Real Ninja [Paperback]

Hirohisa Oda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 2002

Without reading this book, you don't have the true story on the ninja!

This book is an exquisite historical account of the various activities of the ninja and their influence on the various political and military events in Japan for over 1500 years. Definitely a must for those interested in the Ninja Arts, Ninja Secret Service, weaponry, and devices. Contents and illustrations are based on rare historical materials written in Japanese.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Real Ninja--an exquisitely informed and thoroughly researched commentary on the actuality of a social phenomenon, essentially a secret service. -- Wladislaw Ellis, M.D.

About the Author

Hirohisa Oda grew up with a love for history and medicine. He grew up in Sakai, a very old historical city, known for its production of knives, swords, and matchlocks. For years he has researched and visited places associated with ninja history, such as Iga Castle and the ninja houses. He is an expert in toxicology, military history, and weaponry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Ninja Pubns (December 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972409513
• ISBN-13: 978-0972409513
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,510,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Historical Account of Ninjutsu., November 25, 2005

By 

Michael Chesbro (Rainier, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real Ninja (Paperback)

"Real Ninja" is a historical account of ninjutsu. The book begins with a discussion of the ninja clans, their employment by the Shogunate, and famous individual ninja such as `Fuuma' and `Tobikatoo'. We also get to read of associated groups such as the `Oniwaban' - Garden Security Samurai, and the `Negoru Group' - the Matchlock Gunner Group.

Dr. Hirohisa Oda then reviews various ninja tools. We learn of the `Rokugu' or the six items always carried by a ninja whenever he stepped out of his house. Of course we read of weapons such as the ninja sword and the shuriken, but careful reading also reveals tips such as employing `metsubushi' (Blinding Powder) by rolling it in a narrow strip of cloth and then snapping that cloth toward the enemy's face to cast the metsubushi into his eyes.

Reading about the `ninja arts' we learn about `yamabiko' (employment of double agents), ninja codes (angoo), and various poisons such as trychnos, balloon fish, and moonlight mushroom.

A brief explanation of the ninja nine signs of concentration is given with photographs showing each hand position.

Next we get a description of ninja houses and the secrets that were built into them, along with a list of still-existing ninja houses in Japan.

Although we tend to see the ninja as spies and assassins in the popular press, Dr, Hirohisa Oda shows us how the ninja were often associated with physicians, and how physicians became ninja.

Finally we see modern day ninja, such as the Nakano School, established in 1938, and used to train the Japanese military in ninjutsu techniques.

The student of ninjutsu should have an understanding of the history of the ninja, and that is just what one gets with `Real Ninja". I recommend this book for any serious student of ninjutsu.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Story about Real Ninja, January 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Ninja (Paperback)

This is an extremely informative book about the real Ninja of history -- as opposed to what we've picked up from the movies. There's plenty of information about the actual history of actual men who were Ninja, about their training and their use as spies, about the tools of their trade (weapons, poisons, disguises, incredible getaways), and about their importance in Japanese military events. Neat drawings, and photos too.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ninjutsu History, August 13, 2006

By 

Bobby L. Burks (Jefferson, GA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Ninja (Paperback)

This book is very informative. It goes into more detail than most of the other publications on the market. As a new student in the bujinkan, I find that the more I understand the history and lineage behind the art, the more intrigued I become. This book, like the art, is riveting.