To-Shin Do ® Historical Roots

Stephen K. Hayes’ To-Shin Do was born of the historical legacy behind 3 important roots of Japan’s ancient cultural heritage:

To – the sword

From the ninja combat methods of the legendary phantom warriors born of Mt. Togakure and cultivated in the mountains and marshes of Iga comes the core of our physical protection techniques and strategies.

To-Shin Do martial arts practice is a great way to reduce stress and increase strength, endurance, and flexibility, while fostering a sense of peace, security, and control in life.

Shin – the focused spirit of intention

From the rigorous kuji intention-channeling training of the shugenja of Mt. Yoshino comes the essence of our program for the discovery and development of the key qualities that characterize a fully actualized human being.

We can achieve a more focused and disciplined understanding of the cause and effect dynamics that lead to success and fulfillment in life.

Do – the path to mastery

From the originally Himalayan esoteric mikkyo vajrayana mind and spirit sciences of Mt. Hiei comes the technique of cultivating our unlimited physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual potentials.

We can learn skillful ways to transform the inner and outer challenges of life into success, and ultimately come to grips with the question of how to experience directly the significance of life itself.

Nin – Important Symbolism Behind the To-Shin Name

The Japanese written character for nin of ninja can also be pronounced shinobi . It is best translated as “stealth, endurance, perseverance, or putting-up-with”. Nin communicates the kind of inner strength we need to keep our eyes on the grander goal. We know what we need and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. We are not diverted, even when tempted to fight back against the petty affronts and insults tossed in our path from those who fear or envy us.

• The top portion of the Japanese character is toh and means “sword” or “blade edge.” This symbolizes our martial arts technology we study.
• The bottom portion is shin and means “heart”. This symbolizes the resolute spirit needed to prevail over negative forces that attempt to drive us to defeat.

Together as the one character for nin, the To-Shin ideal inspires us with the power of knowledge and intention channeled to produce spirited intelligence in action.

Why the name To-Shin Do and not the original “ninjutsu”?

Ninjutsu is our classical Japanese art, and To-Shin Do is our contemporary evolution, what ninja training in 1500s Japan looks like in 21st Century America. To-Shin Do is a way of training for self-defense and personal development that embodies everything the classical ninja art has to offer, plus a whole collection of modern training methods and insights crucially important for western students today.

How does To-Shin Do compare to classic ninjutsu?

Obviously, fights are different in modern America than they were five hundred years ago in feudal Japan. Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi made it quite clear that it is not the job of Japanese masters to translate classical combat lessons into relevance for cultures outside Japan. That is our job, and Stephen K. Hayes’ genius is his ability to eliminate the need for all the guesswork and translate historical lessons into vibrant modern relevance through his unique ability to teach the classics in ways that allow us to apply the essence of the kata to today’s challenges.

Can I still learn classic Togakure Ryu ninja methods?

Absolutely. An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes designed To-Shin Do to get you going quickly in learning effective useful self-defense, but the underlying principles and tactics of the original ninja combat method are all there, even in your first lessons. As your belt grows darker in color, and you move closer to our inner circle of practitioners, you will possess increasingly more of the classical skills.

How does To-Shin Do relate to An-shu’s ninjutsu teacher?

An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes has said for years, “To-Shin Do is the greatest tribute I can pay to my teacher. Training in the dojo in my teacher’s house in Japan opened my eyes to vast realms of warrior truth that were inaccessible in the American martial arts scene of late 1960s. After immersing myself in training with Masaaki Hatsumi in the 1970s and 1980s, my inspiration was bubbling over. This stuff was incredibly valuable, and I was captivated by the idea of translating the gift of my teacher’s lessons into a form that could serve my own culture and people back in America.”

How many people have earned Black Belt in To-Shin Do?

Hard training students have been earning belts in To-Shin Do ninja martial arts since the mid-1990s. Some students began as White Belt beginners, and others transferred in with previous belts from other ninjutsu ranking systems. For a complete listing of Black Belt holders in An-shu Stephen K. Hayes’ To-Shin Do click here.