FOREWORD
I dedicate this book to my wife Sharon Deidrè Bothma, whom has supported me throughout my life as a devoted teacher and instructor to the art of ninjutsu, as also to my personal instructor Chris Engels and his instructor Shihan Barry Pictor.
Special thanks to the ongoing support of fellow Sensei Anton Ferreira, Sensei Carl Potgiter teaching at the Parow Dojo and Sensei Emile M Du Preez and Sensei Stuart JV Davies of the Rondebosch dojo and students, Peter Andrews, Richard Dutton and Simon Theunissen, Kurt Straus and Vasili Vikos and Marno Swanepoel of the Rondebosch dojo in Cape Town RSA, whom has helped with the photo sessions for illustration purposes and last but not least a special thanks to my daughter Deidré Van Zyl for devoting her time in taking the photos as also my son Paul Bothma Jnr. whom also had helped as a model and student in the taking of photos.
Thank you for your time and effort.
This book “Of Basic Knowledge” will not be ventured into all the already given literature which is usually distributed world wide in almost every ninjutsu book on the martial arts market. Basically all ninjutsu history goes back to the “Iga” or the “Koga” prefectures in Japan, except for minor details of smaller groups that come and go.
This book will be based on and will be illustrating thoughts, structures and movements that was passed on to me by the above mentioned tutors as also the expansion of my own ideas that was learnt through my years of experience.
I hereby hope that other masters will acknowledge this book, and find that although not being able to practice the more religious part or the very misunderstood higher order form “NINPO”, we as westerners can still attain the warrior spirit and foster the effort of will, in practicing the combat art of ninjutsu.
Concerning the weaponry, only short basic portions will be illustrated and discussed upon, but will be dealt with in future literature.
It is to my, belief, anybody who truly instructs ninjutsu should not deny the fact that all fundamentals of ninjutsu are at basic level, the same. The same principles, etiquette and values are being taught or adopted. Only the techniques of skill mastered and founded by leading instructors which are adapted and applied to the various different schools or discipline of ninjutsu, could differ to other existing renowned styles or dojo.
It must be understood that techniques tend to change regularly, in order to enhance proficiency.
SOKE Paul Walton Bothma