Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja: The 17th-Century Manual on the Art of Concealment [Hardcover]

Master Natori Masazumi (Author), Axel Mazuer (Commentary)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2010

The classic text on the mystical traditions of the ninja now decoded in English

• The path of the ninja as an authentic spiritual discipline

• Details the art of concealment and espionage, including methods of disguise, survival techniques, and face reading

• A ninja response to the Samurai Bushido and the way to mind-body harmony

Experts in disguise, infiltration, espionage, and counterintelligence, the ninja had spiritual values and magical traditions that distinguished them from the soldierlike samurai. Their art of ninjutsu, invisible as well as indispensable, was transmitted in secret schools and relied on only a few books, which were written in code.

The Shoninki, one of the most important of these coded manuals, was written in 1681 by Master Ninja Natori Masazumi. Presenting all facets of the art of concealment, espionage, and physical prowess, including methods of disguise and survival techniques, this source text also contains teachings on spiritual meditations, psychic powers, the art of face reading, controlling the emotions, and magic spells. Revealing the connection between the ninja and the yamabushi--warrior monks who were endowed with supernatural powers--this classic text confirms the path of the ninja as an authentic spiritual discipline, one of self-realization and detachment and the way to mind-body harmony.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

MARTIAL ARTS / SPIRITUALITY

Shoninki
The Secret Teachings of the Ninja

Experts in disguise, infiltration, espionage, and counterintelligence, the ninja had spiritual values and magical traditions that distinguished them from the soldierlike samurai. Their art of ninjutsu, invisible as well as indispensable, was transmitted in secret schools and relied on only a few books, which were written in code.

The Shoninki, one of the most important of these coded manuals, was written in 1681 by Master Ninja Natori Masazumi. Presenting all facets of the art of concealment, espionage, and physical prowess, including methods of disguise and survival techniques, this source text also contains teachings on spiritual meditations, psychic powers, the art of face reading, controlling the emotions, and magic spells. Revealing the connection between the ninja and the yamabushi--warrior monks who were endowed with supernatural powers--this classic text confirms the path of the ninja as an authentic spiritual discipline, one of self-realization and detachment and the way to mind-body harmony.

MASTER NINJA NATORI MASAZUMI directed the Kishu School of one of the most important ninja clans of the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868).

AXEL MAZUER is an archivist and librarian specializing in the paranormal. The coauthor of Les portes de Shamballah, he lives in France

About the Author

Master Ninja Natori Masazumi directed the Kishu School of one of the most important ninja clans of the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868). Axel Mazuer is an archivist and librarian specializing in the paranormal. The coauthor of Les portes de Shamballah, he lives in France.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (August 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594773432
• ISBN-13: 978-1594773433
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most significant books of the historical ninja, January 2, 2011

By 

Crazy Appalachian Ninja - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja: The 17th-Century Manual on the Art of Concealment (Hardcover)

I'll give my background to clarify things, then I'll give my review.

I'm a 6th kyu in the Divine Warrior House (Bujinkan) led by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, and have a great enthusiasm of historical ninjutsu. I have researched and studied the history of our art to great lengths.

This manual, the Shoninki, is one of the most important books of ninjutsu to ever have been written. It was written in the 17th century by a master Natori Masazumi, a teacher of the now-extinct Kishu-ryu ninjutsu. The book's forward was written by Bujinkan shihan Bernard Bordas, a respected martial artist. He talks of how the Shoninki's importance can be compared to the Banseshukai, the Ninpo Hikan, or the Nipiden. In feudal Japan, the Shoninki was even seen as a sort of recognition point for ninja. I.E., if you could show the other person you had a copy of the Shoninki, you could prove you had learned ninjutsu. This book was kept secret for centuries, so we need to take into account how lucky we are that we can now read this book in English. We need to respect the techniques in this book, for they were once a dear secret to our diceased bushi.

The techniques covered in this book aren't any magical things, only small tips of stealth walking, hiding, espionage, strategy, and psychology. The book doesn't go into a great load of detail, the reason being it was more of a reference book for the field for ninja who had been formally trained in the art.

This book is essential for anyone's library who has an interest in ninjutsu or who practices it in their lifestyle. It has a good cultural context as well that is educational on the history of Japan, so even someone who just likes studying about feudal Japan should get this book.

Gambatte.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shoninki, January 5, 2011

By 

Sword2Soul - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja: The 17th-Century Manual on the Art of Concealment (Hardcover)

Really liked this book. Was expecting a bit more on techniques and training but was still impressed nontheless. Focuses very heavily on information gathering and the ninja's role as spy. Nice to read something historically grounded in the practices and outlook of the shinobi. Definetly worth the read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One of the Big Three Ninja Texts, May 5, 2011

By 

Freak of Nurture (Oz) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja: The 17th-Century Manual on the Art of Concealment (Hardcover)

The Shoninki is considered of the three know major historical works on Ninjutsu. Originally intended to go along with oral transmission of various techniques, it doesn't go into specific detail about these techniques. Strategy and tactical considerations are, however, covered in great depth. As such expecting this book to go step by step through how to do stealth walking is akin to expecting Sun Zi's Art of War (Bing Fa) to teach you how to wield a sword or how to provide basic training to a foot soldier. This manual give us examples of the types of missions Shinobi No Mono would conduct, the tools used, Ninja mindset and the strategies for conducting covert surveillance, espionage, arson and siege breaking.

The translator seems to be enamored of Asian spiritual traditions and talks about ancient astrology (Ten Mon) and other somewhat esoteric areas. If you are new to such topics then the notes provided may almost be enough to understand the points being made, although you may find additional research useful.

There are no illustrations in the book and it does not show any of the original Japanese writing either, so checking the translation for yourself would be impossible. Some photos from a Ninja Museum or historical collection would have improved the look of the book.

I bought this along with Cummin's translations of the Ninpiden and Shoninki. These books do have some of the Japanese text reproduced and in the case of the Ninpiden, also quite a few illustrations of equipment. I am currently reading the Ninpiden and then will proceed on to Cummin's Shoniki, so I cannot compare the two versions of the Shoninki at this stage. I will however review the other version once I've finished it.

All in all though, this book provides a look into the historical Ninja. For those with an interest, despite any shortcomings, the Shoninki is still required reading.