The art of invisibility, escape and concealment
in combat it is about hiding your intentions and actions from your opponent
Ninpo taijutsu, as a combat method, is hard to read and follow for an opponent and makes much of use deception, distraction and drawing
To be invisible, to hide and move unseen and unheard, we use the GoGyo five elements
Earth, Water, Fire, Wood, Metal
when being looked for by an enemy there are two main methods
1. hide so the searching enemy passes you by
2. move without being seen or heard
Earth:
get down low to the earth, "become" the earth, the dirt, a rock
move low to the earth, unseen and unheard
Water:
hide in water
in the reeds
underwater
move silently and slowly
make your movements blend with natural background noise
Wood:
use the trees and bushes as cover
go up a tree and hide in the overgrowth, above the sightline
move naturally through wood
become wood - become part of the tree
Fire:
set a fire to distract
also applies to lighting
Metal:
use of tools
anything artificially created for the purpose or improvised
Henso is disguise and impersonation
this is contemporary and depends on the time and location
how henso was used in feudal Japan
is not how it is used in 21st Century Britain
or any other 21st century country
Henso can be used for infiltration and escape
many examples can be given but the obvious one is that a Ninja doesn't dress like a Ninja (think about it)
if someone is looking for "you" - then make sure you don't look or sound like "you"
with Inton you would be where they are looking for you but "invisible", hidden, camoflagued
with Henso you would be there but in disguise - "hiding in plain sight"
with Goton you wouldn't be there, or you would escape, leave the area
Whether hiding or moving,
inton or goton,
concealment or escape,
follow the "S" code
There are 8 points here - which could be considered the kihon happo of Onshinjutsu
Stealth
Silence
Shadow
Sillouette
Shape
Shine
Surface
Spacing
Spacing - the space between you and the enemy, what they can see. Are you working alone, is the enemy, are you in a group, is the enemy? Move apart, not in formation, not at the same time - have no pattern that can be noticed
Surface - camoflague
Stealth - does your movement match the background noise? footsteps, vehicles, wind in the trees? Are you making "natural" sounds? Do you sound like water, the wind, an animal moving - or do you sound like a person? Avoid unnecessary movement.
Shape - does your shape look like a person, have you broken up your outline to look like you are part of the environment?
Shadow - the opponent cannot see you, but where is the light - are you casting a shadow on the ground or wall or tree? And does the shadow give away your shape? And would they see the shadow move even if you are concealed from direct sight?
Sillouette - are you so dark you make a dark shape that stands out?
Shine - anything metal reflective? Does the moving light catch your eyes and make them glint? Do not look directly at the enemy you are avoiding
Silence - are you moving silently? Or if concealed sitting silently? Can the enemy hear your breathing?
