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**Fitz** · 9/19/2008 2:45pm,

GM Ronald Duncan - Father of American Ninjitsu - No BS Martial Arts

He's come up a few other times as well and was a regular topic on E-Budo if you're interested.

As far as the arts related to your background Duncan is not nor has ever claimed to be Takamatsuden. He makes no claims on Togakure-ryu or any of the other associated arts.

**kotbegemot** · 9/19/2008 4:00pm,

I seem to recall that he actually did train with Donn Draeger. I'm not really prepared to comment on the stuff he is doing nowadays

**OniSan81** · 9/19/2008 4:32pm,

Thanks guys, I'll maybe check out what E-Budo has on him.

**Gezere** · 9/19/2008 4:58pm,

Ron Duncan has been around A LONG TIME and most MArtist born either before the 80s or at the begining of it probably came across him a few times.

From what I recall, not 100% sure, is that Ron started off as a Jujutsu student then became Aikijutsu then Ninjutsu, which looked like his "Akijutsu" but done in black.

I remember first reading about him and that he caught arrows fired at him, which I'm told help inspire the opening seen to The Last Dragon, it was fascinating until I actually saw the video years later. Wasn't as impressive as I thought.

Now don't get me wrong, Ron is good at his craft but that craft isn't what he claims it to be.

**Dsimon3387** · 9/19/2008 5:58pm,

Originally posted by OniSan81

Has anyone ever heard of this Ronald Duncan? I started spotting him and his crew on Youtube. They have a school called Ways of the Winds.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SuubUrbanNinja

It's strange. Obviously not one of the main 3 orgs of Ninpo, but it has this weird Islam, pro black, slant, or so it seems. All guys are highly ranked in their org, all 7. 8. 9 degree black belts. Nothing what one would see as "Ninpo" technique. Just seems like a mix of styles, with teachers named like Shaabaz, and all sorts of other interesting names. Has a very cult like feel to it.

SuubUrbanNinja tells me that his teacher has all these accolades, apparently trained with Don Draeger etc. I don't know, the whole thing weirds me out. None of the guys can tell me who their teacher is.

Anyone have any information on them? I know we can debate Ninpo and its validity as a historical martial art period, I'm with the Genbukan, but I want to avoid that. Who is this Ronald Duncan, I can't seem to get a straight answer anywhere.

My main teacher is one of Duncan's main students. There is a lot to be said so I will start with brevity and they you can ask about what interests you.

1) Duncan is an enigma but this much is certain. He is not transparant about his lineage and it is not verifiable.

2) Most of his videos are horrible.

3) Watching him.... I would not assume he is very good.... now having said ALL the above, bear with me.

4) He obviousy is very good because when you work with the stuff that has been handed down it is awesomw

5) His students, in video, print and in the dojo... are pretty much without exception very good. They can virtually all kick ass and do it well. I do not know about James Loriega, but Duncan's guys that I have trained with can fight.

6) My teacher is.... well he is my teacher. His blade work hand to hand stuff, sword work is exceptional.

The thing with Duncan is that you have to accept this divide, this difference between his absurdities and his results... they are a big question mark, but in the final analysis judged by the skills that are actuially transmitted by his students and by his students... he is a remarkable martial artist.

I have been in the martial arts now for almost 30 years and played around in some choice areas (like Philly where a lot of Duncans students are) and heed this statement: Walking through the choice parts of Philly or New York? Give me a student of Duncan's any time! Especially considering weapons and how they are part of the equation.

**Dsimon3387** · 9/19/2008 6:03pm,

Originally posted by Gezere

Ron Duncan has been around A LONG TIME and most MArtist born either before the 80s or at the begining of it probably came across him a few times.

From what I recall, not 100% sure, is that Ron started off as a Jujutsu student then became Aikijutsu then Ninjutsu, which looked like his "Akijutsu" but done in black.

I remember first reading about him and that he caught arrows fired at him, which I'm told help inspire the opening seen to The Last Dragon, it was fascinating until I actually saw the video years later. Wasn't as impressive as I thought.

Now don't get me wrong, Ron is good at his craft but that craft isn't what he claims it to be.

WHY the man puts out any videos is beyond me. His knife videos at least show his speed and agility.... but his videos represent him in the worse possible light!!! His students look great on film BTW.... Shit it reminds me of when I was the president of the martial arts club in college.... My students all took first place in their divisions for fighting.... my brown belt won the whole tournament (beat the black belt winner) me? I was disqualified!!! thats Duncan in a nutshell. His students are awesome so he is doing something well, but his videis should be disqualified.

**Dsimon3387** · 9/19/2008 6:06pm,

Originally posted by kotbegemot

I seem to recall that he actually did train with Donn Draeger. I'm not really prepared to comment on the stuff he is doing nowadays

Probably but alas not verifiable. He also trained in Haka Ryu with a teacher who was later disqualified from the line.

Heres the thing: Duncan trained in something... or he is twice the creative genius that Takumatsu gets accused of being haha!! But what exactly is the question.

Here is a true story for you. Duncan was going to reveal his lineage to a friend of mine doing an interview.... well my friend just happended to piss him off (AHEM!!!!!!) and get kicked out by his sons before Duncan could (ahem!!!) reveal this lineage!

**new2bjj** · 9/19/2008 9:25pm,

I remember Duncan from the old Official Karate Magazine (1970's), which focused mainly on east coast Martial Artists. I thought he studied Vee Jitsu and used to do a lot of demos at Aaron Banks old circus like tournaments/shows. I think the Ninjitsu thing just sort of "happened".

He seemed to be as good as most of those guys were back then, but it's pretty dated stuff- there was very little "aliveness" back then.

**NoTeefa** · 9/20/2008 6:47am,

cp · 9/22/2008 8:50am,

Originally posted by Gezere

I remember first reading about him and that he caught arrows fired at him, which I'm told help inspire the opening seen to The Last Dragon, it was fascinating until I actually saw the video years later. Wasn't as impressive as I thought.

I've heard about the arrow-catching bit, also.

So did he actually do it in the video you mentioned?

**Fitz** · 9/22/2008 8:51am,

YouTube - Professor Ronald Duncan Arrow Catching

**Fitz** · 9/22/2008 9:03am,

Some amazing verbal distractions on the topic of Ninjutsu in this one...

YouTube - Master Ronald Duncan Ninjitsu Expert 1989 Part 2

**Gezere** · 9/22/2008 12:46pm,

Originally posted by cp

I've heard about the arrow-catching bit, also.

So did he actually do it in the video you mentioned?

Technically, Yes.
BUT, as you can see in the video below, You don't see the person release the arrow and it wasn't fired at him. Also it seems the arrow was traveling rather slow.

**Fitz** · 9/22/2008 1:31pm,

It looks like the footage was slowed to make things clearer. Unfrotunately except for the first incident we never see things at actual speed to tell just how much things were slowed down.

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Ronald Duncan Ninjitsu

Ronald Duncan Ninjitsu

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