The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art (Paperback)

by Stephen K. Hayes (Author) "Woven into the rich fabric of Japanese cultural, political, and religious history is the story of an incredible art of espionage and individual combat..." (more)
Key Phrases: offensive posture, training hall, Hatsumi Sensei, Takamatsu Sensei, Masaaki Hatsumi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In feudal Japan, ninja warriors were credited with supernatural powers of invisibility and ways of learning any secret. They also were feared for their skill in espionage and assassination. Behind these legends is the reality of an ancient, sophisticated, highly systematic martial art: ninjutsu. Perhaps the least understood martial art of Japan, ninjutsu emphasizes naturalness of movement, responsiveness to one's adversary, and total practicality. Women as well as men were trained in this obscure deadly art. As its form crystallized, practitioners established an organized system for maintaining absolute secrecy. Now, all aspects of ninjutsu are revealed in this remarkable book written by the first American trained as a ninja.

About the Author
Stephen K. Hayes has spent over one-third of his life practicing and teaching the Oriental fighting arts. He is the first American ever accepted as a personal student by the master of the last historically unbroken ninjutsu tradition in Japan. Stephen K. Hayes, called the "Father of American Ninjutsu" by Inside Kung Fu wrote this classic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (July 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804816565
• ISBN-13: 978-0804816564
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #116,292 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The FIRST book you should own!, January 8, 2000

By	Reed Shahan (Texas) - See all my reviews

After 16 years of training, this is still my favorite ninjutsu book. The story of how Hayes searched out real ninjutsu and became accepted in what had been a closed system is the heart of its honesty. If you're looking for "How to Kill in 6 Easy Steps", then this is not it. But if you've done the sport arts, the belts, and the ego strokes of other arts (I did) and are looking for the real thing, here's where to start. As his first book after returning from years in Japan, it is not as polished as his later books but it is so honest and you come away with a feeling of his respect for the art and Grandmaster Hatsumi. It's a great read whether you ever train or not and the beginning of the path for those that do.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview of the Ninja Art, February 28, 2002

By	M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is one of the best introductions on the Ninja Art I have ever read. It is written from the authors point of view as he was first introduced to the art and learned it. Very well written. Gives a great insight of the art. Has a narrative comparrison of the more traditional arts vs ninjutsu. The book contains seven sections. Starts with Perspective, the authors search for Ninja, unarmed combat, weapons,deception, commando tactics and psychology. A book you will read over and over again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous introduction to the world of Ninjutsu, July 18, 2001

By	Ro (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This book is a great introduction to the world of ninjutsu for those not already involved. The book, however, does not contain step by step fighting examples as some of Mr. Hayes' other books do. This book, although different in set-up, is just as valuable, perhaps more so. The book takes your along with Mr. Hayes on his odyssey in search for the last remaining ninja master. It is the details of his experiences training in Japan with Soke Hatsumi. The style of the book is to explain what he went through in his training, but not how to go about doing it. This may be a slight put-off to some people, but for ninjutsu practitioners, or those hoping for a chance to become one, it is a great addition to your library for background history and information. I did find the last several chapters to be particularaly enlightening; those chapters containing the philosophical viewpoints and spiritual outlooks of the ninja. Bravo to Mr. Hayes for this fine piece of work. This book was the first book on the Ninja that I ever purchased, only two years ago, when I was 13. It has become a sort of cornerstone in my martial arts library, and an inspiration to me to keep training every day.