"Do not expect easy answers or simple solutions here on these pages. . . but then "that is the fun, the excitement, the joy of involvement in the warrior arts of accomplishment. . . . It pleases me no end to see the world at large now welcoming the knowledge of ninjutsu's ages in the form of these books by the art's grandmaster ." -- From the Foreword by Stephen K. Hayes In an uninhibited dialogue from a recent meeting with his top instructors from around the world, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi discusses his personal journey through the mysteries of the ancient art of the phantom warrior. His topics cover the nutritional needs of a ninja, the changing physical attributes of the "new" ninja, details on training for the novice as well as the advanced student, and the spiritual aspects of ninja training and how it applies to the modern world. With numerous photos, Dr. Hatsumi demonstrates the extemporaneous techniques that flow from his form of training and how some of his top students have developed their own styles of ninjutsu. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, the grandmaster of the nine ninjutsu schools that comprise the ninja tradition, is an artist with brush and ink, a medical practitioner of seikotsu, and a prolific writer .
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Interesting Information:
Great Book! Lot's of helpful information for the Martial Arts practioner. Not for beginners though. This book will benefit those who have trained the Arts for more than a few years. A true Master stands behind these pages.
Going to the Source:
In many cases, the only real way to understand something is by going to the source and even then, there is no guarantee of coming away with the 'treasure hard to attain'. Hatsumi-sensei's martial art is much like this and any opportunity to listen in on a candid talk with him should not be missed. That being the case, it is interesting to note that a number of the people mentioned in this book are no longer training with Soke but if one can bear in mind the limitations of those who were not able to... more info
Small Book, Big Lessons:
Sometimes, the best books to learn from are books of interviews with a master of some particular thing. This book is no exception and packs a lot of good info in a very few pages. The questions and answers that go back and forth between students and teacher reveal much and hint at even more. I return to this book every year or so and seem to find more in it at every read! (Always a good sign.) One of my favorite parts of the book is when Dr. Hatsumi says (paraphrasing from memory...) that no... more info
Starting out:
This is the first book I ever read on the subject of Budo. It got me hooked. It's well written, playful and gives an interesting view of some of the first western students of Hatsumi-Sensei. You get a good down to earth connected feel when you finish the book. I did and it's kept me in gambatte mode through 10 years of training. I've lent this book out a lots had to buy new copies. It's well worth it. Highly recommended!
