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True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki [Hardcover]

Antony Cummins , Yoshie Minami , Nakashima Atsume , Nakashima Atsumi , Otake Risuke
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 10, 2011
True Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki—the famous 17th century ninja training manual. Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understanding the skills, techniques and mentality of the historical ninja. Whether it involved tips for surviving in the wild, advice on intelligence-gathering techniques, or methods for creating chaos in the enemy camp, the True Path of the Ninja unveils secrets long lost.

Also included is the first written record of the oral tradition "Defense Against a Ninja" taught by Otake Risuke, the revered sensei of the legendary Katori Shinto Ryu school of swordsmanship. It reveals for the first time the traditional teachings on how the samurai can protect himself from the cunning wiles of a ninja.


Frequently Bought Together

True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki + The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi: Hattori Hanzo's Shinobi Hiden and Other Ninja Scrolls
Price for both: $23.62

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Antony Cummins is a world renowned ninja historian, whose works have included the translating of the most authentic ninja documents available to modern man. His background as an archaeologist and historian gives him a unique insight to the mysterious world of the ninja. A trained martial artist, he is the author of several books on ninja and martial arts, including: Shinobi Soldiers and To Stand on a Stone: 50 Fundamental Principles of Martial Arts.

Yoshie Minami has a B.A. degree in Linguistics from the International Christian University and is a member of the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team. She currently lives in Saitama, Japan.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Hardcover with Jacket edition (March 10, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 4805311142
  • ISBN-13: 978-4805311141
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

The book is very detailed, and pays much attention to details. Ninpo26  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
The Ninja Bible will Teach if the Practitioner will listen. Red Spider Ninja  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
It was wrote with Historical context and very well narrated. Rafael Siberon Caraballo  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 26 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars decent, but get both versions. March 7, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
it's good to have every version of translations of books like this, as some parts are open to interpretation. My first main complaint is that they inserted their footnotes into the text, rather than keeping them separate, which in turn no longer makes this a very "definitive" translation.

Second of all, Yoshie isn't very good at translating the latter parts once they get into deeper topics. Her translation is pretty dry and misses the essence of the original text.

Personally, I prefer the other english version of the Shoninki available [with the black cover] but have this version also to double check things. If you're going to only get one version, get the other.
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12 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable book December 14, 2011
By Ninpo26
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
At first I was skeptical with this book when I decided to get a translation of Shoninki, because of some of the controversy surrounding the author. So I purchased the Axel version instead. But upon investigating the work of Antony Cummins, I came to the conclusion that most of the controversy is not founded in any objective criticism, but rather in personal attacks due to the author's comments regarding Bujinkan and modern Ninjitsu.

So from a skeptic, I came all the way, to my current opinion that this is a far better translation of Shoninki than the version by mr. Axel. The book is very detailed, and pays much attention to details. The author states that a lot of footnotes were incorporated into the text itself due to publisher's request. This is my only objection to this book, but I know the author didn't have a choice in the matter as much.

In regards to the work itself. It might be a disappointment to those who are used to the popular image of a Ninja warrior provided by media and modern Ninjutsu schools, which are unable to prove their lineage. This isn't a book for kids playing with shurikens. It's a manual on espionage, communication skills, strategy etc.
In fact it is much more usable in everyday life, than any martial arts book could ever come close to be. As the shoninki states itself, the real war is fought with words, not weapons. And the greatest Shinobi is he who manages to have no enemies. If a Ninja has to hit someone or use a sword, then he is a really bad Ninja. This is the whole message of the book.

If anyone is interested in REAL Ninpo, historical Ninpo, as opposed to modern imaginative reenactments, or 80's movies nonsense, I'd recommend this book.
... Read more ›
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11 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Real Ninjutsu February 17, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I would like to thank Yoshie for the hard work she put into this book, I have been to Japan many times not many people are interested in this subject, her hard work and dedication has brought historic information that's not available to the western world. If people are interested in real shinobinojutsu this is the book for you, this book goes into great detail about the real ways of these silent warriors, not martial arts not magic but the real deal.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The one to get!!! June 19, 2013
By Santos
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
True Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki--the famous 17th century ninja training manual. Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understanding the skills, techniques and mentality of the historical ninja. Whether it involved tips for surviving in the wild, advice on intelligence-gathering techniques, or methods for creating chaos in the enemy camp, the True Path of the Ninja unveils secrets long lost.Also included is the first written record of the oral tradition "Defense Against a Ninja" taught by Otake Risuke, the revered sensei of the legendary Katori Shinto Ryu school of swordsmanship. It reveals for the first time the traditional teachings on how the samurai can protect himself from the cunning wiles of a ninja. Highly recommended!!!
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work!!! March 16, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is very well explained. It was wrote with Historical context and very well narrated. I give it an A+!!
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great translation! March 3, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The most accurately translated version I could find, this book is definitely a most for anyone who shares an interest in Japanese History, and the folklore and philosophy surrounding Ninja.
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3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My 11 year old LOVES this book!!! January 17, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
He's so excited about it that he took it to school to show his teacher. He reads it and discusses it with his grandfather, and they have quite the deep conversations about its teachings. Good book for an advanced reader who likes this topic.
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars 4 stars for the effort alone!! December 11, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
good job ant...i like the fact that you got the bug and are willing to keep up the good fight...

even with your mixed intentons your still bringing light to darkness here...

the biggest problem i have is what you are missing not being a martial artist your self and yoshie either...
you need to get someone on the field to help you..that is all your missing..im hoping you can pull it all out on your next few books..

i wholly recommend at this point claudes books on the subject they are more expensive but buy that (if you can get it) and compare.

again its more expensive and rare .... but if you get youll see why...as far as certain organizations go..heres the deal;;

ninja were hired to harass terrorize and steal "in" & kill...theres no way to make this look pretty or "hide" these facts! there were no "happy go lucky ninja" and not all ninja should be looked at as villians in a dam comic!

they also were engineers way ahead of times and doctors as well...so theres your good ninja...but they still did what they had to for there people.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't open on Kindle
I downloaded this to my kindle app on my Samsung Tab 2 but the pages all showed up blank. Tried to download twice.
Published 23 days ago by Darrel Davis
3.0 out of 5 stars Author is questionable
I was recommended this book as I am a student of Budo, at the very least it is another perspective from an author I've no experience with before this. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Hahnjob
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The book was well written. It touched on the spiritual side of a shinobi's training and spoke about myths introduced by the media. I enjoyed the book very much.
Published 3 months ago by Jose
4.0 out of 5 stars A guide to the ninja of yesteryear
This is a easy and quick look into what ninja were trained for in the 1600s. It is a translation of a ninja manual after all. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Joseph A. Tribby
5.0 out of 5 stars The True Path of Enlightenment
This book is what I would expect from one who leads you to the unexpected life of ninja. We are on this path!
Published 5 months ago by Sue Dougherty
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have
Must have for any person studying "Ninjutsu" whether be x-kans or modern Ninjutsu schools. Gives insight into what a Ninja really was and look into the fundamental Ninjutsu... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Marley
5.0 out of 5 stars Traduction well commented!
Well traducted and with Author'r comentaries which introduce each chapter. Beautiful hardcover. A book for Martial Arts Lovers and hot want to read a good and thrustable... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Madeira
5.0 out of 5 stars TRUE PATH of the NINJA THE DEFENTIVE TRANSLATION OF THE SHONINKI AN...
True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki
True Path of the Ninja Translation by,Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami

take's you into the mind... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Red Spider Ninja
4.0 out of 5 stars Spies of Japan
Cummins unceremoniously shatters the "modern" image of the ninja with his commentary, but he provides a portrait of an ancient spy as consolation. Read more
Published 16 months ago by M.A. Cox
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