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Product Description
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Looking back almost 1,000 years, the mists of Japan's chaotic past shroud the development of a way of life, an ancient struggle waged against fierce feudal lords who ruled the island nation with swords of steel and a code of death before dishonor. The people of the mountainous regions of what is now Iga prefecture wanted to live in peace, but their lords had other plans-so the people learned the martial arts of self-defense and used their meager farm tools as weapons against the samurai blades of their oppressors. Nine traditions of the ninja arts grew out of this seemingly endless struggle, and legends were told of the supernatural abilities of the ninja fighters. The ninja never gained the kind of power that topples tyrants, but they gained a reputation that made tyrants cautious. And they gained the kind of power that makes the spirit endure and the mind the master of its fate. Told in actual stories of past grandmasters and in dojo lectures on techniques-with photographs, drawings, and paintings-the last surviving grandmaster of the ancient art of ninjutsu, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, presents Essence of Ninjutsu: The Nine Traditions. In it, he explains why, after more than 900 years, the art of the shadow warriors continues to inspire and serve practitioners from around the world. Dr. Hatsumi's book contains historic ninja scrolls and describes techniques for self-defense, and it debunks tricks that are attributed to the ninja but actually derive more from the circus than the martial arts. Essence of Ninjutsu is a fascinating, authoritative look at the roots of ninjutsu and how it continues to enrich the lives of its practitioners today. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is a bone doctor, artist, and writer, as well as the 34th grandmaster of the nine schools of the ninja arts in Japan. He has toured the United States in recent years to help Americans better understand the ninja and their way of life. His articles have appeared in all of the major martial arts magazines.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
is an essential introductiion to the spiritual and perhaps more subtle side of the art. Although well presented and relatively lengthy in written content, it is a translation from the Japanese original. I found it must be approached with an open mind. 12 chapters cover various aspects such as the history of the art, ninjutsu in relation to other martial arts, taijutsu, and the spirit of Ninjutsu today as compared with the past. There are many short stories, often hiding clues to the true spirit of the art while they are also a welcome break in the overall structure allowing the reader to reflect more deeply on what they have read. It will be more useful to someone who has started practicing the art first. You should buy this after NInjutsu : History and Tradition.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
More esoteric than instructional this is a 'must read' for any student and worthwhile for all. Read it once a year and get something different out of it every time.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
it is rare to pick up a book which leaves you ready to go back to page 1 start again and be the better for it. well Hatsumi sensei is just that type of author. Althought a must for the budo practitioner it is a worthwhile read for anyone. Its only a pity that the author has not translated all his books into English.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Tales
This Book is great, not a combat skills manual but full of cheeky stories and interesting tales of jutsu and spiritual things. Read more
Published 10 months ago by aussieaussco
Will make you happy in your being
Ninjas are ace! This book is full of wisdom. I will not criticise the writer in any way because he is a Ninja.It is very hard to become a ninja. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Callum
Great, but not for those who have not studied Ninpo
Great book, but if you haven't trained in Ninjutsu, and felt the full force of the techniques, this book isn't for you.
Published 14 months ago by michael d
Interesting
More for people who are interesting in learning the background of ninjutsu rather than learning new techniques.
Published on 6 May 2010 by David
essence of ninjitsu
Very much in the spirit of TAO takes some reading and is very deep but stay with it and you will find a wealth of information and phylosophy whic can bee applied to all aspects of... Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by P. J. De Maziere
Straight to the heart, bypassing the mind
This is a special book indeed. If you're expecting to have the fundamentals of Ninjutsu handed to you on a plate, you will be baffled and disappointed. Read more
Published on 13 April 2010 by Ms. Joanna L. Fairclough
Someone who knows...
There are many supposed books on Ninjutsu and the 'Ninja'. In reality only a few authors are worth bothering with. Read more
Published on 6 May 2003
Now I understand what my instructor is talking about!!
I found this book to be enjoyable and informative. As a student myself I found it to give a marvellous overview of the art as a whole although it does tend to require study rather... Read more
Published on 19 Dec 1999
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