This book offers self-defense enthusiasts a comprehensive guide to the mysterious and ancient art of the ninja, written by the Western world's foremost authority, Stephen Hayes. Profusely illustrated with more than 580 action photographs and diagrams, this book clearly shows the correct body positions and movements for mastering the ninja method. Techniques such as hitting the ground and rebounding safely, shifting and evading strikes and weapon hits, and applying natural body weapons and handheld tools for combat are covered in detail. The book's physical conditioning program includes training exercises for increasing flexibility and building muscle strength, followed by footwork drills, reaction drills, counter techniques, and combat skills. Of equal importance to this ancient art is the spiritual training. Stephen Hayes provides all movement and meditation tech- niques essential to the ninja combat method. Stephen K. Hayes is the only American ever awarded the title of shidoshi ("teacher" in Japanese) and full teaching credentials in the art of ninjutsu. He has written eight books and numerous articles for Black Belt, Kick, Official Karate, and Ninja. He operates his own dojo ("school") of ninjutsu and spends his time between trips to the Far East, as a teacher, lecturer, and writer. He is the author of Wisdom from the Ninja Village of the Cold Moon and The Mystic Arts of the Ninja (both Contemporary Books).
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: One of the best Comment: This is one of the better books I've bought and read on the art of the ninja and I recommend it to anyone. The basic training drills will help any new student of the art progress. While I somewhat agree with some people that learning from a book is not the best way to learn any martial art, I believe with the right intention anyone can gain good knowledge and even master some techniques through this book and others by this author. Customer Rating: Summary: yeah it was good Comment: this shows some basic moves of taijitsu but thats pretty much all no advanced moves then again sometimes basics are quick and effective oh and uhhh gobli are you retarded Customer Rating: Summary: Eh.. Comment: This book has some good notes on condiitioning. The rest is just a poor attempt at trying to teach you how to fight. You can't lean that from a book, esspecially from this "Taijutsu" fighitng system their promoting. Don't buy it, get a Bruce Lee book to make up for the fitness tips your missing. Customer Rating: Summary: Ninjutsu: The Art of the invisible warrior Comment: This book is a wonderfully helpful guide to some very basic Ninjutsu techniques. It covers mostly basic self-defense, however there are some rather dire moves that you would only use if someone were about to try to kill you. Not sounding too basic now, is it? I loved the Taijutsu section and the historical references. I didn't like the weapons section very much; I think they missed something in refusing to put in the Katana swords and Shuko climbing claws. For these (particularly the Katana) I recommend Mr. Hayes' other book, The Mystic Arts of the Ninja. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent book for beginner ninjutsu practitioners!!! Comment: This was the first book I got on ninjutsu when I started studying it 3 years ago. If you are interested or training in ninjutsu this is a must read book! It will first teach you the junan-taiso, which is the conditioning and stretching. Then it will teach you basic taijutsu, which is the unarmed combat of the ninja. It also shows you the kamaes, which are the postures of taijutsu. It is a great book that will show you how to use taijutsu one on one, with great step by step instructions and photos. Also you will get into basic jo-staff, tanto, and sword grips. So if your starting out or interested you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK it is probably one of the best and is the easiest to follow.
