The Goal of the Black Dragon Ninjitsu Home Study Course

Ninjutsu is not a martial art, in the historical sense...

Ninjutsu is not the Art of Invisibility, in the historical sense...

Ninjutsu is not the Art of Invisibility, in the sense of Japanese language skills...

What is Ninjutsu?

Ninjutsu is the Invisible Art. Things done that are not meant to be seen, so they are hidden "invisible" to all but the puppeteers behind the curtain pulling the strings. Ninjutsu is the clandestine operations of Japanese samurai and those same skills have been morphed into other professions like intelligence operatives, military scouts, police investigators and some even say, adopted by the Yakuza (Japanese organized crime) for the purposes of smuggling, blackmail, murder and various other misdeeds.

So what is Black Dragon Ninjitsu?

Black Dragon Ninjitsu is the art pioneered by me based on it's roots in Omoto Ryu Budo, which did contain ninjutsu. Mixed with my own insights and experiences from other martial arts, Black Dragon Ninjitsu is more of a paramilitary and survival art then a martial art in the strictest sense of the word. Unfortunately, as dangerious as the world is becoming and need for such skills by everyday people growing, there isn't much interest in Modern Ninjitsu (I use the "Ninjutsu" & "Ninjitsu" spellings interchangeably) outside the military or the militia. So Black Dragon Ninjitsu is meant to be the first paramilitary competition ninjutsu-style in the world... While that sinks in.

The difference in spelling using the "i" or "u" is irrellivant as the Japanese written script of kanji has no English spelling, as it is a logographic (meaning Kanji are ideographs; meaning that the whole character conveys a meaning rather then just a phonic word, similar to how pictographs have a certain meaning which displayed by the image.) Kanji literally means Chinese Character.

Romanji or literally Roman Characters or Roman Letters in English, does have a spelling but the three main forms of Romanji are Hepburn Romanji which was abolished in 1994 and replaced with Revised Hepburn Romanji, Nihon-shiki Romanji which was created by the Japanese and pre-dates Hepburn Romanji and Kunrei-shiki Romanji which is a revised form of Nihon-shiki Romanji.

The difference in the spelling of "i" or "u" also a common argument among Jujitsu/Jujutsu practicers as among ninjutsu/ninjitsu practicers is the difference of a long or short vow. Because the "i" or "u" of Jutsu is a short vow it many times phonically comes across as soft "u" which to the original Hepburn Romanji system was spelled as "i" and was sometimes spelled with a "u" by more experienced Japanese speakers in the West, with no official spelling since about the 1970s, it was not formally added to revised Hepburn Romanji system until 1994, though informally existed in use since almost 20 years before that.

Romanji Spelling aside, the Kanji is the same...

Why does the world need Competition Ninjutsu & How Would Such a Competition work?

This is real question... First off when I was in the U.S. Army, we had many different forms of competition. Modern Army Combatives competitions focused on Brazilian Jiujutsu, Puggle Stick competitions to simulate bayonet fighting and force on force small teams warfare competitions between fireteams. Larger force on force competitions between Brigades and Companies to test the leadership and strategic planning of officers as well as the fighting skills of enlisted soldiers.

Note: Achievements #2 & #3... ARTEP stands for Army Training and Evaluation Program, a massive force on force "War Game" testing different units against each other at all levels. Also note Monthly competitions in Hand-to-Hand Combat and we didn't compete because it was fun. We competed because I gave an experience to learn from...

It was fun and it taught us so much, so why do we need Competition Ninjutsu? Because it will give us an opportunity to grow, learn and take the study of warfare as more then history lessons and Live Action Role-Playing (LARPing) in Samurai Armor. It would be fun...

How would such a Ninja Competition Work? Simple, lets bring in the ninjas open to all arts & systems not just "Ninjutsu" or Black Dragon Ninjitsu... As an old member of Ashida Kim's forum Big Lew used to say "The proof is in the pudding." Now I don't agree with Lew that competition proves anything, you can't sum up all of an art by how a person does in competition. But, you can learn from experience and build yourself up by testing yourself...  We never disagreed there, competition would provide a chance to learn and adapt your thinking.

Such a competition would be a 3 to 5 day event, everyone would get together camp out, venders could sell things, authors could do book signings and there would be events...

