In brief, it shows the moral code of ethics on how to live a stoic life and the principles used to do so.
As Ninjutsu borrows from the Samurai, this book is a nod to the culture and behavior that Ninja’s would live by. This book isn’t specifically based on Ninjutsu but is also focused on Samurai culture in general. Hagakure The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo So, for those who want to learn about the behavioural side of being a Ninja, as well as the practical fighting aspects, Secret Tactics is a good place to start. This book shows a comprehensive, well-rounded look at all aspects of Ninjutsu. In short, it shows the moves and techniques that are to be taught, as well as looking at the lifestyle of the Ninja. Secret Tactics is a good account of both the physical and spiritual side of Ninjutsu. Zoughari does a good job of researching into the truths and falsehoods that surround Ninjutsu. Even in today’s age, it has a lot of conflicting information about what is legitimate and what is not. Whether you believe it’s good or bad, the reality is that Ninjutsu has a lot of differing accounts about its practices. This book is based on uncovering the myths and legends that surround the martial art. Returning to the historical side of things, Zoughari sets a task of explaining the true origins and elements of Ninjutsu. Ninja Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan by Kacem Zoughari Even for advanced practitioners, this book is a great read. For those who are struggling to get to a dojo and train in person, it offers a great alternative. Simply put, if you wanted to learn straight away and don’t care about the mental side of things, then this book is for you.
Not only this but it also has pictures alongside each move, so it’s very easy to follow. In terms of depth, it is very deep as it features over 150 moves and breaks down exactly how to do them. Ninja Skills is incredibly practice-focused and moves away from looking back at the lineage. It features parts on the training, weaponry and spiritual side of Ninjutsu. This book does a quick but effective look at how Ninjutsu works as well as the history. However, don’t let it put you off, if you are brand new or just intrigued then arguably this book is for you. Because of this, it may not be suitable for advanced practitioners of Ninjutsu. Returning to the practical elements, Delavier’s book is quite a brief look at Ninjutsu at only 52 pages long. Ninjutsu Secret Tactics, Techniques & Mindset Concepts From The Ancient Japanese Ninja by Tim Delavier Because of this, it looks at the cultural impact of Ninja life and how it has effected much of the world. Even though these stealth methods may be hundreds of years old, they are still relevant in today’s society. It doesn’t just look at history but it also applies it to the present. Unlike Sonshi, this guide is also comparable to modern day. This shows what it was really like to live like a Ninja and behave like one. The nice thing about it is that it also uses illustrations. This is another book that is based on the historical elements of Ninjutsu.
Ninja The Unofficial secret manual by Stephen Turnbull For history buffs, Sonshi has you covered. Instead, it is a historical approach based on how the philosophy of Ninjutsu was used to defeat its enemies in feudal Japan. This book will not teach the practical fighting methods that are found in the previous book. Going back hundreds of years, or thousands according to some, the idea of Ninjutsu was to win wars by strategy and stealth. When we think of fighting, we often think of a physical battle however, Ninjutsu is known for taking a wider stance when it comes to war. Sonshi The Art of War in Ninjutsu by James LoriegaĪ big part of Ninjutsu is about warfare, both mentally and physically. It is basically a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate Ninjutsu into a fighting scenario. This book is ideal for beginners too as it covers a lot of the basics and is quite basic in its approach. Because of this, The Illustrated Ninja Handbook has you covered. Sometimes, descriptions are helpful but without visual aids, it can be difficult to try and learn purely by reading. This book is ideal for learning about the fighting tactics of Ninja’s and as the title suggests, it’s all illustrated too. The Illustrated Ninja Handbook by Remigiusz Borda