It is a traditional martial arts study that you may never have heard of, but if you have been to see any film that involved any stylised fight scenes, then you would have seen it in action.

It is called NINJUTSU, it has been taught for over 900 years and remarkably there is a class, or Dojo, in Midsomer Norton every week.

The techniques are based on the teachings passed down over centuries and are methods from the fighting arts devolved by the famous Samurai of ancient Japan and the infamous Ninja.

The class belongs to the BUJINKAN, a worldwide association that started in 1970/1971 by the current Grandmaster Dr Masaaki Hatsumi (34th Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu Ninpo) in Japan. The BUJINKAN offers the teachings of nine fighting arts, including seven battlefield Samurai schools (Ryu-in Japanese) and three Ninja schools.

There are literally hundreds of techniques to be learned, including:

Koppojutsu – Bone Attacks

Kosshijutsu – Muscle Attacks

Dakentaijutsu – Striking Methods

Jutijutsu – Grappling Methods

Nage Waza – Throwing Methods

Muto Dori – Unarmed v an armed opponent

Many weapons are also extensively covered including:

Katana – Sword

Shuriken – Throwing Stars & Blades

Tantojutsu – Knife fighting

Bo, Jo & Hanbo – Wooden Stick Fighting

The teacher in Midsomer is Daniel Wood who is 44 and has lived in Radstock for over 15 years.

Daniel said: " I have over 25 years experience in Ninjutsu and I am currently a 4th Dan instructor.My senior instructor (8th Dan) Zayed Curumtally challenged me to start my own Dojo in my local area after years of travelling to north Bristol to train."

Daniel did exactly that, in December 2018.

The class is open to anyone over 12, male or female and is on every Tuesday from 8-9pm.

Daniel said: " Any fitness levels are welcome, my oldest member is 65 years old and a bonus is that the first session is free."

The classes are at The Salvation Army Centre, Stones Cross in Midsomer Norton, BA3 2AJ. For more details contact: 07860 464047