Statement About Ninjutsu
The Historical Ninjutsu Research Team would like to be clear to their readers. Ninjutsu as a set of skills documented in historical manuals concentrate on Japanese espionage that are kept within a historical context and not the modern concept of Ninjutsu as a martial art. While the team do not disrespect anyone who ‘claims’ to learn the contemporary art of ‘Ninpo Taijutsu’ it must be clear that this is not what is meant by Ninjutsu in relation to this page.
 

 

 

Historical Ninjutsu
Antony Cummins is a historical Ninjutsu researcher and author. Antony’s sources include the following manuals, among others.

 

True Path of the Ninja (The Shoninki)
The Shoninki was written in 1681 by Natori Masazumi and is one of the three major manuscripts on Ninjutsu.
It is on of the "three major ninja manuals" and is considered to be the arts of the Kishu Ryu. This is now available in full English translation published by Tuttle Publishing.
 
The Bansenshukai
The Bansenshukai needs little or no introduction to a Ninjutsu or martial arts audience, written in 1676 by Fujibayashi Yasutake. It is the premier manuscript for Ninjutsu research. Of various versions of the Bansenshukai, the one owned by the National Archives of Japan is to be used as copy text. It consists of 11 books, which include 22 volumes and a supplementary volume.

 

True Ninja Traditions (The Ninpiden)
The Ninpiden was written by Hatori Hanzo, one of the foremost Ninjas of history. The book contains the tools needed by the Shinobi of Japan and other tactics.

 

Other Ninjutsu Scrolls
Antony also uses some smaller scrolls found in private collections. The Historical Ninjutsu Team would welcome anyone with any other copies of manuals to add to our research.

 

Shinobi Soldiers
Shinobi Soldiers is an investigation into the reality of the Ninja and the reality of the life they led. This book is an adaptation of a set of articles of the same name that runs in the British publication, Combat Magazine. Taking most of its information from Historical documentation and practical experimentation it will blow the Ninja world apart and take a diversion from the common book normally ‘rehashed’ about the Ninja. This book is set to go deeper into the real world of the Ninja.