Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master [Paperback]

Glenn Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 1996

Glenn Morris examines the fabulous Togakure Ryu in ninth century Japan and moves to present day applications of the ancient skills the stealthy ninja must apply to living in the modern world. Mr. Morris' fans will not be disappointed with the riches offered here: secrets of balance and alignment; seeing with the minds and eyes of gods and spirits; energy applications of qi for healing, warfare and sexual fulfillment; the care and feeding of Bujin, protective spirits; and cross-cultural comparisons of shamans, saints and masters of Budo and Bugei.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"None of my friends read that much (only for school or when they have to read) but about seven of them went out and bought Path Notes. I was very impressed by the nature of the book. I hope the author isn't just teasing readers telling us he has another book on the way."
-Andrew M. Carroll, Atco, New Jersey

"I consider your book my Bible, or Koran. What I have read has changed my life and really gotten me to think. I'm not the New York Times or Walter Cronkite. I'm a seventeen year old nobody (thank God). But it doesn't take a somebody to appreciate."
-Matt, Las Vegas, Nevada

About the Author

Glenn J. Morris is an eighth dan shidoshi in Togakure Ryu Bujinkan Ninpo, a martial lineage that has existed unbroken since the eleventh century, a six dan black belt in Nihon Karate Jujutsu, and a master instructor of esoteric meditation. He is vice-president of Pacific Biotech International of Houston, Texas, a research and development company, as well as Dean of General Academics in Eurotechnical Research University. Morris mixes fighting tales, philosophy, and general humor and wisdom in all his titles. His books are especially popular with teenagers but, like good comics with a lesson, they can be enjoyed by all ages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books; First edition. edition (March 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883319293
• ISBN-13: 978-1883319298
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ruminations of a Ninjutsu Teacher...., February 12, 2003

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master (Paperback)

Glenn Morris picks up where he left off in his first book, "Path Notes of an American Ninja Master" (1993). This is not an instructional book on ninjutsu per se (no pictures), although it is chok-full of Morris's further journey on the martial arts /ninpo path (Bujinkan style under Masaaki Hatsumi), anecdotes and interpretations of philosophy, both Asian, Occidental, and other. I found it similar in some ways to Robert Smith's book, "Martial Musings". Some of Glenn Morris's most interesting views he presents in Chapter 9, "Characteristics of Shugyosha Across Cultures" (page 169). Shugyosha he defines as a person who is searching for the truth...I have a feeling that this is what Morris is doing with his series of books.

There is also the enjoyably opinionated Chapter 11, "Mud and Water, Purity and Power" where Morris allows his biases against other well known (sometimes questionable) martial artists of our time, to hang out in the wind. Among them Harunaka Hoshino (originally known as Chi Yuan) who created his own ninpo art from Japanese karate and kobudo during the ninja boom, Choi Hong-hi of Taekwon-Do whom he lambasts as having earned only shodan (1st black belt) before his return to Korea from Japan (now, now--nobody promoted Hatsumi sensei to 15th dan), and Genbukan Ninpo's Shoto Tanemora, once a student of Ninja Great Masaaki Hatsumi (and others) whom he dismisses as "...another cop..." with robotic movements (page 244). Some of the criticisms are fair, some are not...Morris doesn't bother to share his sources.

I don't accept Glenn Morris's interpretations and claims concerning the many things supernatural/psychic which pepper his writings--but if I only read things I agreed with, I wouldn't be living! I am, I admit, a cautious skeptic. I find Morris to be overly generous in the way he doles out his faith, often optimistic in accepting theories and studies which have not been scientifically counducted or checked, although even he draws the line at things like Alien abductions (see Chapter 13, pages 312-316). On the other hand, his insights are honest, and personal. In sharing his beliefs, he hides nothing, holds back nothing. Reading between the (esoteric) lines without any adaptation or interpretation, I find much of the advice he offers on this volume to be homespun, and often sensible.

Morris seems a cross between a scholar-warrior and a pseudo-intellectual hippy. This book is entertaining and fun to read. You don't have to share the man's opinions or beliefs to enjoy his adventures. If you enjoy martial arts autobiographies, or reading the personal thoughts of other people, this volume is just the thing.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A hidden book of USEFUL strategies for living., October 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone trying to delve into the myseteries of the self. May be of particular interest to Jungian Psychologists out there due to the discussion of the Shadow and how it manifests in various aspects of the American culture. As always, pay attention to the reccommended readings that Shidoshi Morris mentions. A very jam-packed book of useful strategies.... you might want to take a refresher course on universal symbolism to get the most out of the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars buy it if you're a seeker, August 19, 2007

By 

M. Zaurov - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master (Paperback)

this and path notes are probably the most important and influential books i've read on the esoteric subjects of spirituality, meaning, self-exploration, enlightenment, kundalini, meditation, and the mysteries of life. If you seek you shall find; reading Glenn's books will take you one step closer.