Luke Crocker

Seishin

CMARA

Seishin (Correct Sincerity)

By Luke Crocker

It is no easy task to interpret the meaning of the kanji for

shinobi or nin ()1, best known as the first character for
the term ninja (), the spies, saboteurs, and assassins
of ancient Japan. It appears that the kanji is largely
defined by the person reading it, and is directly
proportionate to the depth of his or her practice. The
character acts as a sort of placeholder for many things,
and for some, this subject boarders on religious.
According to Dr. Kacem Zoughari, a renowned researcher
and Japanese linguist, who has dedicated a tremendous
amount of research to the subject of the shinobi, explains
the kanji shinobi as follows.
In a great number of cases, the ideogram translates into the concept of patience,
endurance and perseverance, sometimes even the idea of resignation, a kind of
patience in the face of all tests. By breaking up the ideogram nin, one finds two
other ideograms: the heart, feelings, or spirit (),2 and the edge of the blade ().
One can interpret the ideogram nin in several ways. Indeed, the meaning
depicts the state of mind of one who suffers, endures misfortune, and must moreover
hide, to hide ones pain. In other words, to hone ones thoughts and ego like the edge
of the sword, to be constantly vigilant, forming ones heart to endure. Such is one of
the many meanings of the word shinobu (). (Zoughari 146)
Although seeming a little vague to those uninitiated to the practice, Dr. Zoughari makes it quite
apparent that the subject is neither simple nor objective. A profound level of introspection and
reflection is necessary to he who wishes to define the character of nin, and still than it can at best be
subjective to the practitioner, as this is how it may be best applied.
Fujibayashi Yasutake, in his compilation of ninja lore the Bansenshukai () from 1676, wrote the
entry Seishin (), commonly translated as correct heart, though it may well be more accurate to
interpret it as founding true sincerity. He explains that:
The essence of nin is true sincerity. The elements of nin are the covert, information
gathering, disguise, and surveillance. Without first having true sincerity, it is
impossible to take advantage of strategy.
[. . .] this character carries a deep meaning, and without its realization, it is
impossible to enter its [shinobi] path. Therefore it is essential to investigate the
meaning of nin. The character made up of blade () over heart () is used because

Luke Crocker

Seishin

CMARA

it encapsulates the essence of valor. A person who is to commit to this science must
first achieve a sense of valor. If a person is ignorant as to how to commit his heart, he
will fail. If one is to commit their heart and mind to their path, they must exceed
simple enthusiasm. In the pursuit of valor, one must have a sense of obligation.
Without a feeling of obligation, than it is not true valor. Enthusiasm is only temporary
like a burst of anger to assert power. When the anger recedes, so will your power
because it is not deep.
Even if you have natural strength, your valor may only be effective on impulse,
and when you are down there will be a feeling of resentment towards those who
exceed you. This is not how to properly conduct a clear evaluation, nor how to
prepare for conflict. And in the end, you will only be concerned for yourself and fail in
your mission. (Fujibayashi Volume 2)
Thus an oversimplified way of interpreting shinobi would be the English term valor. And valor may be
interpreted as strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a parson to encounter
danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity. (Wiktionary "Valor") A definition
which fits perfectly with the definition and interpretation of Yamaguchi Masayuki, still another
researcher who had written of the ninja:
The character nin of ninjutsu, is read shinobu or shinobi. To apply one thoughts and
ego to the edge of a sword; to be constantly vigilant of ones self and ones
surroundings and to have courage with endurance . . . such is the intention of the
sword shinobu. (Yamaguchi 139)
Thus, we can, by these sources and opinions, present the notion that the term shinobi or nin refers to a
particular flavor of valor; that s to endure firmly in the face of danger, or to live as though every action
and process is a matter of life and death, while hiding this perspective. Indeed a life of disguising the
extraordinary in the shadows while outwardly appearing perfectly normal.

Works Cited
Fujibayashi, Yasutake. Bansenshkai . Trans. Luke Crocker. 1676. Collection of Volumes.
Ron, Roy. Bansenshkai Volume 2. Ed. Luke Crocker. 1999. Website. 28 Auguest 2013.
<http://www.ninpo.org/historicalrecords/bansenshukaivolume2.html>.
Wiktionary. 27 April 2013. <http://en.wiktionary.org>.
Yamaguchi, Masayuki. Ninja no Seikatsu . Tokyo: Ozan Kyakan, 1962. Book.
Zoughari, Kacem. Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan. 1st edition. North Clarendon: Tuttle
Publishing, 2010. Book.

Luke Crocker

Seishin

CMARA

While the Chinese used terminology that expressed plain understanding of espionage, the Japanese chose a
character whose compounded ideograms represent a certain ideology. The Japanese reading (kunyomi) of the
character nin is shinobi. The term itself had been in use since before the Heian period (794-1185) but was written
with three characters (). (Ron)The first ideogram may be read as kokorozashi and means, to aspire to
something, to have intention, to aim to do something. The second ideogram is pronounced no, and means
the talent or skill. Finally, the third ideogram has several pronunciations bin, ben, bi, and means, chance,
occasion, or mail. By associating these three ideograms one finds the significant representations of the skill of
the ninja, one who has the talent or skills to achieve their goal through information, or one who has the talent
or skills to carry out their goals by seizing the right time. (Zoughari 142)
2
This ideogram indicates the functions of the spirit, sentimental and intellectual. This concept is used in many
cases in opposition to the body and the object.