During the year 2008 we will study Ninpô mixed with the other Bujinkan styles. So far, Hatsumi Sensei is using the 9 forms of the Santo Tonko Tonso no Kata to teach the new feeling.
The first classes of January included extensive use of traditional Ninja weapons: Shaken, Shuko, Ninjatô with Saya and Sageo, Nawa (rope), Kyoketsu Shoge.
As usual all these weapons should be padded. Here is a quick and easy way to realize Shuko and Shaken by yourself.
How to make a set of Shaken
Step 1: Go to your closest bar and order a beer. The barman will give you a glass with a cardboard support. Take it. You can also ask the bartender to give you a pack of them as they are free and given to them by the brewers.
Step 2: Make a hole in the center.
Step 3: Cover both sides with duct tape.
Step 4: Make a mark on one side to find them easily...
Step 5: Repeat steps 2 to 4 and make 9 of them.
How to make a pair of padded Shuko
Step 1: Get a piece of cardboard, some scissors or cutter, a marker, duct tape. The cardboard can be of any kind, it is only a support doe the duct tape.
Step 2: Cut two pieces of cardboard as shown, so that the cardboard is envelopping your hand. If the piece of cardboard is too small, it does not matter as you are using duct tape to adjust it to the perfect size.
Step 3: Fold the cardboard to the size of your hand. The good size is the distance between the base of your forefinger and your thumb.
Step 4: Draw 3 triangles to do the claws (If you want you can make them with duct tape only and stick them to the cardboard).
Step 5: Cut the cardboard and insert the claws into it. Position them right in te middle of the cardboard.
Step 6: Cover the claws and both sides with a lot of duct tape. The duct tape allows you to get to the good size for your hands.
Step 7: Adjust the Shuko to the size of your hand with duct tape.
Step 8: Repeat steps 2 to 5 for the second Shuko.
