Ninja Secrets of Invisibility [Paperback]

Ashida Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2003

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Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806509201
• ISBN-13: 978-0806509204
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,099,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Brings back memories....not necessarily GOOD ones..., May 8, 2006

By 

SaraJaneSteel "lostsoul79" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ninja Secrets of Invisibility (Paperback)

When I was 12 or so, I remember watching a martial arts film marathon...and though all the feats of strength and skill of different styles were remarkable, I was the most excited and mesmerized by watching ninjas. They stole my very heart. The way they moved, almost as if by magic...their awareness so acute, almost as if they know your next move before YOU do...Then watching scenes of them sharpening thier skills at training camp in a secret mansion in some secret, mist-cloaked mountain...that was it! That was my dream fantasy that I set out to do. Some idea THAT was considering my family was dead-set against the idea of martial arts PERIOD: "You're NOT SUPPOSED to do that, you're a GIRL...Quit trying to do things that are for BOYS! What's wrong with you?? Does this mean you are going to grow up to be a LEZ??" besides, it's not like ninjutsu studios are as easy to find as say, karate. I was so RELIEVED to find THIS very book advertised...the PERFECT first step for me(I THOUGHT)!! I scrimped & saved my sweat-shop allowance and sent away for the book. I tore into it when it finally came, but as I read it, my heart sank. You see, my FIRST red flag about buying this book SHOULD have been, that THIS BOOK was advertised in a PRACTICAL JOKE CATALOG (seriously not kidding).

I can't explain HOW, but I knew in my heart that this was NOT "it" (Not that I was or am an EXPERT). He had no wisdom to impart, no "SECRETS" to share, no solid methods to practice or build upon ....he's just some faceless goon in a ninja costume that teaches you HOW TO TIP-TOE...and some "defense techniques" that are very impractical and unrealistic....and if a naive 12yo girl could sense this, let that be a warning to YOU!!

It appears Mr. "Kim" has gotten his "NINJA TRAINING" by watching the very same martial arts sensationalized fantasy films of the 80's that I watched as a little "kusa"!!!

It left me disheartened and wary about ANY book containing the name "ninja"...but over the years I have come upon ninjutsu books that actually contain knowledge worth learning/sharing.
It's been said before, but the closest you can get, bookwise, to authentic ninjutsu is Hatsumi....even Hayes has some good ideas to share.

I am awed at the reviewers that not only are fans of this poser, but DEFEND him so voraciously!! I don't like him (by him I mean his "teachings") and personally I don't respect him. He embellishes, stretches the truth, or'll just OUTRIGHT LIE about what he knows (or DOESN'T know)...he lets his readers feel like they're let in on some amazing, long-lost, ancient secrets, which would of course get you feeling raring to go try out these "techniques" in real life, but in this case, your LIFE depends on the TRUTH...And listening to Kim's instruction then wanting to go out and try it will surely get you seriously HURT...possibly killed...or get your hind end kicked from here to japan!!

His book ought to be printed with the disclaimer (for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY)

If you truly feel passionate about pursuing authentic ninjUtsu (not ninjItsu like kim likes to call it...let that be further proof of his lack of authenticity) you'll come upon what the FACTS are, the history, what's REAL...on your own...in your own time, in your own way...as I have. Don't rely TOO heavily on the perspective of a book author, because there is a chance thier perspective might be so heavily askew *coughASHIDAKIMcough* that you may be led astray to misinformation, half-truths, even bodily injury. One of a ninja's traits are super KEEN INSTINCTS...I suggest you get in touch with yours before you begin.

If you've ever watched the animated show "King of the Hill" you'll understand what I mean when I say>: Ashida Kim is the Dale Gribble of Ninjutsu!!!

"ShisshhhShisshhhhaaaaah!!!" *LOL*

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just to reiterate..., October 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ninja Secrets of Invisibility (Paperback)

If you are hoping to learn anything real about the 900 year old tradition of ninjutsu, do yourself a favor: Don't read anything by Ashida Kim. Follow the true path - Read Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Grandmaster of the 9 Schools of Ninpo Taijutsu. Other reliable sources include Charles Daniel, Stephen Hayes, & Bud Malmstrom.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars worse than garbage, December 24, 2001

By 

Scott "Scott" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ninja Secrets of Invisibility (Paperback)

Ok, I will get straight to the point and say that you should NOT buy this book. Ashida Kim is not Asian, and his name comes from 2 different countires (Ashida=Japan, Kim=Korea). Now, Stephan Hayes is also not Asian, but has practiced NinjUtsu. Ashida Kim does not even say in his books how he got to be a ninja. He writes this farfetched stories that couldn't even get published in a fictional book.

Save your money. You want NinjUtsu, not NinjItsu, go to Hatsumi or Hayes. Not Kim.