The Book of Ninja

Book excerpt: This first complete translation of the Bansenshuka—the ‘bible’ of the ninja arts! Like The Art of War, the tenets of Japanese military strategy and tactics offer valuable lessons for success in everyday life. In 1676, a ninja named Fujibayashi collected and combined information from the ninja clans of Iga—regarded to be the homeland of the ninja—and compiled it into an authoritative book. Known as The Bansenhukai, Fujibayashi’s book has now been translated into English by the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team and is widely considered to be the ‘bible’ of ninjutsu, the arts of the ninja. The Book of Ninja begins with an in-depth introduction to the history of Fujibayashi’s scripture. Its teachings take into the secrets of guerrilla warfare and espionage—and reveals how the ninjas mastered: • Spycraft—including nighttime steal and concealment tactics • Weapon and tool building skills • Mission planning and warfare • Adopting the right mindset for tackling inner and outer demons • Capturing criminals and executing night raids • Making secret codes and signs • Predicting weather through an esoteric Buddhist divination An exciting and engaging tome of lost knowledge, The Book of Ninja is the final say in the world of the ninja and the ultimate classic for samurai and ninja enthusiasts alike.