Hi y'all's,
Concerning Ninjutsu, there are various questions and issues to be regarded.
Concerning Ninjutsu being a "dead" art, if you're referring to Ninjutsu training as it was in the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period), then I'd have to say you're not going to find that caliber of training anymore. Also, if you're referring to studying the arts of stealth, disguise, infiltration, and the like, again, you won't find hardly anybody who will pass those teachings on (except to a handful of trustworthy disciples). Most of the instructors who delve into aspects of stealth nowadays are guys with modern military experience, which needless to say, is a heck of a lot more advanced than old-school Ninjutsu. However, such information is not necessary for most civilians
Now, Ninjutsu teachings, techniques and ideals are not dead. The art has very much become open to the public, and it does not carry the stigma that it bore for centuries past. While it is not as popular as Karate or the mainstream arts, it has managed to gain a sense of respectability in the martial arts community.
There are three main organizations that oversee the teaching and training of the Ninja arts worldwide. The largest is the Bujinkan, overseen by Masaaki Hatsumi, the 34th Soke of Togakure-Ryu Ninjutsu, as well as holding sokeship of 8 other ryuha. Soke Hatsumi received the densho of the various ryuha from the 33rd soke of Togakure-Ryu, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, considered by some to be the last real ninja in Japan. Thus, the arts descended from Takamatsu are referred to as Takamatsu-den. Bujinkan training is very varied, from instructor to instructor, some more structured than others. Some info on the Bujinkan may be found here:
Warrior Information Network
There is also the Genbukan Ninpo Bugei, overseen by Shoto Tanemura Sensei, who is also based in Japan. The Genbukan arts are based off of the Takamatsu-den arts (Tanemura Sensei was formerly Hatsumi Soke's right-hand man, until a disagreement tore them apart and Tanemura Sensei started the Genbukan). The approach of training in the Genbukan is more structured and curricular in nature than the Bujinkan. Check out
Genbukan Ninpo Bugei
The third major, and youngest, of the Takamatsu-den arts, is the Jinenkan, overseen by Fumio Manaka Sensei. Manaka Sensei's emphasis is on developing the basic skills, as taught from the densho scrolls, which will then establish firm foundations for other techniques. Training in the Jinenkan is very traditional (students wear hakama and keikogi). More info is available at the
Jissen Kobudo Jinenkan site
There are also various groups and individuals that claim affiliation with the Koga-Ryu Ninjutsu. The main figure which brought forth the Koga-Ryu into the modern times was Soke Seiko Fujita, the 14th master of Koga-Ryu. He also had influence on other martial artists as well. Although he passed away in the 1960's, several of his students passed on the Koga-Ryu teachings secretly. Some known Koga groups include the Nine Shadows of the Koga Ninja, and the Kogakaiden. In the United States, the key figure promoting Koga-Ryu Ninjutsu was Shihan Ronald Duncan, from NY.
Just some clarification concerning Stephen K. Hayes: he still is in good terms with Soke Hatsumi, and his students can still receive Bujinkan certification through him. However, Shihan Hayes has shifted his attention more towards his art of To Shin Do, which is a refined, modernized approach to the Ninja arts. For more information, check out
Stephen K. Hayes Quest Centers
I hope I have been able to provide adequate documentation concerning Ninjutsu and its availability today. Please feel free to PM or e-mail me with any questions or inquiries you may have. Blessings!