Hi everyone.

I am thinking about starting training in Ninjutsu and was wondering what other people think.

Any information on the art would be usefull.

Which school are you thinking of?

If it is not part of the Bujinkan, Genbukan or Jinenkan then it will not be genuine Ninpo, and so should be avoided.

I know nothing of Genbukan or Jinenkan, except that they are descended from Bujinkan.
Bujinkan (full name Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu) is headed by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, a truely formidable man.
I have met and trained with a Bujinkan 5th dan black belt, and I hold him up as one of the top martial artists I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

So, if you have a club from any of the above organisations near to you, I say go give it a try.
If it is not associated, ignore it as it may well be a McDojo.

Hope this is of some help. Any questions, feel free to ask.

James

About the only advice I can give you is to go try it out and find out for yourself whether or not it is something you want to learn. I think that is the best way to determine if the art is what you are looking for, keeping in mind all the ups and downs it presents.

To Shin Do is also an art descended from Bujinkan. It was founded and headed by Stephen K. Hayes who is best known as one of Hatsumi Soke's first American students. I don't know that I agree with these being to only legitimate lineages though. Considering what the ninjas stock-in-trade was I find it hard to believe that Togakure-ryu is the only survivor. I do believe that there are probably more charlatans than there are real ninjutsu practitioners though. This goes for many other styles as well.

Amen! Dan.