MARTIAL ARTS : NINJA 3

Ninja : HIDING PLACES

Once the perimeter has been penetrated, one becomes concerned with invisibility inside the camp. There are six basic positions which may be used to conceal your presence.

A position above the enemy is the first of these. As has been mentioned, most people look at the horizon or scan their surroundings at eye level. The Ninja uses this propensity to his advantage. Approaching the point of penetration across the rooftops is fairly safe so long as one keeps low to avoid silhouetting. Further, one can flatten out on the roof and observe the enemy camp.

There is an ancient legend of a Ninja who entered an enemy camp and penetrated the attic of the enemy general. The Ninja drilled a tiny hole in the ceiling of the general's bedroom, lowered a thread through the opening, and dripped poison into the general's mouth as he slept. Attics are also excellent places to eavesdrop. Care must be taken to support one's weight only on the rafters, since many ceilings cannot support a person's weight.

One can also hide below the enemy when wishing to gather intelligence by eavesdropping. Examine dwellings for crawl spaces, air conditioning ducts, or cellars. Enter where you will not be seen and move using the She Pu (Serpent Step) beneath the floor to a spot where the enemy can be overheard. Remember to cover the penetration by replacing any trap doors or grates which may have barred your path. Beware of being trapped above or below the enemy. When fleeing, never run to a position which will enable the enemy to “tree” you (trap you by surrounding the base of the tree) by surrounding your higher position.

Hiding below the enemy is the second method of concealment. When beneath the enemy, remember the tale of the Ninja who was speared through the floor by an alert guard when he noted an excessive amount of mosquito activity over the imprudent Ninja's hidden position.

Hiding beside cover is a third method which may be used. Regardless of the object which you will employ, keep as low as possible. Look around cover to see the enemy. In this way you will be concealed partially by the object's shadow. When high visibility by the enemy makes it necessary to actually be beside an object, select the side on which the deepest shadow lies and conceal yourself within it, assuming the same shape.

Hiding behind cover is the fourth technique. In selecting this approach, bear in mind that you must assume the shape of the object. That is, you must not allow any part of your body to show and reveal your position. Shrubs, hedges, crates, stacked material, and so on, may be used for this purpose. Keep the obstructionbetween yourself and the enemy.

Hiding inside or between objects is another technique of concealment. The trick is to choose places a person is not expected to fit. The Ninja must possess great flexibility and the ability to remain utterly still. This is known as “hiding like a quail.”

Hiding in front of cover is the boldest and most difficult of these concealment methods. To accomplish this, one must select the object of concealment, position himself directly before it, and assume its same shape. Lower the torso and slightly tense the Hara. Look directly ahead without fixing the eyes on any one point. Relax the body.