We of course would open up with a martial arts tournament, similar to, if not MMA rules...
From there would a Self-Defense competition, different scenarios to which someone has to react. Some of it using social controls and interactions and other applying techniques and judged on 3 things: simplicity, effectiveness and accordance with lawful use of force. Weapons competitions would include shuriken throwing, knife throwing and archery. Knife-sparring using chalk knives, stick and staff competitions using pugil sticks and sword competitions on both cutting and kendo like fencing competitions. We could use variations of pugil sticks to simulate spear fighting. Add encryption and decryption code breaking competitions, stealth and camouflage competitions, obstacle course races and end it all with a Night time Small Teams Warfare Competition...

Each "Army" would be broken down into two teams. A 5-man defending team armed with paintball guns & kendo sticks, protecting an objective. A 5-man infiltration force armed with blowguns to shoot paintballs, chalk knives for sentry removal and kendo sticks. The "missions" for each army may be different, get inside and set a bomb: colored smoke device (sabotage), steal the enemy plans and get them back to their base wins (espionage) or kill the enemy commander, behead the dumby and bring the head back to the base wins (assassination). Infiltrating teams can engage on the battle field or sneak past. Defenders can to re-organized into infiltrating teams. Any paintball hit to the head or body, counts as a "kill" and team member is removed from the battle.

If no Army, achieves its objective both have last their battles, mutual destruction. First Army to complete its objective wins.

Why do we need this?
Because there is so much to ninjutsu then just Jujutsu (taijutsu) in a Black Gi and this is an opportunity for everyone interested in Ninjutsu, Ninjas, Clandestine and Convert warfare, Military Combatives, Self-Defense and martial arts to get together to learn from each other, to compete with others and learn find out own weakness and find ways to improve upon them.

How does this begin?
It begins with the Black Dragon Ninjitsu Home Study Course it is the only way I can ensure those involves have the needed skills. You don't need to buy the videos, you can sell the DVDs or trade them purchase isn't a requirement. Once you have your 9th Kyu rank, you can organize a study group of up 4 other people, they don't need to buy their own DVDs, just enroll in the program and submit the weekly testing videos. This gives you someone to train with and practice your techniques against, have a living breathing opponent. As the senior belt you are incourage of getting everyone together and organizing your groups training.

If you reach Shodan, you can rank others up to 1st Kyu/Ikkyu and even teach Black Dragon Ninjitsu as an assistant instructor, requiring all Shodan to come to West Virginia for the 3 Bootcamp and testing. Then compete in the Black Dragon Ninjitsu Ninja Competition against others, other systems and gain some knowledge about yourself that help you to grow as martial artist and a person.

Black Dragon Ninjitsu isn't about doing things my way... Its about finding your own way. By the time you reach shodan you should have the same techniques as me and your own unique style of making them work for you. In a Ninja Competition, the goal is learning about yourself... your strengths and your weaknesses so that you can improve you. So while everyone might be competing they are also learning from one another and becoming better for it.

Because it is not just about Competition, its about cooperation and growth...

Interview with Grandmaster Jay "Flying Tiger" Blanton

Note to Reader: This is an interview conducted over e-mail I wish I could have gotten more involved but do to time constraints for all this stuff  have going on I had to cut this short.


Ok today we are going to interview grandmaster Jay Blanton. Right off the bat I'd like to congratulate you on you life story becoming a movie. So to start of with I would like to begin there. 

Can you tell me about what got you into martial arts?
Hey Ron I am honored to be interviewed and thanks for your kind words. I got into the martial arts because of being bullied because of my speech problem and as a child I watch all the Bruce Lee and kung fu movies and being bullied I thought if I can do what Bruce Lee does these people will leave me along. Going through grade school I met a friend in Tae Kwon Do and he took up for me against the bullies and basically protected me against their physical abuse. He told me I need to take a martial arts class. I told my parents but we did not have the money to afford the classes at that time. So when I got into Jr. high school again a friend who was taking Tae Kwon Do and teaching it at our local community center told me i needed to get into the martial arts and it would help me against all the physical abuse I was going through. He said I only charge you $ 5.00 a month I signed up along with my other friends and the rest is history.

