Ninja Sorcery .. Magic
KUJI IN & KUJI KIRI
What I am presenting here is by no means a complete account of the Nine Finger
Cuts that gave the Ninja mystical powers, but it will serve the would be Maho
Tsukai (sorceror) as a very useful and provocative primer.
The exact origins of the nine cuts are unknown, but it is believed that they were first introduced to Japan by the Tantric Buddhist Schools of Shingon and Tendai Mikkyo.
It is a common misconception that the techniques of Kuji were the sole domain of the Ninja. This is not true, as even a cursory exploration of the Koryu (traditional feudal arts of the Samurai) will reveal. For instance, the Yagy Shinkage Ryu and the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu both made use of the Kuji In and Kuji Kiri.
Though the techniques of Kuji In and Kuji Kiri are closely tied to one another, they in all actuality serve two very distinct functions. The Kuji In hand positions are used to invoke nine levels of mystic power. They are a method of focusing the mind and activating these powers, each in turn. The Kuji Kiri, however, is a form of practical sorcery, the method of which we will discuss shortly.
When utilizing the Kuji In, you may find the outward technique less important than your inward understanding of the concepts symbolized by each of the "cuts". In the beginning, rely more on what you feel internally, and less on written interpretation.
The Legendary Kuji-In
Kuji-in is the spiritual and mental strength the ninja possessed in the form of
hand signs. These hand signs were believed to be able to channel energy. The
hand signs were taken from the practices of the early Buddhists.
The Kuji-in was used to build confidence and strength in the ninja. It was also
believed to enhance the senses of danger and foresee death for the ninja.
In Kuji-in the thumb represents the source of power (Ku), and the fingers
represent the four elemental manifestations. They are Chi (earth - solids), Sui
(water - liquids), Ka (fire - combustion) and Fu (wind - gases).
There are 81 hand symbols, total, but there are 9 primary ones: Rin,
Kyo, Toh, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, and Zen. Each
symbol invokes different strengths and abilities in a trained ninja. Rin brings
strength to the mind and body; Hei generates psychic power in order to mask
one's presence; Toh enables the ninja to reach a balance between the solid and
liquid states of the body, which leads to a greater harmony with the universe;
Sha is used to heal oneself or another; Kai gives complete control over the
body's functions, enabling one to slow the heart rate, endure extreme heat and
cold, etc. Jin increases the mind's telepathic powers, giving a highly trained
Ninja the ability to read the character of another; Retsu gives telekinetic
powers, enabling a ninja to stun an opponent with a shout or touch. Zai extends
the harmony gained by merging with the universe. Zen brings enlightenment and
understanding. These symbols take an entire lifetime to truly master.
The nine finger "cuts" that give the Ninja their power.
Although believed to be a Ninja secret the Kuji~In was also used by the Samurai. Where it came from no one is sure but it does have similarities to Hindu and Tibetan Mundras. The Kuji~In is more a way of concentrating the mind than weaving magic with ones hands despite many Sensei and Movie companies attempts to prove otherwise.
Below you will find a series of
pictures showing the hand and finger positions for the "popularised" version of
the Ninja Kuji~In. There are several different versions of these finger symbols
that are used by the Ninja and Samurai. I have chosen only to show the basic
form as I believe the secret forms should only be passed on to ones highest
ranked students.
It should be stressed that it is more important to get the mind correct than it
is to have the exact finger positions.
Each cut represents one of the Nine levels of power. I leave it to the student
to decide what is meant by "power" but it has been proven to me time and time
again that as a student progresses so does his level of thinking. I will hint at
this during the description of each cut.
The Nine Levels Are :-
RIN
- STRENGTH of mind and body
KYO - DIRECTION OF
ENERGY
TOH - HARMONY with
the universe
SHA - HEALING of
self and others
KAI - PREMONITION of
danger
JIN - KNOWING THE
THOUGHTS OF OTHERS
RETSU - MASTERY OF
TIME AND SPACE
ZAI - CONTROL of the
elements of nature
ZEN - ENLIGHTENMENT
When you practice
the cuts you may wish to concentrate on one at a time or you may feel able to
string all nine together. It is suggested that once you are comfortable with the
finger positions that you take each cut one at a time and contemplate the
meaning of that particular cut.
The meaning will be different for each student. For instance the meaning of RIN
for one student may mean being very strong and capable of executive decisions
while for another it may be as simple as being physically well and having a
positive attitude.
As usual, I leave it to the reader to decide which is the better explanation.
It is a good idea to use the breathing exercise mentioned on the meditation page when you practice the Kuji~in as without the correct breathing you will not realise your full potential.
RIN
STRENGTH of mind and body
MUDRA: DOKKO IN (VAJRA)
MANTRA: ON BAI SHIRA MAN TO YA SO WA KA
This Kuji
not only focuses physical strength
and intelligence, it also confers physical
well being and attitude.
Middle fingers extended, others interlocked.
(Click Here )
KYO (PYO)
DIRECTION OF ENERGY
MUDRA: DAIKONGO IN
MANTRA: ON I SHA NA YA IN TA RA YA SO WA KA
This at first glance may seem to refer to directing energies into action, but it is also the power to increase one's own inner energy.