Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility (Tuttle Martial Arts)

Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility (Tuttle Martial Arts)
by Donn F. Draeger

Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility (Tuttle Martial Arts)
List Price: $13.95
Our Price: $3.69
You Save: $10.26 (74%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Donn F. Draeger
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-15
ISBN: 0804839379
Number of pages: 144
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Book Reviews of Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility (Tuttle Martial Arts)

Book Review: What Ninjas Remember About their Traditions
Summary: 3 Stars

I ran a feudal Japan newsletter for ten years, and in that time I read many books on ninja. This book is one of the more basic on the topic, covering the general history of the ninja and the rumors about their feats. It does not go into any real detail about what the ninja did, how they did it, or provide documentation for further research into specifics.

First, the basics. Trained spies have been used in Japan for at least 1,500 years, with clans of spies training their acolytes in the remote hills. Various rulers used these spies for legitimate as well as less savory reasons. In a culture which celebrated honor and bushido - the way of the warrior - the ninja were looked down on as dogs and vermin. Still, they had their uses, and were paid well for their work.

Ninja were trained from childhood to have exceptional balance, jumping ability, stamina for long runs, and great body strength. They practiced close listening, to judge how many people were in a room by minute rustles and the sound of exhales. The book goes on to explain a variety of techniques ninja would use to overcome various obstacles they might encounter.

I am less sure about the "ninja costume" laid out. I cannot imagine that all ninja clans collaborated to buy standard ninja costumes from the Ninja Costume Store. I imagine that for a given case the ninja would research the local dress and find something to blend in but that also had secret pockets for his tools and a color to blend in with whatever he was most likely to be near. Yes, it might be a dark outfit for night work - but it could easily be light grey if the task was to go along grey walls. It might be something resembling a monk's robe if for example the ninja was going into a monastery, so that from afar he would be taken for a random monk.

That is how it goes with the book. Some sections seem quite rational and reasonable - but others seem a bit iffy. Since nothing is ever quoted with a source, and there is no bibliography in the back to see where this information came from - you're left with the impression that these are all stories handed down from current martial arts contacts of the author. I have no doubt that these sources really believe the stories they have shared! And I imagine that a portion of them are true. However, a portion is going to be legend or tales mis-remembered or mis-said over the years.

If anything, this means we are reading a list of "What current members of ninja-style fighting groups believe about their traditions" which is interesting. However, for more factual, historical information, I'd go with one of the many other books on this topic.

Summary of Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility (Tuttle Martial Arts)

Ninja-the very word inspires awe and terror in equal measure. Master of espionage and assassination, stealth and concealment, the ninja's ability to move swiftly and silently gave rise to popular legends of amazing exploits, invincibility and supernatural powers.

In Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility, Donn Draeger draws back the veil of mystery shrouding the arcane practices of feudal Japan's shadow warriors. Stripping away myth and exaggeration, Draeger reveals the secret tactics, exotic weapons, tricks and disguises that earned the ninja a reputation as history's most feared secret agents.

Martial Arts Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Martial Arts Books
Dictionary of the Martial Arts ImageDictionary of the Martial Arts
by Louis Frederic
Athlone Press; Published: 2000-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.51
Price in other shops: $18.95
Be Like Water: Practical Wisdom from the Martial Arts ImageBe Like Water: Practical Wisdom from the Martial Arts
by Joseph Cardillo
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2003-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops: $12.95
On Boxing ImageOn Boxing
by Joyce Carol Oates
Pan; Published: 1988; Paperback; Book
Aikido: Coordination of Mind and Body for Self Defence ImageAikido: Coordination of Mind and Body for Self Defence
by Koichi Tohei
Souvenir Press Ltd; Published: 1966-09-01; Hardcover; Book
Dojo Wisdom for Mothers: 100 Simple Ways to Become a Calmer, Happier, More Loving ImageDojo Wisdom for Mothers: 100 Simple Ways to Become a Calmer, Happier, More Loving
by Jennifer Lawler
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2005-03-29; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.95
Price in other shops: $14.00
Official WTF Taekwondo ImageOfficial WTF Taekwondo
by David Mitchell
Ebury Press; Published: 1996; Paperback; Book
15-Minute Tai Chi: Strong Body, Still Mind (15 Minute) Image15-Minute Tai Chi: Strong Body, Still Mind (15 Minute)
by John Ding, Alan Ding
Thorsons; Published: 2003-09-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $43.97
Ghosts Of Manila The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier ImageGhosts Of Manila The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
by Mark Kram
New York, NY HarperCollins; Published: 2001; Hardcover; Book
I Am Jackie Chan ImageI Am Jackie Chan
by Jackie Chan
Macmillan; Published: 1999-03-12; Paperback; Book
Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese King Fu for Self-Defense and Health ImageWing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese King Fu for Self-Defense and Health
by Ip Chun, Michael Tse
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 1998-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.82
Price in other shops: $17.99
Similar Books and other products
Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na: Instructors Manual for All Martial Styles ImageAnalysis of Shaolin Chin Na: Instructors Manual for All Martial Styles
by Yang Jwing-Ming
Ymaa Publication Center; Published: 2004-06-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.90
Price in other shops: $26.95
Ninja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken ImageNinja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken
by Charles V. Gruzanski
Tuttle Publishing; Published: 1991-09-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.31
Price in other shops: $10.95
The Mystic Arts of the Ninja ImageThe Mystic Arts of the Ninja
by Stephen Hayes
Hayes; McGraw-Hill; Published: 1985-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: $17.95
Dynamic Aikido (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) ImageDynamic Aikido (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)
by Gozo Shioda
Kodansha USA; Published: 1977-10-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops: $17.00
Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.) ImageClassical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.)
by Donn F. Draeger
Weatherhill; Published: 2007-04-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops: $19.95
Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.) ImageClassical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.)
by Donn F. Draeger
Weatherhill; Published: 2007-12-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops: $19.95
Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique And Practice ImageJapanese Swordsmanship: Technique And Practice
by Donn F. Draeger
Weatherhill; Published: 1982-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $27.95
Price in other shops: $35.00
Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) ImageComprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)
by Donn F. Draeger, Robert W. Smith
Kodansha USA; Published: 1981-01-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.41
Price in other shops: $25.00
True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki ImageTrue Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki
by Antony Cummins
Tuttle Publishing; Published: 2011-03-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops: $14.95
The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art ImageThe Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art
by Stephen K. Hayes
Tuttle Publishing; Published: 1990-07-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops: $14.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories