Genichi Mitsuhashi, 45, spent two years studying the history, traditions and fighting techniques of ninjas, the mysterious secret agents of feudal Japan at the country’s Mie University.
“Iga is where Ninja used to live. The climate of this region created the nature of the ninja. ”
Mitsuhashi grows his own rice and vegetables at Iga, where he runs a local inn. He also teaches martial arts and ninjutsu – ninja art – in his own dojo.
Besides history, students learn traditional martial and survival skills, including basic martial arts and how to cross mountain areas while remaining unnoticed.
Ninja studies professor Yuji Yamada said Mitsuhashi is a “devoted student”.
“He literally devotes his life to ninja,” he added.
Mitsuhashi, who wanted to do a doctorate in Ninja studies, said that the course gave him information about the present and the past.
“It is important for modern Japan to live independently for your own survival and well-being,” he said. “The world is not global, but local for each of us. The era of globalization has ended.”
Analyst. Amateur problem solver. Wannabe internet expert. Coffee geek. Tv guru. Award-winning communicator. Food nerd.