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Ninpo Secrets: Philosophy, History and Techniques

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Ninpo Secrets (Hiden Ninpo) is published by the Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation (www.genbukan.org) and provides an excellent overview of Ninpo as it compares to Ninjutsu.

The book is divided into five major sections, each of which provides a great deal of information about the Ninpo way of life:
Part 1 - What Is Ninpo?
Part 2 - Ninpo Philosophy
Part 3 - Ninpo History
Part 4 - Ninpo Techniques
Part 5 - Others (i.e. Glossary, Bibliography, Genealogy of Ninpo)

Shoto Tanemura explains that the enlightened warrior (Shinobi) will not be content with just a way (do). The enlightened warrior's goal is to understand the eternal truth, to live within natural laws, and to fully develop martial techniques. This art should not be called "Nindo" or "Ninjutsu," but instead its spiritually significant name, "Ninpo" should be used.

We read of the `Ninja Spirit' and how it was referred to in ancient texts. In "Bansenshukai" we read: "When entering an enemy camp on a dangerous mission, your heart must be a hard, cold, and sharp as the blade of a sword. If the heart is soft and weak, whenever an enemy confronts you, panic results and the mission fails. If the heart is unstable, the enemy will be able to see this hesitancy easily. This situation will not only cost your life, but will also endanger your leader, or for that matter, your country. A practitioner of Ninpo needs to have the type of heart that when touched can cut, and as with the blade of a sword, it should always be kept free from impurities, sharp, and cold to keep enemies on constant alert."

A very detailed history of Ninpo is offered from the Nara Period, the Heian and Kamakura Periods, through the Warring Period, through the Edo Period the Meiji Period and into modern day. Within this history we see how Ninpo relates to Shugendo, and we are given a brief history of the Iga-Ryu and Koga-Ryu.

The Ninpo Techniques section of this book is heavily illustrated with photographs demonstrating Ninpo Taijutsu as well as weapons techniques such as hanbo-jutsu, biken-jutsu and shuriken-jutsu.

We are also introduced to techniques such as kiai-jutsu (power yelling for breaking an attacker's spirit), jumon and ketsuin (incantation and finger entwining), gofo (talisman) and ho-jutsu (illusion techniques).

Finally we are given a detained glossary and charts showing the genealogy of the Ninpo Martial Arts.

Ninpo Secrets is an essential book for any practitioner of Ninpo or student of ninjutsu. The detail, depth, and accuracy of this book is simply outstanding.

It is in print. You can order the book and others from Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura from his website, www.genbukan.com
Click on the "english version" button, go to "products" up on the top title bar and click, then click on "books". You will find it there along with his other works.

I have been a student of Ninpo since 1985. I have many books on martial arts of many systems and styles. To include dozens of books on Ninjutsu. Ninpo Secrets is the best book on Ninpo/Ninjutsu written in english. It's that simple. It is written from the side of history not personal opinion. The book covers a complete historical background of Ninjutsu from the early beginnings to it's modern legacy. To be a student on Ninjutsu you must understand what ninjutsu is. This complex detailed book will give you a total look into this very rare and somewhat secretive world. It will dismantle all the myths and illusions and bring to light the truth. Any student of Japanese martial arts or spiritual training must have this book. It is a source book that will never age and it will be a companion to your training for life. At one point in time many people died to keep this information hidden, buy it while you can.

In my opinion, this is the best book on ninpo ever.It tells you many techniques,and there is pictures to make it easier to understand.It also tells you the history and philosophy of ninpo.Good job Mr. Tanemura.