The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art - Softcover

Hayes, Stephen K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 4805314303 ISBN 13: 9784805314302

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, 2017

Synopsis

Look past the legends and learn about the REAL ninjas of feudal Japan with this entertaining, illustrated ninjutsu guide.

Ninjutsu, the least understood of the Japanese martial arts, is an ancient fighting style emphasizing natural movement, responsiveness to adversaries, and absolute practicality. In feudal Japan, ninja were feared for their skill in espionage and, particularly, assassination. Masters of weaponry, stealth, and martial techniques, ninja were credited with supernatural powers because of the near-invincibility of their unique and deadly art.

In The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art, Black Belt Hall of Fame member, Stephen K. Hayes, reveals the secrets that lead to the perception of the ninja as warriors of almost sorcerous skill—the art of invisibility, special tools and weapons, and psychological training enabling the ninja to gain advantage in any situation.

Chapters include:

• Perspective—Origin; Organization; Training; At the Height of Power; The Decline; Ninjutsu in the Modern World
• Search for the Ninja
• Unarmed Combat—The Ninja Fists; Fighting Postures; Other Factors
• Weaponry—Chains and Cords; Sticks and Staffs; Canes with Concealed Weapons; The Ninja Sword; Throwing Blades
• The Way of Invisibility—Sense Deception; Phantom Steps; Reconnaissance; Blending with the Night; Attacking the Eyes; The Art of Disguise
• Shadow Warriors—Espionage; Commando Tactics
• The Realm of the Spirit—Psychological Warfare; The Force of the Killer; The Great Harmony

About this title

About the Author:

Stephen K. Hayes was the first American to be accepted as a personal student by Masaaki Hatsumi, the thirty-fourth master of the Togakure-ryu ninjutsu tradition. A member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the founder of To-Shin Do, a mind and body self-protection system, he lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Review:

"Those trained in the art of ninjutsu are said to be able to run up trees, to cling to the ceiling and to be able to snatch a sword from the hand of a samurai as he attacks. These are not myths; they have a basis in fact, and Hayes has researched their origin." —Black Belt Magazine

"Stephen K. Hayes [is] the acknowledged 'Father of American Ninjutsu." —Inside Kung Fu

"This book is very interesting and an easy read for anyone wanting to learn a little about the art of Ninjutsu and the ninja way itself. It comes from a story of modern events, and Stephen Hayes does an excellent job as the middleman, acting as the voice of reason stepping into a world of vastly different thinking and rationalizing it for us. I highly recommend this book if you have any interest or intrigue into Ninjas." —Martial Arts & Action Movies blog

About this edition

• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 4805314303
• ISBN 13: 9784805314302
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160