Essence of Ninjutsu ASIN: 0809247240 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: The best book to understand Ninpo Comments: Some people may have said that this book was horrible since they expected to see some 'mumbo jumbo' Ninjutsu techniques performed by the Grandmaster. If that's your reason of purchasing this book then you got the wrong book. This is a book that will give you the true 'Essence of Ninjutsu", the indepth understanding of the art instead of the techniques. In this book, Hatsumi Sensei shares some stories of his teacher, Takamatsu sensei and his training experience with him to explain the real 'Budo' of his art. I really appreciate this book that from which I gained deeper understanding about Ninpo and it is one of the best Hatsumi Sensei's books in my collection. If you're looking for the book with Ninjutsu techniques and yo're enough loaded with financial resources, I'd suggest you to go for Hayes' Ninja series (5 books) where you should get most of what you want to know about Ninpo techniques or get the Stick Fighting if you love using hanbo. PS: For another good reading of the similar contents, try the translation book, Ninpo: Wisdom for Life by Masaaki Hatsumi

Ninjutsu: History and Tradition ASIN: 0865680272 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: The Ninjutsu (Ninpo) Bible - Very Informative Comments: Considered as the Ninpo Bible, this book gives a complete general information about Ninpo by the Grandmaster. It covers almost all of the things you need to know anout Ninpo in brief explanation such as the brief history, stances (kamae), striking (dakentaijutsu), body conditioning (junan taiso), Ninja weapons (ningu), female ninja (kunoichi), special training, etc. I'd say it is a must for Ninpo students and is excellent as an introduction for beginners, I really recommend it. (It is the first Ninpo book I bought) Actually I'd also say that all of Hatsumi Sensei's books are worth buying, they will give you the real and true understanding about "What actually Ninpo is" through many different perspectives. My recommendation, try Stephen Hayes's books (esp. 5 series Ninja) for another awesome Ninpo author after Hatsumi Sensei. Other book/authors you might want to try are Andrew Adams's "Ninja: The Invisible Assasins" or Stephen Turnbull's "Ninja : The True Story of Japan's Secret Warrior Cult" (out of print) for the history of the old time Ninja. If you got a chance, get Robert Bussey's book Ninjutsu: Basic Skill and Techniques" which is out of print, you'll see some awesome techniques of Mr Bussey back while he was still in Ninpo.

Iron Body Ninja: The Secrets of Superior Strength ASIN: 080651910X Customer's Rating: 3 Summary: Uncertain... Comments: At first when I read this book I was suprised at depth and number of excercises it had in it, which all seemed valid regardless of whether Ashida Kim is truly Oriental or not. After reading some reviews of this book I began to doubt its credibility, but most of the people raging at Kim didn't seem to have much reason behind their words, and just called him things like a "bath-robe wearing pansy". Since I had purchased some other Kim titles which also seemed credible, I went to [the website] on the internet, and am starting to also doubt the truth behind his words. In his books he preaches a peaceful way of life, but then his site features a "[bad] list" of all the people he would like to sue, maim, etc. When I went to his sight I figured I would find information to back up my belief in him, but I'm starting to have my doubts. Visit the site and see for yourself. Just because I don't agree with him doesn't mean his exercises are bad though, but practice at your discretion. Another thing I don't understand is all these other Ninjitsu trainee reviewers with all this supposed experience behind them. You rave at Kim for encouraging violencein a peaceful art and say how you can beat him up. What happened to controlling your agression? Seriously people, you may have mastered the technique, but the roots of ANY martial arts form run much deeper than just the punches and kicks.

The Mystic Arts of the Ninja ASIN: 0809253437 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: Very well written, alot of great ninjutsu information. Comments: In my opinion this is one of the best books on ninjutsu out there, a must for any AUTHENTIC ninjutsu student. Still I have yet to find a book out there covers every subject in depth. I would like to see something pretty thick that would take me more than two days to read. All that aside this is one of the many great books by Stephen K. Hayes.

Ninjutsu: The Art of the Invisible Warrior ASIN: 0809254786 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: Ninjutsu: The Art of the invisible warrior Comments: This book is a wonderfully helpful guide to some very basic Ninjutsu techniques. It covers mostly basic self-defense, however there are some rather dire moves that you would only use if someone were about to try to kill you. Not sounding too basic now, is it? I loved the Taijutsu section and the historical references. I didn't like the weapons section very much; I think they missed something in refusing to put in the Katana swords and Shuko climbing claws. For these (particularly the Katana) I recommend Mr. Hayes' other book, The Mystic Arts of the Ninja.

Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master ASIN: 1883319293 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Yet another mind-expanding book by Glenn Morris Comments: Glenn Morris furthers the subjects he originally touched on in his book "Path Notes," and also gives even more insights into his experiences with meditation, things that go "bump" in the night (as well as the mind!), and his experiences in the martial arts. His insights are useful in exploring the inner workings of the mind, the body, and the spirit, as well as expanding your knowledge of your OWN martial art, whether it be aikido, kung fu, karate, ninjutsu, or whatever. And, to make matters even better, check out his reading list / bibliography for an even more intense mind screw! :)

Exotic Weapons of the Ninja ASIN: 0806520639 Customer's Rating: 3 Summary: My Review Comments: This book gives general info on the types of weapons used by ninja. However for more in depth info I suggest that you look elswhere. This book is good if you are looking for the types of wepons used and not how to master use of them.

