Page 55 - Martial Science Magazine Oct/2015 #11

In 1676, Fujibayashi Yasutake (also Yasuyoshi, see
35) in Higashiyufune (Ayama area in Iga-city) edi-
ted “the Bansenshukai” for the fear of losing the
The value of Ninjutsu (Ninja’s skills and techniques). It
those days, although Japan was at peace, “the Ban-
senshukai” remained to be like the Bible among all
of Ninjas. So, having “the Banseshukai” was permi-
Bansenshukai tted for the top class of Ninjas. “The Bansenshukai”
was strictly forbidden to be shared. Every Ninja
really wanted “the Banseshukai
“ The meaning of “the Bansenshukai” is 10.000 ri-
vers gathering into 1 sea. That is to say, the 10.000
rivers are compared to all kinds of Ninjutsu in Iga
and Koga, and the 1 sea was Fujibayashi Yasutake’s
Ninjutsu. “The Bansenshukai” was a written trans-
mission of philosophy, military strategy tactics,
astrology and weapons that were identified speci-
fically with Ninjutsu; Fujibayashi Yasutake was
influenced by Chinese thought, and even indicates
a connection to Chinese military traditions in its
writings. He presented the material as the ultimate
accumulation and perfection of Ninjutsu knowle-
dge, as the name, “the Bansenshukai” itself sugges-
ted. “The Bansenshukai” collection includes one
volume of introduction, a question and answer sec-
tion, and a table of contents; 2 volumes on thought
and philosophy, 4 volumes on leadership, 3 volu-
mes on “Yo Ninjutsu; “5 volumes on “In Ninjutsu,”
2 volumes on astrology and 5 volumes on weapons.
The Iga version has 22 chapters bound in 12 vo-
lumes with an additional 4 chapters in 4 volumes.
In the “the Bansenshukai” there were writing about
the 11 most wonderful Iga Ninjas: in Iga area, No-
mura-noMagodayu (see 35); Shindo-no-Kotaro
(see 35); Tateoka-no-Dojun (see 35); Shimotsu-
ge-no-Kizaru and Kozaru (see 35); in Ueno area,
Ueno-no-Hidari (see 35); Kanbe-no-Konan (see
35); Takayama-no-Taroshiro and Tarozaemon (see
35); in Oyamada area, Yamada-no-Hachiuemon
(see 39); In Ayama area, Otowa-no-Kido (see 35).
It was from Tateoka-no -Dojun that Dojun school
started and later expanded into the 49 known Iga
schools. That is to say, Iga Ninjutsu had 49 schools.
“The Bansenshukai,” even at the end of Edo period
were much worth. The worth of “the Bansenshukai”

By Hiroshi Ikeda
Illustration By: Henry Binerfa
OCTOBER/2015 55