Togakure Ryu Hensojutsu

Hensojutsu refer to methods of disguise which includes two different categories physical disguise and facial disguise (Hensojutsu can be written with different characters to represent physical and facial disguise). The most well known of the physical disguises are the seven disguises (Shihoushutsu). Facial disguise is essentially acting and concealing one's true self. Hensojutsu has a strong connection with Jinton no Jutsu in the Ura Gotonpo of Tonkyojutsu. It should be noted that the purpose of any disguise is to blend in. This is opposed to the well-known image of a ninja dressed all in black, concealing his face and carrying a straight sword. The shinobi's goal was to dress like everyone else, sound like everyone else, and act like everyone else. Because of the necessary skill to accomplish such feats, open infiltration skills (Yoninjutsu) such as disguise (Hensojutsu) were seen as the highest level of ninjutsu. Hidden infiltration Skills (Inninjutsu), such as sneaking into a castle in the dead of night, were to be done as a last resort if yoninjutsu would not work. Hensojutsu shares a strong connection with the six tools of the shinobi (Shinobi no Rokugu) which can be found with ningu and the skills together are referred to as the Rokugu Shihode.

Immitating Language, Customs, and Culture

The shinobi had to be able to believably replicate the manners, dialects, customs, and culture of the region he was in. Therefore, the shinobi would have to fully research and know the area he wished to infiltrate.

Ura Gotonpo Hensojutsu

The following is a list of disguises as it relates the Ura Gotonpo of Togakure Ryu:

1. Daton: Examples can be found in the Shichihode listed above. This would also include a kunoichi disguising herself as a man.
2. Onnaton: This would involve the shinobi disguising himself as a woman. This would also include a kunoichi disguising herself as a geisha, a prostitute, an entertainer, a fortune-teller, a household servant, or a temple girl.
3. Roton: This would involve the shinobi disguising himself as an elderly person.
4. Yoton: This would involve a kunoichi disguising herself as a pregnant woman or a woman carrying an infant.
5. Kiton: This would involve the shinobi disguising himself as an aristocrat, lord, or wealthy individual.
6. Senton: This would involve the shinobi disguising himself as a peasant.

Skills of the Performing Arts (Yugeijutsu)

The shinobi would study many different skills such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, dance, and various instruments. This allowed the shinobi a wide range of disguises and also gave him a well rounded knowledge of the world he lived in. Yugeijutsu was especially important for kunoichi, who would have to know ikebana, chado, dance, and even arts of the geisha.

The Art of Disguise (Hensojutsu)	These are the Seven Disguises (Shichihoshutsu/ Shipoude).
Tsune no Kata	Includes all commoners: townspeople, ronin, farmers, travelers, etc. This is the height of disguise: being able to easily pass as an ordinary, uninteresting person and blend into the background. The best disguise is no disguise, being able to conduct ninjutsu as oneself.
Sarugakushi	This is the first type of traveling entertainer. The Sarugakushi is akin to a comedic actor. They performed comic dialogues using word play (Keigo), comic party dances, short plays, and musical arrangements. Sarugakushi traveled around constantly, allowing a shinobi with this disguise to gather information easily.
Hokashi	This is the second type of traveling entertainer which existed since the Heian Period. The Hokashi is similar to a modern circus performer. They preformed such feats as juggling, acrobatics, and stilt walking. They performed tricks with colored string balls (Temari) and sword juggling (Katana Dama). By distracting the crowds with such feats, groups of shinobi could carry out espionage and gather information easily. It goes without saying that this disguise required a nimble and skilled person. However, this just so happens to be the type of person required to be a shinobi so adapting to this disguise would not be a stretch.
Shukke	The first type of religious disguise: these were people in the process of becoming Buddhist monks, who had left everything behind including family so as not to be bound by materialism. Shukke traveled around visiting temples. Unlike the next disguise, shukke did not take advantage of special rights such as carrying weapons and also avoided feats of strength and exercise. Because shukke had shaved heads, this disguise was used as a last resort. Otherwise, the shinobi would have to shave his head or else wrap it.
Komuso	The second type of religious disguise: these were Zen priests who travelled around and were known for playing the shakuhachi, a type of flute. They wore a hat made of woven reeds resembling a basket called a fuka amigasa that would cover the entire face. Komuso also wore garments with long sleeves that covered their hands and leggings. The advantage to this disguise was that the komuso were exempt from local laws and allowed to carry a katana openly. The komuso disguise was best for an urban setting. Facial disguise for the komuso would include learning the shakuhachi as well as rituals, customs, and the particular greeting style of the komuso.
Yamabushi	The third type of religious disguise: these were men (usually older men), who had decided to live apart from society for religious and ascetic purposes. They were often trained in samurai arts and were seen as a great source for military advise and strategy. Yamabushi often shaved their head or else kept it in a messy top-knot. Furthermore, Yamabushi could have all sorts of mannerisms that would not seem out of place so it would not seem unnatural if one were caught exercising. The Yamabushi disguise was best for open forests and mountainous areas.
Shonin	Included all merchants and shopkeepers. The shinobi could use this disguise to enter other territories in the guise of doing business.

 

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