Have you been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the next thread by Celerity? Has Behrens been itching to implement my latest idea? This idea is the main reason I haven’t had any ideas lately…this one took me FOREEEEEEVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEERRRR (more time than my research papers and projects for finals 
). Anyways, what this thread is about is first a translation and thoughts on the current ninja titles. After that, there is a suggested list of replacement titles based on meaning, ninja skill acquisition, and more ‘correct’ Japanese. Finally, this translation has been done to all of the ninja-only skills/spells too. At the end, there is a reference of all the current skills/spells of the ninja class.
The general point being that there are a whole lot of crappy ninja titles right now (as you’ll soon read), and a change to better Japanese (or if you want, simply back into straight English) would make FL more unique and enriched.
A title like: “Master of the Atemi Waza” is a strange mix of both English and Japanese, especially when “master” is used in Japanese (Shinan/Shihan) for later titles.
Please enjoy all of my hard work here! Remember, I don't claim that everything is 100% correct...I tried very hard, but I am no native speaker/scholar of archaic Japanese...
-CURRENT NINJA TITLES AND DEFINITIONS
Format:
Rank Male_Title *** Female_Title
Definition
1 Uke *** Uke
Reception. This title has the meaning of “xx the practice dummy” or “xx the receiver of blows”.
2 Tori *** Tori
Bird. There may be another meaning that I am not aware of/cannot find.
3 White Belt *** White Belt
4 Yellow belt *** Yellow Belt
5 Green Belt *** Green Belt
6 3rd Brown *** 3rd Brown
7 2nd Brown *** 2nd Brown
8 1st Brown *** 1st Brown
9 3rd Black *** 3rd Black
10 2nd Black *** 2nd Black
The belt system wasn’t used in Japanese martial arts until they started to be publicly taught and also for the reason of standardizing martial arts tournaments. Furthermore, the belt system, PAST BLACK BELT, ascends, not descends. 1st Black is a new black belt, and 10th black is a very influential one. I recommend that the belt system be removed, replaced with the Japanese name equivalents, or replaced with my suggestions!
http://www.tracyskarate.com/FAQ'S/orgincoloredbelts.htm
http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm
11 Okuiri *** Okuiri
As told, by that second website above, menkyo (license) is a rank system proving you are skilled (similar to black-belt now). Okuiri was lowest rank of menkyo—meaning basically “secret-society inductee”.
12 Shuto *** Shuto
Primary hand.
13 Uraken *** Uraken
Back fist.
14 Shotei *** Shotei
Heel of the palm.
15 Tateken *** Tateken
Inverse punch.
http://www.oyama-karate.ru/tateken.jpg
16 Seiken *** Seiken
Fist. Are we seeing a pattern here?
17 Ude *** Ude
Arm! Yay..more body parts!
18 Empi *** Empi
Elbow. One source refers to it as “monkey arm”. http://www.stanford.edu/group/jujitsu/Curriculum/glossary.html
19 Josokutei *** Josokotei
Ball of the foot. Should be josokUtei.
20 Kasokutei *** Kasokutei
Heel of the foot….this is getting old.
21 Master of Atemi Waza *** Mistress of Atemi Waza
Striking techniques that are normally used in conjunction with grappling and throwing techniques. Waza means “technique”.
22 Master of Kotegaeshi *** Mistress of Kotegaeshi
Should be kote gaeshi (N + V). A quick kanji reference showed me that this means the wrist returns (home—natural position).
23 Master of Kansetsuwaza *** Mistress of Kansetsuwaza
Joint lock techniques! Should be kansetsu waza (joint-locking techniques)
http://www.ijf.org/corner/qCornerView.php?Page=1&MenuCode=JT&Idx=12
24 Master of Taisabaki *** Mistress of Taisabaki
Should be tai sabaki. This is body footwork I think.
http://www.bama.ua.edu/~usbudo/taisabk1.htm
25 Master of Kyusho *** Mistress of Kyusho
A technique that strikes vital parts (ki points/pressure points). Should be Kyuusho. Used a translator: 急所術 “Vital part technique”
26 Student of Kamae *** Student of Kamae
27 Master of Kamae *** Mistress of Kamae
Stance (position).
www.winjutsu.com/ninjakids/techniques/index.html
28 Master of Ukemi *** Master of Ukemi
Ukemi is the ability to recover from a throw/fall. Interesting article about it on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukemi
29 Mokuroku *** Mokuroku
Mokuroku is the second rank of the traditional menkyo system. It translates roughly as “registered member”.
