

However, the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu have the system:

10th Kyu = no grade/white
9th-1st Kyu = Green (some use red for women)
1st-15th Dan = black

With some markings as you progress trough your green and black belt.
This is at least how we practice the ranks where I train (Norway).
This is also backed up by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan#Ranks.

Then there are of course the deviant schools who add several colors to give a more visible progress trough the training. (This mostly to encourage people to want to progress)

Not 110% sure about this, but I think it should be right

Thanks for the post. Finally, some good informative post comes out of such an interesting thread. Hope you didn't have to read through all the negative to get to this point.

[NinjaMaster]

Originally Posted by delaan

Today "ninjutsu" is mostly used as a term to gather a special branch of martial arts; the ancient combat style used by the samurai and ninja, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Just like most other martial arts, it has developed into several branches, were different Dojos practice somewhat differently, and thus have different belt systems.

Sadly there are people who want to start a "ninja school", and call it Ninjutsu, where they just sneak around, play with some judo moves and toss ninja stars.

However, the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu have the system:

10th Kyu = no grade/white
9th-1st Kyu = Green (some use red for women)
1st-15th Dan = black

With some markings as you progress trough your green and black belt.
This is at least how we practice the ranks where I train (Norway).
This is also backed up by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan#Ranks.

Then there are of course the deviant schools who add several colors to give a more visible progress trough the training. (This mostly to encourage people to want to progress)

Not 110% sure about this, but I think it should be right

It's interesting that the blackbelt goes up to 15th dan. All the Korean styles only go up to 10th and it's only reserved for one grandmaster.

[Zaraki Kenpachi]

In To Shin Do Ninjutsu we go
white
yellow
high yellow
low blue
blue
high blue
low red
red
high red
low green
green
high green
low brown
brown
high brown
black

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by drallig9399

In To Shin Do Ninjutsu we go
white
yellow
high yellow
low blue
blue
high blue
low red
red
high red
low green
green
high green
low brown
brown
high brown
black

I thought they already had "black"

And white was for winter training...

Is there a mossy oak?

[Zaraki Kenpachi]

Well you dont start as a black belt and it doesnt snow much if at all here.

[47MartialMan]

*Start with black belts....Sure they do....it has to match with the black uniform for stealth....

It has to match all environments...dont they?

[Draven]

Originally Posted by 47MartialMan

*Start with black belts....Sure they do....it has to match with the black uniform for stealth....

It has to match all environments...dont they?

Interestingly enough, Omoto-Ryu Ninjutsu used a ranking system of titles...

Deshi = Student
Sempai = Senior Student
Sensei/Shishi = Teacher/Warrior Teacher (older term used by koryu arts)
Shihan = Master

Since then, I've had to invent a belt system to make it more attractive to commercial students and familiar to others.

Deshi:
5th Kyu = White Belt
4th Kyu = Yellow Belt
3rd Kyu = Orange Belt
2nd Kyu = Green Belt
1st Kyu = Brown Belt

Sempai:
1st Dan to 2nd Dan = Black Belt

Sensei/Shishi:
3rd Dan to 4th Dan = Black Belt

Shihan:
5th Dan = Black Belt w/ Red Stripe

As a rule belts at the deshi levels mark phases of training, not rank. At black belt one obtains rank, and marks phases of advanced training. They also are cerimonial, meaning that they aren't worn except during cerimonies such as ranking, awards, and in the dojo. Our training camps belts are forbidden to be worn outside the meeting hall where students gather to discuss information, training and have cerimonies or lectures.

[shidoshi]

I train Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu with the Bujinkan and our dojo only use
white
green
black


There are no katas; we grade by sparring and showing various talents (example we may be asked to show a certain wristlock, throw, groundhitting etc).

Of course, it may vary in other dojos but since ours is one of few here in South West UK to be recognised under the Bujinkan (headed by Masaaki Hatsumi) I would think it's par for the course.

[shidoshi]

Just to add a comment.

'Sensei' translates roughly as 'one who has gone the road before us' IE He has done the stuff we want to do/learn

'Shidoshi' literally means 'teacher'.

This is why some Ninjutsu dojos use the word 'Sensei' and some use the word 'Shidoshi'.

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by shidoshi

Just to add a comment.

'Sensei' translates roughly as 'one who has gone the road before us' IE He has done the stuff we want to do/learn

'Shidoshi' literally means 'teacher'.

This is why some Ninjutsu dojos use the word 'Sensei' and some use the word 'Shidoshi'.

I thought the majority used Shidoshi......

[shidoshi]

Originally Posted by 47MartialMan

I thought the majority used Shidoshi......

Technically the term 'Shidoshi' is only used by Ninjutsu teachers who have been granted (checkable) a license from Hatsumi.
And before you ask I am not one of them...'Shidoshi' is just my nickname for this forum (;