Tulku: A Novel of Modern Ninja [Paperback]

Stephen K. Hayes (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books (September 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809253321
• ISBN-13: 978-0809253326
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great fictional depiction of the ninja., May 1, 2001

By 

Keith L. Goode "Keith L. Goode" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tulku: A Novel of Modern Ninja (Paperback)

Stephen K. Hayes has done what so many other authors and screen writers have failed to do -- he's managed to tell a compelling story about the ninja without raising them to the level of mythic beings or dropping them to the level of incompetent street thugs.

It's really too bad that this book went out of publication, especially since Ninjamania rubbish, like the movie "9 Death of the Ninja," is still in circulation. I'm not saying that this is the best book I've every read, but compared to Sho Kosugi's completely inaccurate portrayals of the ninja, this book is a masterpiece.

If you can find this book ANYWHERE, you truly need to purchase it, new or used or in a file folder on loose-leaf paper. It took me about 6 months to find, and I'm extremely satisfied with the purchase.

The storyline flows very well, and Mr. Hayes offers a unique perspective of the traditional views of good and evil, antagonist and protagonist.

The only weakness I can see in this book, which may in part account for its lack of current publication, is that any reader without some cursory knowledge of ninjutsu and its terminology may be easily confused. At times, especially in the combat scenes, the reader really needs to have a grasp on what the significance of each strike is.

Otherwise, this is the kind of book the ninja community needs more of, now that we've had time to recover from the Ninjamania of the 80's. Great job, Mr. Hayes!! Gambatte!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insights through fiction, November 10, 2000

By 

Aaron (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tulku: A Novel of Modern Ninja (Paperback)

This book may be a fiction book, however Hayes gives a vivid portrait of ninjutsu through the use of a novel. He weaves historical information throughout the novel. You are able to see ninjutsu in a different light, allowing you to see the inner essence through the story of a modern ninja family. this interplay is great because it gives a depth that you can not readily notice through his technical manuals. A great book, I read it once a month and it inspires me to continue with my training in Budotaijutsu.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars - Great insight into the ninja spiritual realms, April 7, 2006

By 

Jason A. Voss "The Intuitive Investor" (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tulku: A Novel of Modern Ninja (Paperback)

I would have given the book 5-stars, however, Mr. Hayes' prose is a bit dense in the early portions of the book and bereft of much dialogue. Other than Tulku, and Kwon (protagonist and antagonist) there is not much characterization created through dialogue. That task is left to the wonderful descriptions of characters.

The story pits modern day ninja, part of a family-run Japanese corporation, against wouldbe terrorists. The 1985 story amazingly still sounds topical today with references to the politics of Kashmir, China, North Korea, and Japan. The book shows a surprising degree of sophistication regarding business dealings, political machinations, electronics technology, tactics, etc. It is as if Mr. Hayes has worked for the CIA himself as a frontline operative.

The best parts of the story for me, as a practitioner of To Shin Do (Mr. Hayes' martial art), were the descriptions of the awareness and kuji kiri abilities cultivated by practitioners of ninjutsu. It was great to hear how he feels intention and great to hear about the potentials remaining to be unlocked within each of us.

As of the writing of this review, Tulku is out of print. Definitely try and find a used copy of this book, especially if you are a practitioner of To Shin Do, Bujinkan, etcetera. Highly recommended.

Jason Voss