The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art

Even though this book was initially published in 1981 it is still an excellent basic guide to those interested in Ninjutsu. The author was the first American to be accepted as a personal student by Masaaki Hatsumi, who is the thirty-fourth generation master of the Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu system.This 156 page paperback covers a basic introduction to this self-defense art. A short historical review of Ninjutsu as it applies to the past and present day training is explained. Unarmed combat techniques, weapons of the Ninja, stealth techniques and spiritual aspects are reviewed in this volume. Numerous illustrations are also included to show some of the many techniques of this interesting and effective martial art.In conclusion, this is a very good introductory text on the art of Ninjutsu and is an excellent place to start learning about this martial art; however, like any athletic or self-defense system, you should study this book in combination with training under a certified Ninjutsu instructor to truly learn this art.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art Myths)

I read this book about 4 years ago. I had been practicing martial arts for many years but had never really found "the one" that I really connected with. This book started me on my path to studying Ninjutsu.Firstly this book is an interlaced weaving of two stories: The history, techniques and spirtuality of Ninjutsu laced with the personal journey of the author in his quest to learn Ninjutsu.By no means is this book preachy or attempting to tell you that it is the definitive source of Ninjutsu, it uses the personal narrative to describe experiences in the training hall and then backs it up with the "source" information. There is good information here on the "mystic" techniques of the ninja and the reality of those techiques.This book is a preface to the Ninja volumes by the same author. When I first read this book i went on to study Ninjutsu. Now after four years this book still holds valuable information, reminders of things I'd forgotten and rekindles the passion I started my Ninjutsu journey with.

One could easily say:"Once a Ninja ,always a ninja!!!"Stephen K Hayes,the fantastic author was learning the martial arts in the West!!!he wanted something more!he felt there was a psychic dimension he was missing with Sport Karate!!!Sport Karate was good but he was thirsty or rather hungry for something else!something he could only find in Japan!so he hit the road and ended up by an incredible series of coincidences,but were they coincidences,maybe his destiny was to become a Ninja!according to his Mentor:GrandMaster Masaaki Hatsumi,one becomes a Ninja because one has been chosen by fate!However,Stephen K Hayes is probably the man who knows better Ninjutsu in the west!!!he has authored a series of fantastic books which i highly recommend!This book details the art ofthe ninja,from its origins to today!with all practical techniques and illustrations!good book altogether!!!Buy all his books if you're into serious Martial arts!

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT BEGINING OR STARTING POINT FOR ANYONE WHO IS EVEN SLIGHTLY INTRIGUED WITH THE MYSTERIES AND HONEST HISTORY OF THE CLANDESTINE WORLD OF NINJITSU; AND THE NINJA ALONE. EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND;EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE AND TRUTHFUL IN ITS DISCRIPTION OF THIS SHADOWY ART. WRITTEN BY REAL NINJAS;....IT LEAVES THE READER PARTIALLY QUIENCED,....YET THIRSTY FOR MORE;AND THE WRITER HAS A MULTITUDE OF MORE BOOKS WHICH ONE MAY CHOOSE TO EXPLORE!HOWEVER;...IN MY HUMMBLE OPINION-----HONESTLY;BEGIN YOUR SEARCH HERE;.....IT IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY TO BEGIN YOUR QUEST! EVEN A YOUTH OF 13-15 COULD READ THIS CONSISE BOOK WHICH INCLUDES PHOTOS AS WELL.......EXCELLENT BOOK IN EVERYWAY!!!!

I stumbled across this is at Epcot's Japan themed gift shop, of all places. It looked interesting, so I made a mental note and later picked up a used copy. I am glad I did. If you have not read much about Ninjitsu but had an interest, like myself, I would imagine this is a great place to start.The limited pictures in the book demonstrate a rough idea of many of the concepts Hayes tries to communicate to the reader. I suppose it would be silly to spend half a page describing a certain fighting stance and then NOT show a picture, and since this is a not a instruction manual oriented book - the pictures were a nice feature. Hayes Traditional Martial Arts gives him credibility and good footing on which to contrast the very different strategic fighting of the Ninja.I have to say, Hayes lost me a bit when he discussed some of the psuedo-spiritual and philisophical aspects of the Ninja "way". On one hand I suppose that I WANT to buy into the mystique of such individuals able to harness unseen forces for an end goal or being on a higher level of enlightenment, but to a somewhat cynical Western perspective, it is a hard pill to swallow.

When I was younger I first studied this book knowing there is more than what is inside the covers it attracted me to play, then the play became, a way to better entire families.This best part I like about th book is that it left me wanting more information than was written, then when I find something I like I want to do it like a new tool to work with.

Excellent book by an experienced subject matter expert! Nice overview with good pictures. A great addition to my reference library.

If I was a teenager, this would be the perfect book to get me about ninjas. Sadly I am an adult. Also the cover of the book I got was different. Dark green and black picture of Steven wading through water, much cheaper looking. Black and white pictures.

Not anything useful but some bitty nuggets if you can see them.

Habla de la historia y estrategias que seguían, pero nada de cómo peleaban. Si quereis conocer el contexto histórico de los ninja, es una lectura entretenida.

How can a book be ninja? Well quite simple: this small, unassuming, book offers one of the best introductions to unarmed, armed and spiritual fighting. Author Stephen K. Hayes shares his personal training experiences in Japan with the reader. Experiences with sensei of the highest levels and the grandmaster of the ninpo schools himself are all included.

This book is something very special amongst martial arts literature. One of Stephen K. Hayes' first books on ninjutsu, it is mainly written like a travel report, with a lot of humour. He portrays himself as the young, a little bit arrogant westerner, who travelled to Japan to learn real Ninjutsu. Again and again he gets scared or heavily surprised by ninja techniques, which then are explained to him. I know of no other book that describes surprise techniques from the side of the 'victim' that well. Many other highly intersting details and several photos make it an important book on ninjutsu. It ends with some terrific thoughts on philosophy.

excellet quality, arrived on time