Essence of Ninjutsu

by Masaaki Hatsumi

Looking back almost 1,000 years, the mists of Japan's chaotic past shroud the development of a way of life, an ancient struggle waged against fierce feudal lords who ruled the island nation with swords of steel and a code of death before dishonor. The people of the mountainous regions of what is now Iga prefecture wanted to live in peace, but their lords had other plans-so the people learned the martial arts of self-defense and used their meager farm tools as weapons against the samurai blades of their oppressors. Nine traditions of the ninja arts grew out of this seemingly endless struggle, and legends were told of the supernatural abilities of the ninja fighters. The ninja never gained the kind of power that topples tyrants, but they gained a reputation that made tyrants cautious. And they gained the kind of power that makes the spirit endure and the mind the master of its fate. Told in actual stories of past grandmasters and in dojo lectures on techniques-with photographs, drawings, and paintings-the last surviving grandmaster of the ancient art of ninjutsu, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, presents Essence of The Nine Traditions. In it, he explains why, after more than 900 years, the art of the shadow warriors continues to inspire and serve practitioners from around the world. Dr. Hatsumi's book contains historic ninja scrolls and describes techniques for self-defense, and it debunks tricks that are attributed to the ninja but actually derive more from the circus than the martial arts. Essence of Ninjutsu is a fascinating, authoritative look at the roots of ninjutsu and how it continues to enrich the lives of its practitioners today. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is a bone doctor, artist, and writer, as well as the 34th grandmaster of the nine schools of the ninja arts in Japan. He has toured the United States in recent years to help Americans better understand the ninja and their way of life. His articles have appeared in all of the major martial arts magazines.

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Japan, Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1988

About the author

Formerly Yoshiaki Hatsumi, is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization and is the former Togakure-ryū Soke (Grandmaster). He currently resides and teaches in Noda, Chiba, Japan.

Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba on December 2, 1931. He heavily participated in sports during his school years, along with martial arts and theater, including becoming "captain of the football team". While attending the Meiji University, he continued learning judo and eventually rose to Yudansha or Dan rank. He also began teaching Judo during his time at the university to American soldiers at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi began to search for a teacher to further his study of martial arts. He began his Kobudo training under Ueno Chosui. When he was 26 he met Ueno's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia". Hatsumi was accepted as Takamatsu's student and spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, also he continued to learn judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo.

Takamatsu died in Nara, Japan in 1972 after advancing Hatsumi from student to Soke and bestowing on him "all the art of the nine schools", and of course the grandmaster's scrolls, three of which he indicated were ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools of martial arts. Hatsumi went on to found the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan to teach the nine schools to other students. His first trip to the United States was in 1982 and he has since continued to participate in yearly ninjutsu Tai Kai (gathering) around the world.

Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter after his graduation and was chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan at one point in time. He was the writer of a martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was "distributed in 18 countries.

Reviews

[Paola Ferrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a ninjutsu practitioner and the first time I read this book I found it very difficult to follow. I thought at first that it had something to do with the translation, because you feel as if a lot of the message is lost.

However, the second time I read it, was after I read "The Essence of Budo" and I found it much easier to follow. Yet it was much more than that - the subtleties, reading between the lines, and just realising how much more training I need to keep doing so I keep discovering meanings in this book, was a great experience.

My recommendation is go read it, but you do need context, and I would advise as well to read "The Essence of Budo" first.

[Fjedor Incognito]

I would be HIGHLY interested in the insights the other readers gleaned from Sokes' mind from this work about either the nine traditions or the(ir) actual budo.

[Pointless And Proud · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book definitely suffers from its translation, there were several parts where I could tell the message was being lost in translation. In the future, I want to reread the text in its original language and hopefully, then, offer a more accurate review. The title is a little misleading, I thought there was going to be more specific history on the 9 different ryus, we do get some specific historical data about the ryus, but only on the last few pages. If you want a beginning-to-end detailed account of the historical lineage of Ninjitsu, this is not what you are looking for. The book reads more so like a collection of different conversations and thoughts than a linear story or historical account.

With that said, these conversations about Takamatsu Sensei's life and Hatsumi's thoughts about how ninjitsu has been perceived over the years were very interesting.

[Victor Henrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the historical controversy over the facts, Hatsumi work in this book delivers exactly what it’s meant for: the essence of ninjutsu. One can’t see it or read it , or even practice it ; you must feel it. It is something passed through generations mostly by orally storytelling. That is is the essence since legends and myths are the core of the “ninja”. True or not, trying to grasp a shinobi or it’s essence is like holding a spirit, you cannot tell exactly what is fiction or reality and that is where you find yourself already tangled in the rumors about clans and schools. Hatsumi opened a door for a wide range of study, inspiring many people . What you decide to interpret after starting over this scope of history, it’s about to you.

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories were somewhat fun but this was a confusing read for me, as a student of Sōke. Likely the stories are highly allegorical, but the "essence" went over my head. I can also presume that many things were lost in translation. I might return to this book in the future but at this point I have a hard time finding the thread.

[Onírica · Rating 1 out of 5]

La pésima edición de este libro echa a perder todo su contenido y potencial. Faltas de ortografía hasta en la contracubierta, traducción a la vista mal hecha,y lo peor de todo...un sinsentido de exposición del contenido. Ha hecho falta la labor de un buen editor para todo, salta a la vista, pero sobre todo para que ayudase Masaaki Hatsumi a narrar sus ideas y conocimientos de forma coherente, ordenada y profunda. Un escritor a su lado que ayudase a componer la obra. Este libro acaba siendo un alboroto de textos sin ton ni son, que hablan del ninjutsu de una forma que no merece. Ni lo merece el arte marcial en sí, ni el saber del autor.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bizarre philosophical journey that probably means a lot to those already far initiated into the mysteries of the style. For those just trying to get a framework for the "essense" of ninjutsu it was confusing at best. A book full of Japanese metaphors, a whole book. I understand that you do not want to give everything away and that nothing is as good as a real teacher, but a little practical knowledge mixed in would have been nice.

[Sleiman Azizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book.

It is one of the author's first books to be translated well. The translator simply let's the author speak and in reading it, one gets the feeling that he has crossed a boundary of sorts as he accepts who he is in budo.

The sense of no-style that runs throughout the book is what separates the writing (and the author) from most other martial artists. Don't expect clichés or stereotypes in this or any other of Masaaki Hatsumi's works.

[P.J. Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Study the art then read this book, if you do it the other way around most of the book if not all will go over your head!
The story's are amazing and again if you have not studied the art a lot will go over your head.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hatsumi, is as ever one of the worlds finest ninjas. This was a good book with full picture illustrations that I enjoyed.

[Linda Ince]

best book ever written!!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a pretty good book, it had some good insights into ninjutsu. I did get the impression that quite a bit of it was lost in translation.

[Aliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to re-read this again (And maybe again. And again), to give it a decent review. There were a lot of ideas in it that are noteworthy to point out.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories...fun read.