The Best-Selling Ninjutsu Books of All Time

This informative martial arts book, Ninja Weapons introduces the exciting and deadly secrets of ninjutsu--the chain and the shuriken. The Masaki school of chain fighting was developed in the feudal society of the early eighteenth century by a swordsman-sentry in Edo (Tokyo) Castle. Feeling that the shedding of blood in such a hallowed place would be disgraceful, he devised the combat use of the weighted chain. Even the name he gave to the art proves the trust he placed in its effectiveness--manrikigusari (chain with the power of ten thousand).

The equally devastating art of shuriken, the throwing of metal stars and spikes, evolved shortly after manrikigusari. The easily concealed shuriken soon became known as an extremely effective weapon for both shinobi and samurai warriors. Included are "The Samurai Creed," various techniques, the history of the arts and over 100 black and white photos and illustrations.

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).

Book by Oscar Diaz-Cobo.