A man in Japan has become the first person to hold a master’s degree in ninja studies. The man has completed the course that involved learning martial art skills and climbing mountains like a real ninja.
Genichi Mitsuhashi, who spend two years learning and studying at Mie University about the fighting techniques, history, and traditions of ninjas.
According to Japan Times, Mie University has set up the first-ever research center devoted to the ninja back in 2017. A year later, a graduate course was open to learning.
It was located in Iga, a place where many ninja lives a long time ago.
“Iga is where Ninja used to live. The climate of this area created the very nature of ninja,” said Mitsuhashi.
To better understand how ninjas lived, Mitsuhashi has moved to the mountainous province of Iga, 220 miles from Tokyo. It is believed that he runs a local inn and has his own dojo, teaching ninja skills to people.
“I read that ninjas worked as farmers in the morning and trained in martial arts in the afternoon,” added Mitsuhashi.
He then grew vegetables on his own in Iga while honing his ninja techniques. “With this combination, I thought I could learn about the real ninja,” he said.
Yuji Yamada, a professor of ninja studies in the university even surprised by Mitsuhasi’s dedication to learning ninjas.
“We provide historical classes and courses on ninja skills. But I didn’t expect him to engage to this extent like a real living ninja,” said Yamada.
To learn about the course, students have to take an exam on Japanese history and a reading test on historical ninja documents.
“We get many inquiries from overseas but I have to say one thing: This is a course to learn about the ninja, not to become one,” added Yamada.
Mitsuhashi, who wants to continue his ninja studies in a doctoral degree also added that the course has made him learned about past and present.
“Living independently for your own survival and prosperity is important for modern Japan. The world for each of us is not global, but local. The era for globalism is over.” he said.
Source: CNN, Japan Times