Togakure Ryu Katon no Jutsu

The Art of Fire Evasion (Katon no Jutsu)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for creating and using fire, incendiaries, and explosives. This is strongly tied to Kajutsu. To make black powder, the shinobi would mix the ashes of a paulownia tree with potassium nitrate and sulfur. With this black powder, the ninja could throw it over an enemy and light him on fire. The black powder would also be used to set fire to grasses, bushes, and trees. Inside a structure, the black powder could be thrown into a charcoal hibachi brazer or furnace for a sudden flash of light. The shinobi would use the explosion to escape and hide in castle moats, on rooftops, in trees, or even under the floor. One of the most important factors for dealing with fire was wind, rain, and directions. These things determined the shinobi success or failure when it came to fire. Because of this, the shinobi had to know Tenmon Chimon well. The shinobi could also use such things as fireworks to surprise or draw attention by either lighting them or throwing them into an oven or open brazier.

Fire Attack Method (Hizeme no Ho)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for surrounding and killing an enemy with fire. The shinobi would first prepare an area ahead of time by sprinkling combustible materials in a circle. The flammable materials would be hidden with leaves and natural covering. The shinobi would return to this area if he had been pursued. He could then hide around the outer edge before the enemy entered the area. When the enemy entered, the shinobi would light the combustibles. The fire would surround the enemy and kill him. If the enemy were to escape the ring of fire, the shinobi could easily cut him down. If the shinobi wanted to kill a specific enemy with this technique, then he could set up the ring on a path the enemy was sure to take. This method could also be used to encircle a building and burn it down.

Boiling Water Method (Netto no Ho)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for stopping an enemy by throwing boiling water or oil on them. When camping, the Togakure shinobi would select locations on higher ground for obvious advantages. They would also keep a pot of boiling water or oil at the campsite so that if they were discovered they could throw the boiling liquid on the enemies. Another way the ninja used this principle was to keep pots of water boiling over slow burning fires on a designated escape route so that, when pursued, he could slow the enemy down. Boiling water and oils were also used by the shinobi to defend castle walls.

Smokescreen Disturbance Meathod (Enmakukakuran no Ho)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for creating smoke in order escape and infiltrate. There were many methods for creating smoke for either a smoke screen or for smoke signals, but the simplest was to just douse the fire with water. The shinobi would also create smoke by burning dry grass or by using mixtures of dung and straw that had been prepared ahead of time.

Fire Demon Method (Onibi no Ho)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for creating and using torches. The shinobi also used this to play upon the superstitious beliefs of people at that time. Shinobi would often use places that were seen as haunted for escape routes or places to hide. The shinobi would take the torches and stake them or hang them from trees. When lit at night, the burning stakes would look like floating fireballs or, to the superstitious villagers, fire demons. The torches were also used for many other purposes. To make these torches, the shinobi would soak strips of cloth in oil and wrap them around a piece of bamboo.

Breath-Attack Tool Method (Sokutoki no Ho)

These are methods that the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for using a unique form of sokutoki. The sokutoki was a small box with a mouth piece on one end and the box part was normally filled with blinding powder. However, this sokutoki would be filled with burning charcoal so that when the shinobi blew into one end, it would spray blinding, fiery powder into the enemy's eyes. The shinobi would often wear a demon mask along with this metal sokutoki to create the illusion that he was a demon breathing fiery smoke. The sokutoki is not unique to Togakure Ryu but this metal version that can hold embers might be. Sokutoki were a common tool carried by Edo Period police. Some metal oni masks were even made with a sokutoki built in. During this time, the status of the shinobi had been lowered and many shinobi took jobs as these policing samurai.

 

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