Look past the legends and learn about the REAL ninjas of feudal Japan with this entertaining, illustrated ninjutsu guide. Ninjutsu, the least understood of the Japanese martial arts, is an ancient fighting style emphasizing natural movement, responsiveness to adversaries, and absolute practicality. In feudal Japan, ninja were feared for their skill in espionage and, particularly, assassination. Masters of weaponry, stealth, and martial techniques, ninja were credited with supernatural powers because of the near-invincibility of their unique and deadly art. In The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art, Black Belt Hall of Fame member, Stephen K. Hayes, reveals the secrets that lead to the perception of the ninja as warriors of almost sorcerous skill--the art of invisibility, special tools and weapons, and psychological training enabling the ninja to gain advantage in any situation. Chapters include: Perspective--Origin; Organization; Training; At the Height of Power; The Decline; Ninjutsu in the Modern World Search for the Ninja Unarmed Combat--The Ninja Fists; Fighting Postures; Other Factors Weaponry--Chains and Cords; Sticks and Staffs; Canes with Concealed Weapons; The Ninja Sword; Throwing Blades The Way of Invisibility--Sense Deception; Phantom Steps; Reconnaissance; Blending with the Night; Attacking the Eyes; The Art of Disguise Shadow Warriors--Espionage; Commando Tactics The Realm of the Spirit--Psychological Warfare; The Force of the Killer; The Great Harmony

The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art By Stephen K. Hayes

Ninja Fighting Techniques explains how to defend yourself against real-world threats using techniques perfected centuries ago by the great Ninja masters. Author Stephen K. Hayes is the world's leading expert on Ninjutsu techniques. In this book, he presents the Ninja "Five Elements" system to explain fundamental aspects of self-defense. According to Japanese Buddhist belief, human nature is connected to the natural world and the five elements. By understanding that connection, essential responses to any threat become clear: Earth--Remain grounded in your thinking and footing to repel attempts to distract or deceive you Water--Shift, angle and move fluidly to confuse attackers and put them off balance Fire--See where a situation is going as it develops and intercept it at the critical moment Wind--Stay light on your feet and move nimbly to evade attempts to pin you down Void--Control a fight's direction by changing dynamics to confuse your attacker Ninja Fighting Techniques explains how the five elements can become automatic, unconscious responses for fighters who train the Ninja way. Through study and practice they become instinctive, effectively employed precisely when you need them without thinking. The advantage of Ninja teachings over other martial disciplines is that, in addition to providing physical combat methods, they teach you to develop a better understanding of human behavior and psychology as well as "real-time" awareness of your surroundings--invaluable in any combat and street fighting situation. With over 300 full-color photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions, this book shows you how the ancient self-defense techniques developed by the Ninja are still unsurpassed today!

Ninja . . . that single word conjures up images of mystery and power. The ability to move swiftly and silently, to mesmerize one's victim, to strike infallibly, and then to disappear into the night--this is the legend of the ninja. These nearly sorcerous aspects of the ninja, as well as the exotic weapons they use, are the focus of The Mystic Arts of the Ninja. Its author, Shidoshi Stephen K. Hayes, is the sole American to be granted teaching credentials by the 34th grandmaster of the Togokure School of Ninjutsu in Japan. Going beyond the basic conditioning and training techniques of his best-selling Ninjutsu: The Art of the Invisible Warrior, Hayes explains the most sought after secrets of his ninja training: Hypnotism: Saiminjutsu, the ninja's hypnotic powers are described and explained. Sample exercises are provided to help develop your hypnotic powers. Invisibility: Stealth walking and camouflage are discussed. Hayes provides examples of how to move silently across various kinds of terrain and how to blend into your surroundings to become invisible. Weaponry: The Hanbo cane, the sword, and the infamous shuriken throwing stars are ninja trademarks. Hayes fully describes their use in grappling as well as in attacking. More than 400 black-and-white photos are used to illustrate the secrets and techniques that have been used by the ninja to surprise and outwit their foes over the past 800 years. The authenticity of Shidoshi Hayes's instruction is perhaps the most important aspect of this book: no other book represents the true ninja tradition.

Enter the mind of one of ninjutsu's greatest teachers and start your journey towards martial arts mastery! Masters in the Japanese martial art of Ninjutsu are legendary for their ability to access seemingly endless amounts of pure strength and mental endurance to achieve their goals. The Ninja Mind documents Ninjutsu black belt Kevin Casey's journey toward mastery under the tutelage of Stephen K. Hayes, Black Belt Hall of Fame member and the "Father of American Ninjutsu." Casey vividly describes his successes and setbacks studying with his famous teacher--as well as his growing interest in the Ninja art of kuji-no-ho, the most esoteric of traditional Ninja practices. Combined with determination and discipline, Casey's techniques and exercises will guide you to acquire and cultivate a true ninja's power. Exercises such as 'The Unbendable Arm' and 'Manifesting Power' will develop your physical strength, while 'Walking as the Hero' will hone the mindset necessary to overcome any challenge, no matter how suddenly it arises. Chapters in this ninjutsu guide include: The Nine Powers The Secrets Told Physical Strength Mental Strength Spirit Strength Negative Emotions

Expanded and collected for the first time in a single volume, the six ninja books by this legendary ninjutsu master offer a comprehensive guide to this misunderstood martial art. Beginners will be introduced to the building blocks of ninjutsu: the basic postures, the natural elements that correspond with fighting techniques, the sorts of weapons utilized, and the “scheme of totality.” More advanced practitioners will benefit from descriptions of such principles as enlightened consciousness, the goton-po theory of escape and invisibility, and the union of body and weapon. Meditation exercises are included to strengthen the consciousness and decrease reaction time. Expanding upon his original writings, and interwoven with the wisdom and insight garnered from four decades of martial arts training, the author addresses misconceptions associated with ninjutsu and shares the story of his path to becoming an internationally recognized warrior and martial arts educator.

Learn to master ninjutsu techniques and the Budo warrior ethos with this informative and entertaining martial arts guide. Welcome to the secret world of the ninja master! The Illustrated Ninja Handbook is your ultimate guide to the esoteric knowledge and teachings of the ancient Japanese shinobi. It provides ninjitsu devotees with the first detailed understanding of this shadowy and mysterious martial art form. This handbook contains step-by-step instructions that allow you to master the 40 most devastating ninja fighting techniques. It was created with the blessing of legendary ninjutsu master Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, who taught for many generations in the Bujinkan School—generally recognized as the leading ninjutsu school in the world. The Bujinkan Dojo encompasses nine separate ryu-ha or martial arts schools that are based in Japan and headed by Hatsumi. Bujinkan ninjas use both armed and unarmed fighting techniques, with weapons such as swords, bamboo shinai, and staffs. They also learn to defend themselves unarmed against weapons attacks. Author Remigiusz Borda studied and taught Bujinkan ninjutsu for many decades, and in this book presents the unique system created by Masaaki Hatsumi—the 34th Grandmaster and head of the Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu lineage. The Illustrated Ninja Handbook is based on hundreds of years of actual ninja combat experience and contains the traditional knowledge of the legendary Shinobi warrior clan who were instrumental in helping found the Tokugawa Shogunate.