one discipline that has a big following is ninjutsu. based on the ways of the ninja, the traditional stealth fighters of japan. more from nhk world's reporter. >> reporter: cuban martial artists face off at this outdoor event held in april in havana. about 100 enthusiasts have gathered from around the country. cuba has many karate practitioners. kendo sword fighting is enjoying a boom. but there's one group that stands out. ninjas, practitioners of ninjitsu. damar has been a practicing ninja for 20 years. he's vice president of the cuban ninjitsu association. here he shows off the ninjitsu fighting techniques. he foils an attack with the slightest movement. >> translator: our next goal is to get an expert from an established ninja family to come and help us refine our techniques. >> reporter: ninjutsu's popularity in cuba dates back to the time after relations with the u.s. broke down in 1961. hollywood movies could no longer be shown. many cinemas screened japanese action films instead. some cubans were captivated by the ninja's appare