Joints?

[fromtheshadows]

I just have a quick question.
I was reading a fictitious novel about a boy who ends up in a ninja clan and they decide not to kill him for some reason and they train him to become ninja, yada yada yada. Anyways, the author of this book claims to have based the majority of it on fact taken from other books, some i've read myself. On one subject, the author states that when a baby is born into a family of a ninja clan, its joints are dislodged and continue to be as they grow older so that they can dislocate their joints at any given time, whether to fit in a tight space or to blend in with a shadow. Also stated was the fact that, if the ninja lived long enough, he/she would develop terrible arthritis. My question is simply if this is true. If it is, why would ninja do this to their bodies knowing that as they grew even older, their joints would begin to limit their ability in combat or even their ability to run? I assure you that I don't practice this odd routine, and (regardless of comments) don't plan on it. But, curious as I am, I would like to hear other takes/experiences/knowledge on this subject.

[gfys]

Haha! Somehow, I think the answer is going to be no.

[Tony Dismukes]

My question is simply if this is true.

No, it's not.

[Gene Williams]

I just have a quick question.
I was reading a fictitious novel about a boy who ends up in a ninja clan and they decide not to kill him for some reason and they train him to become ninja, yada yada yada. Anyways, the author of this book claims to have based the majority of it on fact taken from other books, some i've read myself. On one subject, the author states that when a baby is born into a family of a ninja clan, its joints are dislodged and continue to be as they grow older so that they can dislocate their joints at any given time, whether to fit in a tight space or to blend in with a shadow. Also stated was the fact that, if the ninja lived long enough, he/she would develop terrible arthritis. My question is simply if this is true. If it is, why would ninja do this to their bodies knowing that as they grew even older, their joints would begin to limit their ability in combat or even their ability to run? I assure you that I don't practice this odd routine, and (regardless of comments) don't plan on it. But, curious as I am, I would like to hear other takes/experiences/knowledge on this subject.

Why don't you try some Charles Dickens or Joseph Conrad.

[David Craik]

I think the intentional dislocation of joints was mentioned in Andy Adams' book "Ninja: The Invisible Assassins", so that ninja could escape from being tied up.

[comanighttrain]

Ofcouse its true

[Kennin]

AFAIK it's a common urban legend, no matter what Mr. Adams wrote in his book.
Dislocating a baby's joints causes tremendous permanent damage, again AFAIK.

[Musubi Dojo]

Some of my joints were dislocated in jujutsu, can I claim Ninja status now?

[Gene Williams]

A guy I know who takes ninjutsu told me that ninja can, through meditation, de-ossify their bones and become like snails or jellyfish and slither under doors, through cracks, and under rocks. They don't teach you that until you are real advanced, though. It is a secret that most people don't know.

[CEB]

I thought they smoked their joints.

[CEB]

That was a joke.

[Musubi Dojo]

A guy I know who takes ninjutsu told me that ninja can, through meditation, de-ossify their bones and become like snails or jellyfish and slither under doors, through cracks, and under rocks. They don't teach you that until you are real advanced, though. It is a secret that most people don't know.

Are you sure that wasn't Tom Cuise?

[Gene Williams]

Are you sure that wasn't Tom Cuise?

Please, Chris, do not refer to those who are mentally/emotionally disturbed on public forums. It is truly in bad taste...besides, he may send negative chi waves into your life, which will give you the uncontrollable urge to watch constant re-runs of Jerry Maguire for the rest of your life. :D

[Musubi Dojo]

Please, Chris, do not refer to those who are mentally/emotionally disturbed on public forums. It is truly in bad taste...besides, he may send negative chi waves into your life, which will give you the uncontrollable urge to watch constant re-runs of Jerry Maguire for the rest of your life. :D

But hackingon TC is my "rasion de etre" besides it's too late, I feel a disturbance in the chi, I think his pressence hovering over the forum right now.....AAAHHHHHHH!!!!

[Jason Chambers]

Anyway... Paul, I thik the operative word in your post would be fictitious. Take it, along with some of what has been posted here, and consider the source.

[Gordon Nore]

This dislocation of joints reminds me of this...


Castratos were male singers who had been castrated ... to prevent their voices breaking (becoming deeper) as they went through puberty. They had truly beautiful voices which combined the clarity and purity of a boy soprano with the power of the mature male voice...

Castrato singers were very popular in the 18th century, even though castration was illegal. In Italy poor families keen for their sons to make good money in opera, would have their sons castrated. The usual age for castration was between seven and nine years of age. Some surgeons would do the operation but often the village barber was called upon. Because castration was illegal in Italy many excuses were given for the sudden 'accidents' that befell these young boys. Being struck by a wild boar was a frequently used excuse. http://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/guided_tours/opera_tour/18th_century/castratos.php

[Don Roley]

I think this story started with Fujita Seiko. He was known to pull things from other sources into his "ninjutsu" and hanged out with extreme performance artists. I can't find a trace of a mention in it to anything prior to him. So I think the source for this may be with folks like Houdini rather than Iga and Koga.

I asked about this once to the guys doing ninjutsu in Japan. They said hell no to the idea. Any joint able to pop out while you were tied up would probably do so while trying to climb, fight or other activity like that. Since the chances of a ninja getting caught, tied up instead of killed and left alone long enough to take advantage of the trick are so low- it seems strange to take the chance of your joints popping out when you were doing things much more common.