In Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai, world-renowned ninja grandmaster and bestselling author Masaaki Hatsumi explains the fundamentals of various unarmed techniques unique to the Japanese martial arts. Known as budo taijutsu, these specialized moves allow the practitioner to evade and receive an attack even from an opponent wielding a sword. Hatsumi covers such topics as Kihon Happo (Eight Basic Movements), Kosshijutsu (Attacks Against Muscles), Koppojutsu (Attacks Against Bones), Jutaijutsu (Flexible Body Arts), Daken Taijutsu (Fist Punching and Striking), Ninpo Taijutsu (Bodily Arts of the Ninja), discussing and demonstrating the many techniques which will enable the fighter to punch, kick and finally lock or control the body of his adversary. As Hatsumi tells us, the techniques have been secretly passed down from the masters to their students for more than a century, and have become the foundations for a range of other martial arts including judo, karate and aikido. This book will thus enhance the readers understanding of the roots of these various disciplines as well as provide fascinating insights into the spirit of the way of the warrior and the martial arts. Includes over 300 step-by-step photos and rare drawings.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Another Gem from the Grand Master:
Filled with detail that any martial artist will find useful, but especially for the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu practitioner. If you only buy one of Hatsumi Sensei's books, this is the MUST buy!
Terrific Reference Guide.:
The first thing to remember is that you can not learn martial arts from a book--period. However, if you want to augment your ninjutsu training with a great reference, this is it. It is not, however for students who are not already familiar with the terminology. Otherwise, many of the scrolls are useless to you. You will never find a complete ninjutsu text. Most, if not all ninjutsu schools adhere to the principle of kuden, or oral transmission from teacher to student. However, this book creates a great... more info
The best of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi books:
If you are looking for a book that completely breaks down everything about a technique and literally spoon feeds you, then this is not the book, nor the art for you. This book is phenomenally written and fairly translated. It isn't the easiest to understand; however, if you have been taught by a shidshi (5th-9th dan-degree black belt), have been to or seen one of Soke's classes on YouTube, then you know that most of what is taught and said is a veritable puzzle left to be sorted out and understood by... more info
More insights.. same tired practices.:
* -I keep books like this for reference material, since I write a lot of articles and personal materials on certain traditional systems. The more friends I have training in certain arts, or the more personal interest I have in that art, the more reference books/ vids I have. In this case, I keep a row of books --and a box of vids-- just on ninjutsu and related arts.
* -In recent years, I've noticed that it is getting harder to find fresh info on arts like ninjutsu. After almost 30 years of English... more info
