Learning Ninjutsu : On Shin Jutsu (Invisibility)

Ninja should be competent in the use of the SHICHI HO DE, or "seven ways of going". When required to infiltrate an area or camp, the Ninja would most often use the technique of blending in with his surrounding community, so as not to be detected. More than merely disguising himself with a costume, the Ninja would totally impersonate the character he adopted, in speech, manner, and knowledge.
Historically, the seven ancient disguises were the characters of a merchant,
a wandering monk, a mountain warrior, an entertainer, a farmer or farm worker, a travelling priest, and a soldier for hire. For the practice of Ninjuteu today, however, some of the ancient disguises would be incongruous with modern society. Therefore, we have included a current series of SHICHI HO DE as suggested by the present masters of the Togakure Syu Ninja system.
ENTERTAINER This could include actors, singers, musicians, sports figures, reporters, or models. Some obvious considerations would be that sports figures have appropriate physiques, models should have a portfolio, musicians be able to perform, and actors have a resume with pictures.
SCHOLAR This category would include students, writers, artists,
teachers, and could also include radical types. A student or teacher will have a campus or intellectual area with which he is familiar. An artist or writer will he able to create, or at least be able to display someone else's work as his own creation. Radicals will have some core of belief or movement with which to identify.
RELIGIOUS This narrow classification could include priests, rabbis, evangelists, and even some types of social workers. It might be noted that religious personages are often given special respect by society, even by those persons not believing in the particular religion being represented. Obviously, any Ninja posing as a religious figure will have to have knowledge of the religion assumed.
RURAL Under this heading we would place farmers, ranchers, woodsmen, and any personality types identified with a rural or country setting. Farmers will have specific crops or livestock with which they deal. Ranchers should be competent on horseback, and have a knowledge of animals. Woodsmen should be aware of hunting season dates, appropriate caliber weapons for specific game, and should possess suitable gear and equipment. It should be remembered that the smaller the town, the more difficult it will be fitting into the community annonimously.
BUSINESS This is a very broad category which ranges in scope from salesmen and merchants to office workers and secretaries. The basic uniting factor in this classification is business attire and grooming, and it might be noted that 'business" is one of the most easily assumed identities. Business cards and stationery can be printed inexpensively, and basic business skills are easily attainable.

LABORER Another broad classification of identity, this would include construction workers, painters, gardeners, truck drivers, or any other similar occupations of a self-employed nature in which one uses physical skills. Another easily assumed identity, the laborer is often identified simply by paint-spattered clothes, a carpenter's tool belt, or a sun tan and grass clippings on the trousers.
MAINTENANCE This would include repairmen, meter-readers, mechanics, janitors, and merchant police or security guards. The uniting factor
in this category would be some sort of uniform worn, and the assumption of passersby that the Ninja in his assumed identity is "supposed to he there", whether he is taking apart an air conditioning unit or directing traffic.
In utilizing the SHICHI• HO DE, the Ninja should bear in mind several important considerations for success:
APPEARANCE Try to pick an identity in which you appear Co fit readily. Dramatic uses of make-up and disguise are fun to see on television, but could be serious mistakes in reality. Age is important. Do not attempt to assume an identity for which your age is inappropriate. Flair styles are of crucial importance, and are major details. Be sure that the length and combing direction of your hair fit the character assumed. Skin texture and coloring, especially of the hands, should be noted for the identity being adopted. Careful observation of dressing habits and clothing fashions will help the Ninja fit his role also.
KNOWLEDGE Any character role will have a natural area of expertise accompanying it, either in terms of intellectual facts or physical skill. The successful Ninja will select a suitable role in terms of his own background and personality. Some character roles will have a familiarity with certain places or customs as part of their make-up. Therefore it is wise to adopt a background with which you have a natural tie, as details can be deadly to the unsure. Also, the Ninja should have a good working knowledge of his area of operation, in
terms of streets, corridors, gates, forest areas, and public transportation.
LANGUAGE Voice quality and language used must be appropriate for the character being assumed. Accents, dialects, slang, and technical jargon should be observed and studied to avoid misuse. Foreign identities are difficult to assume, due to language differences. However, with a little study of the foreign language and minimal use of conversation in the area of infiltration, a Ninja can successfully deal with foreign activity. On the other side of the language situation, it might involve great risk portraying a foreign person in one's own country without an accurate knowledge of the accent and language of one's purported home. In terms of conversation, the well-trained Ninja will use as few words as possible, realizing that the more he says, the greater the chance of the listener detecting a mistake in details.