Post by Ghost on Oct 11, 2018 7:34:37 GMT 10
The Nine Symbolic Cuts
Several ninja traditions have been preserved in popular culture, but none is so deeply-mystical and misunderstood as Ku-ji meaning “nine symbolic cuts”. Kuji (九字) means nine symbols, and Kiri (切) refers to the cutting motion. The nine symbols are named: rin, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai and zen. Some experts believe this secret system of mudras was developed it China, but others insist it emanated from Vedic India. Others argue it comes from mikkyo (Japanese esoteric Buddhism), while in South Asia it is believed to be of Taoist origin, not Buddhist. Notwithstanding these differing points of view, practice of Kuji is found extensively in Shugendō, the ascetic mountain tradition of Japan, and ryobu Shinto, which is a union of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. Therefore, it is highly likely this is the original source of the secret hand signs.
Several ninja traditions have been preserved in popular culture, but none is so deeply-mystical and misunderstood as Ku-ji meaning “nine symbolic cuts”. Kuji (九字) means nine symbols, and Kiri (切) refers to the cutting motion. The nine symbols are named: rin, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai and zen. Some experts believe this secret system of mudras was developed it China, but others insist it emanated from Vedic India. Others argue it comes from mikkyo (Japanese esoteric Buddhism), while in South Asia it is believed to be of Taoist origin, not Buddhist. Notwithstanding these differing points of view, practice of Kuji is found extensively in Shugendō, the ascetic mountain tradition of Japan, and ryobu Shinto, which is a union of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. Therefore, it is highly likely this is the original source of the secret hand signs.
Ku-ji “nine symbolic cuts”