‘Last ninja’ demonstrates ancient art

Japan’s ‘Last Ninja’ Jinichi Kawakami gave a thrilling demonstration of ninjitsu techniques at the Berkeley College of Music on Sunday afternoon. 

Kawakami, who was one of the speakers at the TEDx conference on Saturday, was invited to share his skills with some of the island’s
martial artists including well known local instructor Reuben Bean. 

One demonstration that stood out was a student’s use of the Kama ball and chain pictured — a chain with something similar to a sickle on the end of it. As another student attacked him with a sword — or Kama in Japanese — he captured the sword with the chain in lightening speed and wrapped the opponent up so that the sickle was at his neck. One move from the opponent and he would have killed himself. 

He also demonstrated the use of darts, which can be poisoned to kill an opponent. 

However you throw the darts they will turn and point towards the attacker. 

Finally, we were shown various strengthening tips used like walking on the sides of your feet and hitting your forearms together.