In an era more than eight centuries ago Japan was composed of many independent feudal states. As warlords struggled to gain power, war was frequent, with many losses on all sides. One samurai, Daisuke Nishina, became disenchanted with war and the seemingly endless wasting of life. He left the fields of war and retreated into the mountains. His aim was to leave behind the death and destruction of war and find peace for himself.

Whilst living in the mountains he met the warrior priest, Kain Doshi. With the new understanding of life and religion he learned from Doshi he decided to spend the rest of his days living in the remote mountain area he now inhabited.

During this time Japan underwent a form of unification. The ruling warlords decided to assist this with the streamlining of religious beliefs. In order to do this it was decided that the people of Japan should follow only one religion.

Those refusing to follow this doctrine were persecuted and many fled to the hills to hide. While hidden they continued to follow their accepted beliefs and were generally left alone. Soon word spread about those who had fled and it was decided that they too should be converted to the new ways.

During this time Doshi and Nishina, being worldly wise, had foreseen this event and had trained the refugees in the fighting system they had created. And so were born the Yamabushi, or mountain warriors.

Many years passed before the Yamabushi became known as Ninja. Because of their total split from society the Ninja families went underground. In order to counter act the constant harassment they endured the Yamabushi/Ninja formed various strategies to defend themselves.

These strategies ranged from spy networks, disguise, self-defence and assassination.

What better way of defending yourself than knowing exactly when the enemy is about to strike? If you know that the enemy is better fed, better trained, better organised and equipped does it not make sense to strike first?

Would you want to meet your enemy on the battlefield knowing you were going to die?

In this instance spy networks, disguise and assassination are all key tools to your survival and ultimate victory. Cut the head off the serpent and it cannot harm you.

After time some warlords saw the advantage of employing the Ninja rather than fighting them. The ninja could be used to assist the warlord with his personal disputes.

Nishina had by now returned to the place of his birth, the Togakure village. To celebrate being “re-born” he took the name of the village as his own.

So was born the Togakure system of Ninjutsu.