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Ever heard of those incidents when some guy would knock on the dojo door and call out the best student to a fight? Heard of these incidents as late as the 80's. But don't think I've ever heard of this happening in Japan to a Ninja. Would a master of Ninpo take the challenge and, if so, what would have happened? Ask one of your Japanese historians if it ever happened.
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That incident with the Shogun/Daimyo's attacked Iga doesn't count either (even though the Igasians sent them packing the first time). Asking about incidents between individuals only. -
Look below, I double-posted
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It has occured and for the most part, they do the old traditional of saying "No" twice, but on the third they go through with it. Here's a story that's been circulating around the Bujinkan for quite some time. Not quite sure how totally accurate it is, but here's the version I read.
Mark Remke (pic of him at http://www.bujinkanwakodojo.com/pics...up_395x260.jpg, he's the one on the far right) used to be an amateur kickboxer with a winning record as well as some kind of karate (I think it was shotokan, with padded sparring or something similar but I can't remember). He was pretty cocky because he was a skilled fighter, and decided to go around challenging a few martial arts teachers because of some accounts he read of other people doing it. According to the story, the first two turned him down (TKDers, if I remember right), the third was a kung fu guy who fought him and did okay for a little bit, then he heard about Shihan van Donk and challenged him. Shihan said no twice, Mark asked again, and Shihan said only if Mark agreed to remove his belts (karate or kickboxing ones, whichever) and train under Shihan as a white belt. Mark agreed, so they fought. Not quite sure how long it took or who did what, but needless to say Remke was on the ground getting joints twisted around and Shihan won. He's now a godan in the Bujinkan last I heard (5th dan).
O'Sensei Takamatsu was like that on a few occasions as well: say no twice, but on the third accept. Supposedly it gives them time to reconsider. Is the above story true? Parts of it. Not quite sure of the real story, to be honest. But stuff like that does happen. Maybe Hikage knows better than I do about what happened.Comment
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Interesting. I was referring to ancient stories. Guess I don't need to look back as far as I thought. Now that you mention your story, I do remember of couple of "inferences" in recent times. I have read many stories of Samurai challenges, but no Ninja being challenged. Just unclear if challenges were avoided by ancient Ninja or if challenges were accepted.
Read that Wars in Japan usually began by one individual would go to the top of a hill and announce his name, then the name of his clan, then "call out" anyone from the opposing side to meet him in battle. Similar to David and Goliath. Since "Ninja" were mythically described as "cheaters," it was unclear if a Ninja would participate in a public exhibition (especially without pay). Since I don't consider anyone in modern times as "Ninja," (they're all dead now) I don't think these recent stories actually qualify.Comment
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