Having been bullied yourself, you started the BDFS Anti-Bully program what can you tell us about the program?
I started the BDFS Anti-Bullying Program to be more than just a bunch of martial arts techniques like most martial arts schools have. I wanted a unique training program not only show how to defend yourself against bullies but to educate the student and everybody what bullying is. We have a Instructor's Manual to help anybody not just martial artist to understand what bullying and how to avoid it at all possible and how to teach this to others. We also have a Student's Manuel so the students or anybody can understand and get educated on bullying it is like a school or college course it has everything in it the Instructor is teaching you. And we test the Instructor's of the BDFS Anti-Bullying Program as well so they are Certified to teach our unique program.                                          
Now in October in Chicago you are going to demonstrate an "anti-bully" kata, can you shed a bit of light on that?
We have came up with a Level 2 Instructor's BDFS Anti-Bullying Program Certification with the help from Gm Ashida Kim and Gm David Harris we are working on a "new" book and a manual for this program and Gm Harris will be helping me on a phone app and dvd and Instructor Certification in the future for the program. We will introduce this new Level 2 program in Chicago and the Kung Fu technique is called "Shen" which will address the psychological part of bullying and the technique will help everybody who is or has been bullied as well clear their minds from all the mental trauma they have suffered a unique and easy technique to learn and anybody can do it.  

You've met some very influential people in the martial arts too haven't you, so martial arts has really changed your life for the better?
Yes I have meet so many wonderful martial artist and had the pleasure of training with them not enough room here to name them all so I will mention a few Gm Richard Hedrick he guided me so much in my martial arts career with all his different styles and varies Instructors at his school, Gm Kang Rhee the Instructor of Elvis Presley, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and he even trained with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, Gm Rhee name my system of martial arts "Mang Ho" which is Tiger in Korean which is the animal nickname he gave me. Since I had combined all my other styles into my system he told me that you have done like Bruce Lee you have created you own unique style. I call it a system because I continue to add to Mang Ho Ryu which I call it now.                          
Gm Donald Miskel my dear friend and brother I call him my family we talk on a regular base and Gm Ashida Kim again part of my family who has helped me so much not only re-doing my book but helping me with the BDFS Anti-Bullying Program Manuals. Gm David Harris again family who is helping me and teaching me "Shen" and other private things going on. And then Hanshi Frank Dux what can I say not enough room for what he has done for me again family. He has trained me in Dux Ryu, got my book and the BDFS Anti-Bullying Program in Mexico, presented me with the Dux Ryu Fellowship Award and allowed me in the Dux Ryu Circle Of Iron and named me Flying Tiger because of all the things in my life I overcame. And all the Dux Ryu patches on my uniform and my most honored one my Flying Tiger patch my personal patch in Dux Ryu I could go on. I now go by Gm Flying Tiger                        

Any advice for parents looking to enroll their kids in a martial arts program?
My advise to parents is to Please sign your kids up in a good martial arts program it will help them the rest of their life, check out the school and Instructor(s) before you jump into a martial arts school. Ask questions, take the free class, talk with other parents etc check out other martial arts schools in the area and ask your child how he likes the Instructor(s) and the class etc. It's the best thing you can ever do.                                  

Does religion or spirituality play a big part of your outlook?
Yes. Religion is a big part of my life being a born again Christian has helped me forgive all those people that have bullied me all my life from physical abuse, mental abuse and even into adulthood on the job. I could easily have beaten the snot out of those people and the people on the job but through all my martial arts training and my spirituality I didn't. Martial arts teaches us not to use what we have learned to hurt others or bully them but to only use it if we have to defend ourselves. I have walked away from many attacks and let it go rather than to hurt some one, which I knew I could easily do and being a Christian I have to to this as well.                                                                                                                    
So how is the Film project coming along &, thank you for taking the time out your busy schedule for this interview?
The movie is coming along Gene Michaels of Show Biz Productions is writing the screen play along with my help I will keep everybody updated on the progress I know this movie will help all understand bullying and when you bully some one it last a life time.                                                           
Thank you Ron for interviewing me it was my honor to share my thoughts with everyone God bless Gm Flying Tiger

There is a Difference in Knoing the Path & Walking the Path...

While the words come from a movie the Matrix, spoken by the stories mentor to main protagonist Neo a fictional character they are no less true. There is a difference between knowing the path & walking the path....

But what is your "Path."

Paths take us to many places and are often more important then were we end up. Many times people place more importance on the path then the lessons of the path. Living your life, is your choice no one can do it for you. While my life has been largely linked to the practice & sadly the politics of the ninjutsu community is a basic reality. However, as I said there is a difference between knowing the path & walking the path.

I have used my skills, addressed in various blogs how I used Chikari no Jutsu (The Art of Entering the Circle) to become familiar with the family and associates of those I am at war with in West Virginia. I abstained the direct tactic of war fir the indirect tactic until such time and place as such as it is required. However, I followed the second principle of Espionage Warfare in that I have "[Subverted] anything of value in the enemy's country. Implicate[d] the emissaries of the major powers in criminal undertakings; [to] undermine their position and destroy their reputations..." as well.

I have even applied the third principle even enlisting the aid of those who sought subvert my efforts from within using Fukuro-Gaeshino Jutsu (the art of feeding an enemy false information using a doubled agent) tactic known as Hotarabi no Jutsu; giving the enemy supposedly "secret information" via informants and snitches. As well as Karsura Otoko no Jutsu is a art of limiting the enemy's intelligence resources and spreading false information. Even using Kamigakure no Jutsu the art of seeing what is hidden by God or seeing with the eyes of god; analyzing personality types, facts and information to options to predict the mostly likely outcomes, actions and objectives. 

While some of my friends see this as negative, I do not... I am simply walking a path I was destined for. Destined is such a strange word and perhaps this is my ego speaking; as I find the likelihood of these people coming head to head with someone using my skills as an uncommon and unusual in the least. Honestly, my skills are mostly academic & in this case I am inexperienced in its application. Ninjutsu is not a path, it is not a finger pointing to the moon. Ninjutsu is the act, the means of pointing to the moon and my choice to act the finger.

It is not in my choice to act that matters, it is not how I choose to act that matters, it is in understanding that my path is reaching apex where my will is achieving results. Ninjutsu is not my path, my path is life. In my life I stand behind certain ideas; freedom, justice, honor & self-discipline. You see my outburst in Full Disclosure served several points; one of which was to excite the internet trolls whom I've already outed as spreading lies and half-truths.

The truth is Ninjutsu for the most part is a Joke...  All the cheerleading trolls deserve is a dishonorable mention and the point in past blogs outlining their lies. The reality is ninjutsu is so full of frauds because as a whole the system is full of recreations and false lineage claims. I've outgrown that but picked up a few very useful skills & have used them. My path is my own choosing. I do not believe I am simply meant to be a ninjutsu instructor & this chaos and drama serves to prove my own actions serve a purpose and seek results.

What is my path, my life... what is the goal of my life? I haven't decided, I am an adventurer. I live for the adventure & I'm perfectly happy being blow about by the wind. My path is one that I walk alone, seeking  self-improvement and to find a honorable. I desire to neither follow or be followed for the path I walk is one of my own content. However, the world is changing around us and I find that my skills and actions (even though they seem a bit silly & flamboyant) is used to draw the spiders out of the center of their webs in the shadows and expose them openly in the spot light with me on display.

Being displayed is not where one wants to be while plotting and politicking. Being on display is not where one wants to be when trying to subvert another. So don't confuse the puppet show with the puppeteers. You see I put out just enough evidence to prove criminality in the State Government. And no matter how outrageous or silly I appear its all for show...

You see this spider weaves his webs in the spot light & under your nose. Because while you're here in the spot light with me, you have more to hide then I do. After all I've admitted my faults and wrong doing... However, there is more then my life at stake & for the 8 years I've lost others have lost whole lives. For the shame & disgrace I'm supposed to feel at false charges and wild accusations, other have very real things to feel ashamed and disgraced for. The fact remains my path is to fight however I can, because others will not or cannot. My path is more important then ninjutsu or making money, my path is my own.

Knowing the path means one is not walking the path... this is called learning.
Walking the path means one is living their lives to fulfill a goal in service to forces beyond themselves... this is called experiencing.
Finally, one helps others along the path... this called being a fellow traveler/a friend.
We never reach the end of our journey until we shed this mortal coil or stop learning as human beings.

Decided what your path is and walk it... only you can decide how much your path/your life is worth. But in martial arts we get so caught up by titles like master, grandmaster & so on, that we forget its not the skills you have that define but the direction your life takes you.