30 Ogoshi *** Ogoshi
Large hip (throw). Should be o goshi. A Judo throwing technique. http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/ogoshi.htm
31 Ippon Seinage *** Ippon Seinage
One arm shoulder throw. Should be ippon seOi nage. A Judo throwing technique.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/ipponseoi.htm
32 Koshi Garuma *** Koshi Garuma
Typo: koshi gUruma. Hip wheel (throw). More Judo throwing techniques! Yaaaay!
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/koshiguruma.htm
33 Sukuinage *** Sukuinage
Scoop throw. Should be sukui nage. This also is a Judo throwing technique.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/sukuinage.htm
34 Osotogari *** Osotogari
Large outer reaping (throw). Should be o soto gari. This is another Judo throwing technique.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/osotogari.htm
35 Uki Goshi *** Uki Goshi
Floating hip (throw). Another Judo throwing technique.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/ukigoshi.htm
36 Taiotoshi *** Taiotoshi
Body drop (throw). Should be tai otoshi. This website is helpful for these Judo throwing techniques.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/taiotoshi.htm
37 Harai Goshi *** Harai Goshi
Sweeping Hip (throw). More Judo throwing techniques! Yay…
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/haraigoshi.htm
38 Yama Arashi *** Yama Arashi
Mountain Storm (throw). A Judo throwing technique. Interesting title.
http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/yamaarashi.htm
39 Master of Nage Waza *** Mistress of Nage Waza
Throwing techniques. This includes all of the throwing techniques so we don’t need to use all 50 titles to finish this.
http://www.judoinfo.com/gokyo.htm
40 Entrance to Owaza *** Entrance to Owaza
41 Novice of Owaza *** Novice of Owaza
42 Student of Owaza *** Student of Owaza
43 Learned of Owaza *** Learned of Owaza
44 Master of Owaza *** Mistress of Owaza
Large techniques. Should be o waza. These are filler titles as far as I can see.
http://www.auskf.info/main/articles.htm
45 Menkyo *** Menkyo
Menkyo is just a license. This title doesn’t really make sense to me. Bearer of the license maybe.
46 Sensei *** Sensei
Sensei means teacher! Could be further clarified with ninjutsu no sensei. (teacher of ninjutsu). Usually mid-ranked black belts today.
47 Shinan *** Shinan
Supreme instructor. This is given to highly ranked black belts in today’s systems.
48 Shihan *** Shihan
The best example. This is a difficult word to translate. The model teacher is another possibility. Reserved for the highest authorities today.
49 Kaiden *** Kaiden
Highest ranking member of the Menkyo system.
50 Master of the Miyama Ryu *** Mistress of the Miyama Ryu
The school of three mountains. It is a type of “combat jujutsu” out of New York City. This style is not Japanese at all. Disappointing…
http://www.miyamaryu.org/index.html
-NEW TITLE DEFINITIONS:
Format:
Rank Male_Title *** Female_Title
Definition
+++double-checked against (a) native speaker(s) of Japanese.
*completed (for my reference)
*1 Shirouto *** Shirouto
--Amateur; novice.
@Due to the acquisition of many base skills.
*+++2 Ninpou no Deshi *** Ninpou no Deshi
--Student of the ninja arts.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*+++3 Chika Iri no Jukurensha *** Chika Iri no Jukurensha
--Person skilled at close range deception tactics.
@Due to the acquisition of the dirt kick skill.
*4 Kakuremi no Jutsuka *** Kakuremi no Jutsuka
--The practitioner of the ninja art of camouflage.
@Due to the acquisition of the hide skill.
*5 Himitsu Iri no Jukurensha *** Himitsu Iri no Jukurensha
--Person skilled at stealth (sneaky) movement.
@Due to the acquisition of the sneak skill.
*6 Yushi *** Yushi
--Warrior.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*7 Shippoude no Tougyousha *** Shippoude no Tougyousha
--Person skilled at the seven disguises of the ninja.
@Due to the acquisition of the invisibility skill.
*8 Kitoushi *** Kitoushi
--Medicine man; shaman; faith healer; witch doctor.
@Due to the acquisition of the fast healing and cure light skills.
*9 Subayai *** Subayai
--Fast; quick; prompt; nimble; agile.
@Due to the acquisition of the second attack skill.
*10 Kansatsusha *** Kansatsusha
--Observer.
@Due to the acquisition of the detect hidden skill.
*11 Yuukei *** Yuukei
--Vigorous; powerful.
@Due to the acquisition of the enhanced damage skill.
