On Thursday, March 11th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour will present a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the Japanese martial arts system known as Ninjutsu. This may not seem related to the Western Hermetic Tradition but it seems that Hermetic magicians find it to be the most magical of the oriental combat systems and are attracted to it. Ninjutsu combines techniques of armed and unarmed combat, along with other skills applicable to both paramilitary and magical operations. The Ninja tradition is 800 years old, originating in feudal Japan. Ninjas were originally of the Japanese peasant class defending themselves against the heavily armed and tyrannical samurai warriors. Some of these oriental Robin Hood types evolved from patriots into professional assassins, so there is a dark side to Ninjutsu. There is also a mystical-magical element in their yoga system called "Kuji" which they claim to have received from Tibet via Chinese master teachers early in the feudal period. This system involves an interlaced energy 'grid' of Nine bands or "cuts" called Kuji-kiri. We will discuss Ninja history, training methods, and philosophy -- so tune in and we'll explore the spiritual side of mayhem.