Tiger Scroll Of The Koga Ninja ASIN: 0873643135 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: From a Koga Kunoichi Comments: As a woman who has trained as a Koga ninja, I highly recommend this book. It was referred to me by my jonin, and is a great tool for learning about some of the techniques the Koga ninja used/use. I wish this book was larger, rather than a pretty thin paperback, but the information it does have is very valuable to anyone wanting a starter in learning ninjitsu, or anyone just wanting to learn about the Koga ninja.

Ninja: The Invisible Assassins ASIN: 089750030X Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: A general Ninja overview Comments: What we have here is a general overview of traditional Japanese Ninjutsu, the author has even featured and spoken to Grandmaster Hatsumi. The book has large B/W photos of Ninjas in various posers and off the unique weaponry of their warrior class. The book opens up with two chapters on the origins and history of the ninja, then its onto weaponry and some ingenious tools of the trade.Following chapters include : poisons and curatives, physical and mental training, strategy, espionage, warfare, penetration of enemy strongholds, tricks, escaping and hiding,famous ninjas in history and the modern day ninja. The book is generally quite informative and anybody interested in the art should be encouraged to read this. No specific techniques are shown and as I have said the book is very general in nature. Enjoy the read.

Ninja: Warrior Ways of Enlightenment ASIN: 0897500776 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Hayes does it again! Comments: This is another one to own; in fact, all of Hayes's books are. It contains more information on elemental manifestations in fighting (similar to Volume 1), basic taihenjutsu (breakfalls, tumbling, and body movement), real-life combat situations, weapons defenses, and spiritual ponderings about the Kuji-in. Hayes, it should be noted, is now a Tendai priest; and his section on the "mudra" (ninja's mystic hand symbols) IS authentic. But the information he gives is not to be "practiced," per se; one shouldn't expect to "use" the hand symbols after reading the book. It takes a qualified instructor to obtain that kind of knowledge. "Warrior Ways of Enlightenment" was one of my favorites of the 5 books in Hayes's "Ninja" series. Again, it's one to own--you'll cherish it for the duration of your ninjutsu training.

The Ninja Training Manual: Self-Defense and Fighting Secrets ASIN: 0806517816 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: The Secrets within... Comments: When I first bought this book, I was alittle thrown off cause I was training in a Bujinkan dojo. But I noticed the symble on at the begining of the book was a source for many of the principles and techniques like we practice in the Bujinkan. It's a very good book you just have to learn to look for the more suttle lessons in it.

Modern Day Ninjutsu ASIN: 0918751047 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: Very good technical manual Comments: This is an excellent manual for people who want to see the technical aspect of the art, rather than the mental or spiritual side.

The Secret of the Ninja ASIN: 0606034625 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: I must say it was pretty good Comments: Yeah. I just checked this out at my local library and i must say it was exciting and action packed. I think i remember you vist you friend or the other way around and ninjas try to kidnap u and all that good stuff.

Mind of the Ninja: Exploring the Inner Power ASIN: 0809249510 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: Great read Comments: Excellent book, explains a lot, but a little boring in places. Really explians a lot about what the ninjas of old believed. As a ninjutsu practitioner, I highly recommend this book for anyone.

Ninja (Illustrated History of Martial Arts) ASIN: 0865933650 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: This is a good book. Comments: This is a pretty good book on what the ninja were for. You can use this book for research. Jerry Craven did a good job on this book.

Ninja Realms of Power: Spiritual Roots and Traditions of the Shadow Warrior ASIN: 0809253348 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Ninja Enlightenment Comments: As a student of Stephen K. Hayes, I have always eagerly devoured anything he has written, and this one did not disappoint. This particular book is more about the historical roots and philosophical underpinnings of the higher life-path or life-way of 'Ninpo.' 'Ninjutsu' could be said to refer only to the physical techniques, the punches, kicks, throws, and use of weapons that instantly spring to mind when we hear the word 'martial art.' Then we can also work on our intellectual development through the study of history, languages, chemistry, physics, music; all the arts and sciences. Then we can also work on our spiritual development (see Abe Maslow's "Further Reaches of Human Nature"). This triple approach to our human development, body and mind and spirit, is Ninpo. Shidoshi Hayes, a Grandmaster in his own right, listed in "Who's Who in the World", and an ordained Buddhist priest, explores in this book all of the spiritual traditions that have left their mark on Ninpo, the higher life-path. Shinto, Buddhism, shugendo, and Daoism are the major focus.

Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu - Introduction to the Modern Art of Perseverance ASIN: 0739201433 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: the best Comments: I think it's the best book ever written on a new warrior style but then again it's my opinion and the whole Nindo ryu org. but still it is the best I have read.

Understand? Good. Play!--Words of Consequence ASIN: 0971084955 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Not for casual readers Comments: As the above review says, this isn't a conventional book, but a collection of quotes from Masaaki Hatsumi, Grandmaster of Bujinkan Taijutsu. If you are a casual reader it will be hard to place many of these quote in context, or even understand the terms that are used. However, if you study the martial arts this book is a wonderful companion. It's hard to describe why I enjoy this book, but I have found it to be an invaluble reference tool in training. If you don't train in a Japanese art some of the japanese phrase may throw you, but most of the book should still be understandable. I highly recommend any martial artist to pick this book up and enjoy it. The wisdom contained on these pages will keep you content for many years.

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