Mountain Tae Kwon Do School

This martial art was imported from China and was originally called "shinobi-jutsi." The practitioners (ninja warriors) were hired as spies, assassins, and terrorists in feudal Japan. The ninja ("stealer in" or "spy") sold their clandestine services to the lords of Japan when certain disreputable tasks had to be undertaken. The ninja families worked for the highest bidder and owed allegiance to no one.

Flourishing between the 13th and 17th centuries, the ninja became legends in their time, capable of performing astonishing feats. They developed Ninjutsu (art of stealth) which incorporated all the existing martial skills like swordsmanship, archery, spearmanship, stick fighting, and unarmed combat. They also mastered specialty weapons such as dirks, daggers, darts, star-shaped throwing knives, caltrops, brass knuckles, smoke bombs, and various poisons. They became adept at an unusual degree of muscular control enabling them to perform such feats as scaling castle walls and remaining under water for long periods. And, because of their perceptive skills, some ninjas were said to have "the eyes of God."

Out of necessity, ninja were great escape artists. They could dislocate their joints and slip out of the most complicated knots. They were equally skilled at camouflage and could blend in with their surroundings so well that many regarded them as "invisible." Because of this talent, Ninjutsu has commonly been called the "art of invisibility."

Ninja were impeccable actors and masters of disguise. They could appear as priests, carpenters, soldiers, or courtesans and switch roles almost instantly as necessity dictated. Since most missions were carried out at night the ninja outfit was normally black, but occasionally green or white was worn to blend in with foliage or snow.

A ninja was an expert survivalist who could cook, prepare medicines and explosives, and perform other skills necessary for survival. One was born a ninja and died a ninja. Skills were passed down from generation to generation within families and training began soon after birth. Since secrecy was imperative few ninja achieved renown. A ninja on the verge of capture usually committed suicide rather than face torture.