Manji Ninjutsu (万字忍術?) is the fighting style used by Yoshimitsu.
Background[]
Soulcalibur IV[]
Member of the secretive Manji clan from the base of Mt. Fuji. One legend says that they guarded "something dangerous" that they prevented from reaching the outside world. But the clan fell into a trap and were all destroyed. Only one survived.
The final inheritor of Manji Ninjutsu, Yoshimitsu roamed the world, a prisoner of throughts of revenge, but he finally realized that his ambition would only lead to further revenge.
He formed a group of friendly thieves called the "Manjitou" and used his ninjutsu skill to help the weak.
His movement is extremely mysterious, phantasmagoric fencing skill.
Soulcalibur V[]
The Manji clan lived in secrecy at the base of Mount Fuji. The unique fighting style they developed looked like nothing more than random and bewildering movements upon first glance, but in fact, each technique was carefully designed to mislead the target while striking at their weak points with lethal accuracy. The origins of this fighting style are said to be rooted in the Tang Dynasty, where the knowledge was hidden within various talents commonly accepted as a means of entertainment, and usually practiced by assassins.
The Manji clan was massacred by the historically prominent figure Nobunaga Oda, but Manji Ninjutsu lived on in a survivor, Yoshimitsu I, who went on to teach it to the clan's other remaining members.
Yoshimitsu II grew up with the Fu-Ma clan, but was adopted by Yoshimitsu I and taught Manji Ninjutsu as well as the value of honor. Yoshimitsu II displayed a natural aptitude for Manji Ninjutsu and soon surpassed all of the other Manji clan members. The spirit of his adoptive father and the old Manji clan now lives on in the soul of Yoshimitsu II.
Soulcalibur VI[]
In Japan's Warring States period, the influence ninja had on the balance of power and the outcome of battles cannot be underestimated. Ninja clans did not work specifically for any one person, and could be hired by any warlord who had the coin. They had no interest in who won or lost the wars for control over the country, only in honing their skills.
The Manji clan's village was located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, they earned the ire of a powerful warlord, who saw to it that the clan was destroyed. Currently, their techniques live on through the lone survivor, Yoshimitsu, who dedicated his life to his clan's martial arts.
Manji ninjutsu's unusual combat techniques are designed to leave an opponent bewildered, unsure of their opponent's next move. Also, the swords used in Manji ninjutsu are not the straight ones most ninja clans employ, but curved at one end. In other words, Manji techniques are designed to be used with a katana. This allows its wielder to adapt to weapons they find while on a mission, or disguise themselves as samurai.
Yoshimitsu's excellent swordsmanship puts him on par with the greatest swordsmen of his time.
Ninjutsu in real life[]
More an art of tricks than an actual martial art, Ninjutsu included methods of unarmed combat (体術 Taijutsu; literally meaning "body skill" or "body art"), methods of combat with weapons (Katana, Wakizashi, Bō, Naginata), many of which began as improvised weapons or farm implements (Kusarigama, Kunai, Shuriken etc.); methods of gathering information; and techniques of non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection. Ninjutsu can also involve training in free running, swimming, climbing, disguise, escape, concealment, and medicine.
Superhuman or supernatural powers were often associated with the ninja. Some legends include flight, invisibility, shapeshifting, the ability to "split" into multiple bodies, the summoning of animals, and control over the five classical elements. These fabulous notions have stemmed from popular imagination regarding the ninja's mysterious status.
Practitioners[]
External Links[]
- Ninjutsu at Wikipedia.