bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Japan has produced its first ninja studies graduate after Genichi Mitsuhashi spent two years honing his martial arts skills and absorbing the finer traditions of the feudal martial arts agents.
The 45-year-old completed the master’s course at Mie University in central Japan, the region considered the home of the ninja.
In addition to researching historical documents, Mitsuhashi said he took the practical aspect of being a ninja to heart.

“I read that ninjas worked as farmers in the morning and trained in martial arts in the afternoon,” he said.
So Mitsuhashi grew vegetables and worked on his martial arts techniques, in addition to copious ninja study in the classroom.
“With this combination, I thought I could learn about the real ninja,” he said.
About three students enrol every year. I think there’s demand
Professor Yuji Yamada
Better known as black-clad assassins famous for secrecy and stealth, ninjas also had “comprehensive survival skills”, he added.
Mitsuhashi, who has also learned kung fu and a Japanese martial art known as Shorinji Kempo, teaches ninja skills at his own dojo and runs a local inn while pursuing his PhD.
The Mie University set up the world’s first research centre devoted to the ninja in 2017 and opened a graduate course a year later.
It is located in Iga, a mountain-shrouded city, 350 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, once home to many ninja.
Japan towns offer free cash and cows, as more consider rural living
Yuji Yamada, a professor of Japanese history at the university in charge of the ninja centre, was surprised at Mitsuhashi’s devotion to the task.
“We provide historical classes and courses on ninja skills. But I didn’t expect him to engage to this extent” like a real living ninja, Yamada said.
To enrol, students have to take an exam on Japanese history and a reading test on historical ninja documents.
“About three students enrol every year. I think there’s demand,” the professor said. “We get many inquiries from overseas, but I have to say one thing: This is a course to learn about the ninja, not to become one.”


Youth support puts Japan’s Sanae Takaichi on track for landslide

Record F-35 deliveries muscle up American allies in the Asia-Pacific region

As Japan’s deadly winter rages on, fears of ‘disaster-level’ weather patterns mount

Are Hong Kong foreign exchange firms secure enough?

Japan

Japan’s first Ninja Studies graduate tried to live like a real ninja

Genichi Mitsuhashi is now pursuing his PhD. Photo: Courtesy of Genichi Mitsuhashi / AFP

Genichi Mitsuhashi carries out his ninja training in Iga, Mie prefecture, on June 21, 2019. Photo courtesy of Genichi Mitsuhashi / AFP

Chinese MMA fighter knocks out two kung fu ‘masters’ in one night, in 72 seconds each

Song De Cai lies on the canvas. Photos: YouTube/Fight Commentary Breakdowns

A Hu punches Song De Cai.

The referee steps between Song De Cai and A Hu

Meet Cai Zongju, the former boxing world champion shrugging off gender stereotypes in China

Cai Zongju outside the boxing ring. Photos: Handout.

With Mike Tyson in Beijing in 2016. Cai Zongju's favourite fighter is Cuban defensive master Guillermo Rigondeaux Credit Handout

Cai Zongju With her sanda coach Chen Yusheng on the right Photo: Handout

Cai Zongju with her IBF world minimumweight title belt. Photo: Handout

Cai Zongju enjoys doing photoshoots, she has featured in a Nike advert and in the Cosmopolitan magazine. Photo: Handout

Cai Zongju defending her WBC International title against Debora Rengifo of Venezuela. Photo: Handout

Cai Zongju poses in a social media post.

Jackie Chan on Project A, the martial arts film that set a creative template for his decades of show business success

Jackie Chan in a still from Project A (1983).

Kung fu superstar Jackie Chan, one of Hong Kong's most profitable film-makers and movie stars, is being interviewed in his office.

Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung in a still from Project A (1983).

Jackie Chan in the scene from 1983 film Project A where he leaps from a 22-metre clock tower. He performed the stunt three times – twice successfully, which he used in the film as a double cut – and a third time unsuccessfully, bouncing onto the ground, which ran after the end credits. Both became signature practices in his films.

‘Be water’: What was Bruce Lee’s combat philosophy, and why does it appeal to the Hong Kong protesters?

Bruce Lee is iconic for his words, actions and outfits – this is his famous yellow and black tracksuit for Game of Death. Photo: handout

Stephen Chow on Kung Fu Hustle, film that made him a household name in global movie circles

Stephen Chow (in white shirt) in a still from Kung Fu Hustle, the 2004 film that made him an international star. He also wrote and directed the film, a blend of cartoons, wuxia, CGI, and action.

Special-effects stills created by Centro Digital Pictures, used in Kung Fu Hustle directed by Stephen Chow Sing-chi. 2nd of 4 pictures

( Left to Right ) Lam Tze-chung, Stephen Chow, Huang Shengyi and Chang Kwok-kuen attend premiere of Kung Fu Hustle at Times Sqaure, Causeway Bay. 16 December 2004.

Stephen Chow Sing-chi in a still from Kung Fu Hustle (2004).

Stephen Chow Sing-chi, director of Kung Fu Hustle, receives the Best Film Award during the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Coliseum. 27 March 2005

Xing Yu (right) in a still from Kung Fu Hustle.

Stephen Chow in a still from Kung Fu Hustle.

News

Asia

East Asia


Genichi Mitsuhashi, 45, completed the master’s course at Mie University in central Japan, the region considered the home of the ninja
He now teaches ninja skills at his own dojo and runs a local inn while pursuing his PhD



Genichi Mitsuhashi, 45, completed the master’s course at Mie University in central Japan, the region considered the home of the ninja.


Martial arts

Education