Please email your questions to us and we will do our best to answer them.
Q. Why don't you wear belts? Sashes are not traditional.
A. The sash has been around since clothing has been around and is actually the more traditional of the two. The karate belt has only existed since the late 1800's when judo came into existance. The traditional sashes could not handle the harsh wear and tear put on them by the judo throws and grapples. So the judo masters created the karate belt by folding a piece of cloth over an over and stitching it down the center. To this day the sash is a 4 inch doubled piece of cloth seamed on one side. It is still worn by commoners. The gi was also created by the judo masters when the kimonos that were worn at the time couldn't take the wear and tear of the grapples and throws. In martial arts practice hakamas, which had their own ties, were the more traditional form of clothing. This can be seen in many of the pictures of the old martial arts masters.
Q. Why do you use tonfas and other "Okinawan" weapons?
A. Shidoshi Saija of the 36th generation taught them, and Shidoshi Bryce Dallas enjoyed the
learning of them. As such, he carried the knowledge here, to teach to his students.
"Is it not good to learn as much as you can and prepare for every situation?"
Q. Why do you not show up on the 45 ronin samurai listings?
A. The listing is for the main island of Japan, Honshu, and our style originated in Kyushu. The ronin listing is explicitly for the main island.
Q. Is there only one ninja sect out of the 8 billion people in the world? Meaning that Iga has the only surviving ninja master after 800 years of Ninjutsu history?
A. No. Shidoshi Saija is still alive, and according to his word, there are several other ninja masters still in existence from other clans.
Q. Are there other Christian Ninja groups, other than Konigun?
A. Yes, here are a few:
- Sasanuma Ryu
- Kobo Ryu
- Takeda Ryu
- Kankai Ryu
Q. Were all Ninja groups, assassins?
A. No.
Q. What are some of the other Ninja groups that may or may not have been Christian Ninjas?
A. Here are a few:
- Kyushin Ryu
- Fudo Ryu
- Gyokku Ryu
- Koga Ryu
- Iga Ryu
Q. The sai isn't a Japanese weapon. Ninja's didn't use it. Why do you guys use it?
A. The sai actually is a Japanese Weapon:
"Munisai was a competent swordsman, and an expert with the 'jitte', a kind of iron
truncheon with a tongue for catching sword blades." --excerpt from A Book of Five Rings
by Miyamoto Musashi
(For those who've not read the book, Munisai is Miyamoto's father.)
Not only does the jitte's description fit a sai, but the function of the jitte fits
the form of the sai as well. The Japanese had a gardening tool that the sai/jitte
originated from. The use of the tool was to properly space the holes
for seeds in rows of crops.
Q. What is the difference between Ninjutsu and Konigun Ninjutsu?
A. Ninjutsu is a particular type of martial art. Konigun is the style of Ninjutsu that
we teach. There are other styles or sects (ryu) of Ninjutsu in the world. Kyushin Ryu,
Fudo Ryu, Gyokku Ryu, Koga Ryu, and Iga Ryu just to name a few.
Each of these sects of Ninjutsu is represented by white, black, or red. Konigun is a
red sect. This means that we are a Christian art and are forbidden to be hired out as
assassins. We have good intentions and will use what we know to defend ourselves, our
families, and our style. Black sects are the assassins. They are basically atheist and will do anything to further
themselves. White sects are Shinto and not Buddhist. They follow the way of
Shintoism.
Q. Since it is mentioned there is no need to use power in taijutsu, does it mean that a ninja need not develop physical power by doing exercises like pushups or weight lifting? Are there differences in taijutsu in various styles of ninjutsu? In one style I've heard of there is no physical power used, power is generated by body dynamics. Is it the same in your style too?
A. The short answer is that strength is necessary for a good martial artist. Speed
is very good and body dynamics are very good, but they will only get you so far. It
is necessary to gain strength as well as speed and skill in order to progress at an
optimal pace. Speed is more important than strength, but with speed comes strength
and skill is necessary for both to work.
Weight lifting and exercises are both very good ideas when practicing martial
arts. It is important to remember to stretch, though, both before and after your
workout. If you do not stretch, then you will not remain limber and your strength
will not help you as much because of your limited mobility. It is also a good idea
to do some sort of cardio workout for at least 20 minutes after lifting weights.
This will help to irrigate the lactic acid from your muscles preventing soreness and
allowing the muscles to recover faster.
Body dynamics is very helpful, but is still limited by itself. You must have strength. There
is a misconception among many people that as long
as you are faster than your opponent and you use body dynamics, that you cannot be
beaten. This is fallacious thinking. Speed allows you to outmaneuver your opponent
and body dynamics will give you a handicap over your opponent's strength. They allow
you to use your opponent's weight and position against him and give the illusion that
you are stronger than you are or that your opponent is weaker than he is, but they
do not guarantee victory. Imagine an opponent who is at exactly the same skill level
and exactly the same speed as yourself, only he is stronger. Who would win?
Strength, skill, and speed are all very important when training in any martial art.
Q. Is your lineage of Koga or Iga?
A. Neither, our lineage comes from the Saiga/Saija family, located on the southern island of Kyushu.