恐術の武道精紳 Kyōjutsu no Budō Seishin (The Martial Spirit of Ninjutsu) (Page 141) from the book 忍術秘錄 Ninjutsu Hiroku by 藤田西湖著 Fujita Seiko.
Though the methods of stealthy entry be e’er so studied, if the 忍び shinobi’s own heart and body be not forged in training, they avail naught. Thus, the forging of the ninjutsu practitioner’s 心 heart and body becometh the matter of utmost import. Of training methods shall I speak in detail hereafter, but the 忍 nin of 忍術 ninjutsu is even called the nin of 忍耐 nintai (endurance), so greatly must the ninjutsu practitioner endure with extreme patience. First, firm of purpose, righteous of heart, he must needs possess a soul that endureth any hardship.
All ninjutsu transmission books place foremost the words 正心 seishin (righteous heart), preaching the necessity of a true martial spirit. That is, ninja and thief differ in essence; the thief acteth for private gain, the ninja wieldeth arts for great righteousness. Hence, for lord and realm, he stealeth naught save what war demandeth. Therefore, even the child of a ninja, if the parent deem his heart unfit to uphold great righteousness, receiveth not the arts but seeth the scrolls cast into the flames; and should another overhear the arts when spoken, he must needs be slain.
The ninja held secrecy in utmost regard; when dispatched from the castle as a shinobi, none knew save the lord and the ninjutsu practitioner betwixt them twain. E’en the chief retainer, should he overhear, was to be slain by decree. The oniwaban (garden keepers) began with Muramatsu Zadayū of the Kishū-ryū, yet ’tis thought the ninja devised such means to gain audience with the shogun.
Thus, the ninja held that marriage be permitted not save with fellow ninjutsu practitioners. And in both Iga and Kōka, when no heir existed, or when one existed yet proved unfit, they brought one from another school to succeed. Now, what conditions made one fit? These were honesty, keenness of mind, and agility of body as the three elements. Honesty is the spiritual necessity of the ninja, wherein he differeth from the thief. Keenness of mind signifieth sharp working of the six senses and strong memory. Wherefore? For instance, in sketching a castle’s layout, one may note it only in the mind, not upon paper; thus, keenness of mind is natural for a ninja.
藤田西湖著 Fujita Seiko (1899–1966), 14th-generation Kōga-ryū ninjutsu heir (after Wada Taremasa of the Kōga 21 Families), real name Fujita Yūji, used “Fujita Isamu” in books and “Seiko” as painter pen name. Nicknamed “last ninja,” he inherited Kōga-ryū ninjutsu, Nanban Satsuma-ryū kenpō, Daien-ryū jōjutsu, Shingetsu-ryū shurikenjutsu, and Ichiden-ryū torijutsu from youth.
Born in Asakusa, Tokyo; graduated Nihon University (religious studies). Worked as reporter; taught military science at Army Toyama School, Army/Navy War Colleges. Pre-war, aided Army Nakano School prep; post-opening, lectured on Kōga-ryū-based spiritualism and taught Nanban Satsuma-ryū kenpō (never full Kōga-ryū).
Pre-war, taught Nanban Satsuma-ryū to Konishi Yasuhiro (Shintō Jinen-ryū founder); post-war, to Mabuni Kenwa (Shitō-ryū), Kikuchi Kazuo (Seishin-ryū), others. Iwata Manzō inherited all styles except Kōga-ryū.
忍術秘錄 Ninjutsu Hiroku by 藤田西湖著 Fujita Seiko.
First Edition Printed : 1936 by Chiyoda Shoin
311 pages