Customer Reviews

How To Become A Ninja: Secrets from Ashida Kim's Training Camp

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Bring the sterno, pup tent, bug repellent, guitar and black ski mask, it's NINJA CAMP TIME! Written by an "anonymous individual" with a style eerily similar, nay, virtually identical to that of neo-ninja extraordinaire Radford Davis (who prefers the multicultural nom-de-plume Ashida Kim for Polotikally Korrekt reasons), THIS is a COMPLETE GUIDE to what it is like to dress up in black or camoflague and PRANCE about the woods in an effort to re-enact the deeds of the Ancient Ninja of Old Japan!!

The author mixes in a lot of KUNG FU MYTHOLOGY and generic modern KENPO techniques in for kickz (cheezy pun intended), along with some materials [...], "borrowed" from Stephen K Hayes ninja books. He doesn't seem to know much about the actual history of either Japan or Ninja, BUT if you enjoy seeing GROWN MEN dressed up as ninjas and striking STEALTHY POSES in WIDE OPEN SPACES, ~this~ is the book for you!

Author Radford Davis is one of the FEWER than 600 American MEN who, as teens, managed to find authentic SECRET NINJA teachers here in the United States. Apparently during the late 1970's and '80's HUNDREDS of Ninja from the Koga district of Japan flooded the United States to try out for parts in various ninja films and television programs. Hollywood being as cutthroat as it is (and was then, let me tell you!), most of these Ninja had to go out and take non-ninja jobs while waiting for calls from their AGENTS which, SADLY, never came. Imagine if you will the ninja fast-food worker, the ninja landscaper, the ninja janitor, the ninja waiter. It couldn't have been easy!

Thankfully, a good number of these UNDOCUMENTED NINJA IMMIGRANTS were able to find work as SECRET TEACHERS to teenage boys, who they carefully groomed as their protegees. As with Radford Davis's Secret Teacher, they eventually disappeared when their youthful charge has mastered the elements of ninja-craft. In true ninja fashion, to date NONE of these Secret Teachers have left a TRACE, not a photograph, nore a document...no change of address on file with the post office.

It's secret stuff this ninja business,I tell you! Many of the authentic Koga Ninja techniques are artfully disguised as "modern kenpo", and much of the theory presented here is surprisingly in line with that taught by Stephen K Hayes. This in and of itself screams, "AUTHENTICITY!!". It is not known what became of Radford Davis's teacher.

Only 2 stars because he's EXPOSED the SECRETS of the NINJA, which will undoubtedly impact the market (again) and put a whole lot of Koga Ninja out of work and back behind the counter of venues as vaunted as the McDonald's and The Krusty Krab (move over Spongebob-O!). Who needs a secret teacher after all, when you can learn to be a ninja from a book?

Happy Stealthing! ;)

I have bought a few of Ashidas books in the past. Many of the techniques seemed impossible. Then I went out and bought this book. I can say this book is pure BS! The introduction sets the book up quite nicely along the lines of "My sensei said to me..and FIND OUT WHO THIS KIM REALLY IS!". The Anonymous author of this book tells us he went to Ashida's camp to gather intelligence on the "operation" and that the whole book written is from memory! Did that guy manage to keep a secret diary whilst training? "OH GUYS HANG ON A MINUTE WHILE I JOT THAT STUFF DOWN FOR MY SECRET INFILTRATION LOG" Ha Ha! Ashida is a complete fake - i have no doubt now. I used to think the guy had something worthwhile to say. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

I've read many of the titles by Ashida Kim and have found them all of great interest. However have to say this time "Sorry Ashida" I found this book rather dissapointing the content was rather shallow and not worth the buy.

"How to become a ninja" by "Ashida Kim" should titled: "if use you try this garbage, you'll be humiliated before you're beaten into a coma" by "a charlatan with no martial arts experience outside of Sho Kosugi movies" I don't appreciate other reviewers' trying to pin this fool on Tae Kwon Do. I've been practicing TKD for 7 years, and we pride ourselves on kicking technique....this man isn't qualified to be a yellow belt. I'm convinced the positive reviews of this book must have been submitted by friends and family of Mr. "Kim". PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not buy this book, even as a gag gift. we don't want to encourage any more of this psuedo-martial arts trash. fortunately I was not tricked into purchasing this book, but happened to flip through it in a book store. I pracitice praying mantis, hung gar, and TKD, no ninjitsu, but I tell you, this is not ninjitsu. I've fought people who practice it in tournaments that "Ashida Kim" would get laughed out of. I thought this book was humorous at first, but claiming that this useless tripe is self-defence is down right irresponsible. if you try this bunk in a real fight or a tournament, you'll get hurt, badly. Jean-Claude Van Damme is more qualified to write a ninjitsu book.

Ashida Kim's works are very humurous works and should be regarded only as such. The techniques and philosphies presented in this book as well as Kim's others are not true to that taught by Dr. Hatsumi, the current legtimate grandmaster of the art. If you are seriously intrested in this subject I suggest a book by Dr. Hatsumi or S.K. Hayes. Ninpo ikan.

I don't think that you will become a ninja just reading tihs book

this book was an absolute ripoff. anyone who has this book was definately ripped off. i doubt ashida kim as any experience at all in martial arts. all his books stink and this one does the most.

I do not like to down anybody, especially when they take the time to write a book, but, Ashida Kim's book and many others do not show traditional ninjitsu. An important thing he misses is "safety first." These techniques will only get someone hurt by an attacker. The techniques are filled with "holes". He does have a few good climbing techniques but that is all. Ashida Kim's books are not for anybody who wishes to learn how to defend himself. He has too many steps to his techniques and constantly puts himself in danger of being, shot,stabbed or otherwise. The Ninja of Japan were supposed to be quick and virtually invincible. Oh, one more thing, his "silent walking" techniques are not silent. He lacks well-made Ninjitsu stealth techniques.

This book is interesting fiction with some quasi-military influence. It is, however, as far from a legitimate martial art as it could be. The author is clearly not a ninjutsu practitioner.

a guy in a bath robe running around writing something about different arts tring to consolidate it into one art or make a knew one or something. I have just begun my study of taijutsu and at first i thought oh a good book but he should be writeing fantasy.