*12 Renshi *** Renshi
--Polished warrior.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*13 Busoukaijo no Meishu *** Busoukaijo no Meishu
--Expert of disarmament.
@Due to the acquisition of the disarm skill.
*14 Kojiakeru no Rourenka *** Kojiakeru no Rourenka
--The veteran of wrenching open; prizing open; picking locks.
@Due to the acquisition of the pick lock skill.
*15 Mokusou no Seitsuu *** Mokusou no Seitsuu
--Knowledgeable person of meditation; silent contemplation.
@Due to the acquisition of the meditation skill.
*16 Intonjutsuka *** Intonjutsuka
--The practitioner of the ninja escaping art.
@Due to the acquisition of the vanish skill.
*17 Kawari Waza no Sensei *** Kawari Waza no Sensei
--Teacher of dodging techniques.
@Due to the acquisition of the dodge skill.
*18 Niwakamekura no Okori *** Niwakamekura no Okori
--Source; origin; cause; beginning; genesis of sudden blindness.
@Due to the acquisition of the blindness dust skill.
*19 Jinpai Yuushikisha *** Jinpai Yuushikisha
--The person knowledgeable of coniosis; type of disease state caused by dust inhalation.
@Due to the acquisition of the poison smoke skill.
*20 Atemi Waza no Riyousha *** Atemi Waza no Riyousha
--The user of pressure point techniques.
@Due to the acquisition of the nerve skill.
*21 Koroshiya *** Koroshiya
--Professional killer; hit man.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*22 Shurikenjutsuka *** Shurikenjutsuka
--The practitioner of the art of ninja throwing knives.
@Due to the acquisition of the throw skill.
*23 Kousakuin *** Kousakuin
--Spy; agent provocateur; covert operative.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*24 Shinobi *** Shinobi
--Term for ninja (also spy).
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*25 Harichiryou Taika *** Harichiryou Taika
--The acupuncture expert.
@Due to the acquisition of the acupuncture skill.
*26 Ninja *** Kunoichi
--Ninja and female ninja.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*27 Genin *** Genin
--Low-ranking ninja.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*28 Boujutsuka *** Boujutsuka
--The practitioner of the art of using a staff.
@Due to the acquisition of the pugil skill.
*29 Younin *** Younin
--Undercover ninja; embedded ninja.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*30 Keri Waza no Shuujuku *** Keri Waza no Shuujuku
--The expert of kicking techniques.
@Due to the acquisition of the double kick skill.
*31 Chuunin *** Chuunin
--Ninja commander.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*32 Kijutsuka *** Kijutsuka
--The practitioner of the 'Energetic Arts' (collective term for Japanese disciplines concerned with the development, strengthening, and refinement of 'Ki').
@Due to the acquisition of the ikuzachi skill.
*33 Yakusatsu no Meijin *** Yakusatsu no Meijin
--The (master) expert of (killing by) poison.
@Due to the acquisition of the envenom skill.
*34 Keiri *** Keiri
--Executioner.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*35 Nage Waza no Tougyousha *** Nage Waza no Tougyousha
--Person skilled at throwing techniques.
@Due to the acquisition of the push skill.
*36 Ninjutsuka *** Ninjutsuka
--The practitioner of Ninjutsu (fighting art of the ninja); ninja skills in secrecy, stealth, and combat techniques.
@Due to the acquisition of the ninjitsu selection.
*37 Okuiri *** Okuiri
--First tier of the menkyo license system.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*38 Kiokuryoku no Jutsuka *** Kiokuryoku no Jutsuka
--The practitioner of the art of memorization.
@Due to the acquisition of the study skill.
*39 Shomokuroku *** Shomokuroku
--Second tier of the menkyo license system.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*+++40 Sogekihi *** Sogekihi
--Sniper; sharpshooter.
@Due to the acquisition of the fired weapons skill.
*41 Gomokuroku *** Gomokuroku
--Third tier of the menkyo license system.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*42 Damashiuchi no Shukan *** Damashiuchi no Shukan
--The master of surprise attack; foul play.
@Due to the acquisition of the assassinate skill.
*43 Kaiden *** Kaiden
--Final tier of the menkyo license system.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*44 Onmitsukoudou no Soushou *** Onmitsukoudou no Soushou
--Master; teacher of covert action (behavior); espionage activities.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*45 Ikusa no Shinan *** Ikusa no Shinan
--Supreme instructor of battle (war). This (Shinan) is given to highly ranked black belts in today’s systems.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*46 Himitsuheiki *** Himitsuheiki
--Secret weapon.
