Why do some people believe Masaaki Hatsumi is related to authentic Ninjutsu?

Question

The Public Iga Ninja Museum doesn't recognize the claim. There has never been any proof that he is related to authentic Ninjutsu. So, why do some foreigners think he has something to do with historically authentic Ninjutsu?

Answer 1

Actually, in Japan Masaaki Hatsumi's claims about authentic Ninjutsu aren't recognized by most.

Iga Ryu Ninja Museum website:

http://iganinja.jp/en/faq/index.html

This museum is a public museum whose purpose is to preserve Japanese history related to Ninjutsu. Part of it is for tourists but the other part actually deals with historical Ninjutsu records, materials etc. They state that only Jinichi Kawakami has the right to claim authentic Ninjutsu roots.......nobody else.

This website also contradicts Masaaki Hatsumi's claim to authentic Ninjutsu:

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~bankeshinobi/Kyo...

Follow the English link in the top right hand portion of the page.

The book listed on that website also contradicts Masaaki Hatsumi's claims about Ninjutsu:

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~bankeshinobi/new...

Also notice on that Japanese website a link to the "Shiga Prefecture" website. It shows Banke Shinobinoden doing a demonstration in Shiga Prefecture. They are a very well-respected group from Japan that teaches Bujutsu and authentic Ninjutsu.

Hope this information helps.

.............and on another note. The people you might see at the museum demonstrating techniques are just actors. They aren't connected to Jinichi Kawakami or Banke Shinobinoden. Banke Shinobinoden is a completely separate entity.

Answer 2

Unless the guy is just plain lying about it, his lineage goes through Toshitsugu Takamatsu who was the only real deal that I’ve ever been able to track down. I think Grandmaster Tanemura is more authentic but who knows.

http://www.genbukan.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?...

Answer 3

Hi Koji,

I haven't heard of the Public Iga Ninja musem... where is it located? Are they the only people who can recognize a rank among ninja?

I am not a ninjutsu practitioner and have no bias either way.

(I am not really a fan of it either... most of what I have seen is pretty poor quality...)

But as with any art, there are usually a million sides to a single story and everyone says the other is not "real" or official or authentic...etc...

Does he hold a menkyo kaiden? (I think that is the correct term...) Or a similar "license"?

But since most arts do not have a single controlling body to authorize or control their art, I find it highly unlikely ninjutsu would have such a group...