The Grandmaster's Book of Ninja Training

The Grandmaster's Book of Ninja Training is a translated dialogue between Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi and some of his senior non-Japanese students. Ninjutsu was for a majority of its history taught in secret. This resulted in many misunderstandings of the essence of the art as it came into the light of modern times. The purpose of the Grandmaster's Book of Ninja Training is to dispel some of the misconceptions and misunderstandings that have attached themselves to the ancient art of Ninpo / Ninjutsu. We read of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi's ideas on grading and rank within ninjutsu, and his thoughts on the idea of learning from books and videos. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi recommends watching his videos and reading his books, but also explains the importance of finding an instructor capable of transmitting the feeling and spirit of the art of ninjutsu. The dialogue between Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi and his students covers many topics. For example Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi speaks to the relationship and role of religions such as Zen, Shugendo, and Mikkyo as they relate to Ninpo / Ninjutsu. We also read secrets revealed in epigrams, such as Hell gapes beneath the upraised sword... Step In! Heaven is your reward. We are presented with ideas on the conduct of the practitioner of the art. The true ninja remains ordinary at all times. His skills are not for show or for talk, but for use only at moments when there is a need for defense. He works from balance and therefore strength. The Grandmaster's Book of Ninja Training is quite short in its number of pages - only about 100, but contains a great deal of insight from the Master of Ninjutsu. This book does not teach the reader physical techniques, rather it gives the reader a glimpse of the essence of Ninpo / Ninjutsu as practiced by the leading practitioner of the art today.

This is a great book. What Hatsumi writes in this really makes you wonder of how to be a ninja. How to enjoy life, and live safe. It really help to read this book if you want the real spirit in Ninja Training. You may not understand everything he means in this book. But you will understand a lot more after a while. And every time you read this book agian you will understand more.Please buy it.

Concise and to the point..Does away with the superficialities of the Martial Arts and shows what it's all about... Dispells some misunderstandings about the art that is Ninjutsu and there are lessons in it that are applicable in all walks of life and not just the training hall. I recommend it to all people regardless of whether they are martial artists or not.

Using a question-and-answer format featuring several highly-ranked western students, Hatsumi-sensei pours forth pearls of wisdom at once so commonsense yet simultaneously illuminating, one cannot help but become engrossed not only in this system of martial arts, but also in the man himself. A must-have for anyone who calls themself a martial scholar, artist, or intelligent person!

If what you want are "ninja" stealth and assassin techniques, you're looking at the wrong book. This book is simply an interview with Soke (Grandmaster) Masaaki Hatsumi about warriorship and the *true* meaning of ninjutsu. Being a ninja, a warrior, stretches far beyond merely being an undefeatable pugilist. For those interested in the social/spiritual aspects of warriorship, this is certainly a book you must own. Also look into Shidoshi Jack Hoban's book "Ninpo"--another priceless addition to the martial artist's literary collection.