@Filler ranks with no skill acquisitions.
*47 Shunketsu *** Shunketsu
--Hero; Genius.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*48 Jissen no Shihan *** Jissen no Shihan
--The best example in actual combat. This (Shihan) is a difficult word to translate. The model teacher is another possibility. Reserved for the highest authorities.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*49 Saishuuheiki *** Saishuuheiki
--Ultimate weapon.
@Filler rank due to no skill acquisitions.
*50 Keigan Tetsujin *** Keigan Tetsujin
--Sage of the discerning (quick) eye; keen insight.
@Due to the acquisition of the falcon eye skill.
*50 Toorima *** Toorima
--Phantom killer; phantom thief.
@Due to the acquisition of the death kiss skill.
*50 Gihen Jisai *** Gihen Jisai
--Acolyte of deception.
@Due to the acquisition of the doublesheath skill.
*50 Genzou Kimi *** Genzou Hime
--Prince/princess of phantoms; visions; illusions.
@Due to the acquisition of the shadow arts skill.
*+++50 Yakubyou Gami *** Yakubyou Gami
--Angel (deity?) of death (by disease/curse).
@Due to the acquisition of the lotus scourge skill.
*50 Jounin *** Jounin
--Highest-ranking ninja.
@Due to the forfeit of the ninjitsu selection.
*51 Issei no Yuu *** Issei no Yuu
--Greatest hero (mastermind) of the age.
@Due to the acquisition of the hero rank.
-NINJA-ONLY SKILL/SPELL TRANSLATIONS/REPLACEMENTS (+chii):
endure::ryou (endure)*
caltraps::caltrOps::makibishi (caltrops)*+++
Grapple::tsukamiau (to grapple)*+++
vanish::touhi (escape/evasion/flight)*
blindness dust::metsubushi (blindness powder)*+++
poison smoke::dokuen (poison smoke)*+++
strangle::shimeru (strangle)*+++
nerve::kyuusho (vital parts/ki points/pressure points)*
chii::ki (Japanese word for qi) (Chinese: qi, not chii) (FL/Polynesian: mana) (English: spiritual energy/essence)*+++
ikuzachi::ikAzUchi::seishinken (spirit fist—made this one up too! ^-^)
(another typo in FL) has the very general meaning of “thunder”. Since this uses spirit attack damtype, a name change is in order!
decoy::kouji (decoy)*
push::oshi (push)*
ninjitsu::ninjUtsu (typo)*+++
study::misumasu (careful observation)*
assassinate::ansatsu (assassinate)*+++
falcon eye::chouhou (espionage)*
death kiss::eiketsu (forever separation—made this one up)*+++
shadow arts::kage tsuki (hidden thrust)*
lotus scourge::jigoku no dokubatsu (hell’s poison “stuff”..bwahahaha—bah..ok..sounds more scary in Japanese, I promise)*+++
-SKILLS/SPELLS REFERENCE:
Level 1: dagger 40 spear 1
sword 1 hand to hand 1
kick 1 parry 1
scrolls 1 staves 1
recall 100 staff 1
Level 3: dirt kicking n/a
Level 4: hide n/a
Level 5: sneak n/a
Level 7: detect invis n/a invisibility n/a
Level 8: fast healing n/a cure light n/a
Level 9: second attack n/a
Level 10: detect hidden n/a endure n/a
Level 11: enhanced damage n/a
Level 13: disarm n/a
Level 14: pick lock n/a caltraps n/a
Level 15: trip n/a meditation n/a
grapple n/a
Level 16: dual wield n/a vanish n/a
Level 17: dodge n/a haggle n/a
defuse n/a
Level 18: third attack n/a blindness dust n/a
Level 19: lore n/a poison smoke n/a
Level 20: strangle n/a nerve n/a
Level 22: throw n/a edge craft n/a
Level 25: acupuncture n/a chii n/a
Level 28: pugil n/a
Level 30: double kick n/a
Level 32 ikuzachi n/a
Level 33: envenom n/a decoy n/a
Level 35: push n/a
Level 37: ninjitsu [falcon eye; death kiss; doublesheath; shadow arts; lotus scourge]
Level 38: study n/a
Level 40: fired weapons n/a
Level 42: assassinate n/a
TSUNI OWATAaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: (finished at last!)
(sorry, but thats just me).
. Ninja should be changed for samurai and assassinate should be taken away and given to assassin.
. I'm sure you do love your throws, but you have to see that titles currently translate into: