Ninja Weapons

This informative martial arts book, Ninja Weapons introduces the exciting and deadly secrets of ninjutsu--the chain and the shuriken. The Masaki school of chain fighting was developed in the feudal society of the early eighteenth century by a swordsman-sentry in Edo (Tokyo) Castle. Feeling that the shedding of blood in such a hallowed place would be disgraceful, he devised the combat use of the weighted chain. Even the name he gave to the art proves the trust he placed in its effectiveness--manrikigusari (chain with the power of ten thousand). The equally devastating art of shuriken, the throwing of metal stars and spikes, evolved shortly after manrikigusari. The easily concealed shuriken soon became known as an extremely effective weapon for both shinobi and samurai warriors. Included are "The Samurai Creed," various techniques, the history of the arts and over 100 black and white photos and illustrations.

"Did ninja really use shuriken, or throwing stars? Did female ninja carry fans made of steel? Find out what's myth and what's history as this title explores the tools and weapons of the ninja"--

To become a ninja master, you need discipline, a silent footstep, and an impressive personal arsenal. Author and toy designer John Austin provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn everyday household and office items into 37 different ninja weapons for the modern era, including: the Crouching Tiger Catapult, Paper Clip Grappling Hook, Origami Boomerang, Magazine Nunchucks, Craft Stick Katana, Pencil Top Eraser Dart, and more! Once you've assembled an armory, the author provides several targets to practice your shooting skills—nested paper cups become a dragon; chopsticks and a paper plate form a tripod bulls-eye, and more. Armed, trained, and shrouded in black, you are now prepared for missions of reconnaissance and sabotage and other grim errands.

Did ninja really use shuriken, or throwing stars? Did female ninja carry fans made of steel? Find out what is myth and what is fact while exploring the tools and weapons of the ninja.

It's all here, from knife fighting skills to wielding the sickle and chain. This is the "official" guide to the combat tools and forbidden secrets of Japan's ninja clans! The author, Charles Daniel, is a yodan in taijutsu. Mr. Daniel is well-known for his articles and books on European and Asian weapons and fighting arts.

This illuminating study of martial arts techniques, philosophies, and lifestyles demystifies one of the most misunderstood figures in Japanese history—the ninja. A landmark collection of shinobi texts featuring 70 illustrations and 100 poems representing some of the oldest ninjutsu writings in the world The shinobi, or ninja, is one of the most widely recognized figures in the world of espionage—and also one of the most misrepresented. What do we really know about the historical shinobi, his tactics, and his role in medieval Japanese society? In The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi, these questions—and many more—are answered. Translated into English for the very first time, this widely sought-after collection of historical documents brings to light the secret practices, techniques, philosophies, and lifestyles of the shinobi. Included are: • the Shinobi Hiden, or “Secret Ninja Tradition”, a documentation of techniques commonly attributed to one of the best-known ninja masters, Hattori Hanzo; • the Koka Ryu Ninjutsu Densho, a small but important work from the Edo period that reveals the realm of ninja magic and spells; • the three shinobi scrolls of the Gunpo Jiyoshu, a manual enthusiastically promoted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun of Japan; • 100 poems written between the 12th and 15th centuries—making them the oldest collection of written ninjutsu information in the world • 70 historical black-and-white illustrations depicting ninja tools and weapons. The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi will enthrall martial artists eager to learn the real skills of the shinobi, as well as anyone interested in this exciting period of Japanese history and espionage.

Warriors of myth and legend, ninja are a fascinating, mysterious presence in our world. Through generations of disinformation and, more recently, their place in popular culture, the origins, tools, and methodology of the ninja have been shrouded in secrecy to alternately terrify or entertain the populace. The weapons of Ninjutsu are unusual and unorthodox. Though they have been popularized by the public's expanding interest in the Ninja arts, they remain poorly understood. Glamorization of this method of defense has led to a publicly perceived disassociation from its origins as a "peasant art." Ninja Tools and Weapons provides a reframing of the skills of Ninjutsu closer to the discipline's lower-class roots. Dr. Michel Farivar clarifies the origins of the weapons as well as supplies indepth insight into the mindset that developed them. As Ninjutsu moves into the modern age, this clarification remains relevant to those interested in the history of the ninja as well as the anatomy and evolution of conflict.