Ninjutsu

Rating:
Summary: Basic moves are sometimes the best
Review: I first read this book over ten years ago at the age of fourteen- just at the beginning of the "Ninjutsu Craze" of the eighties. Some of the text is of dubious value, speaking of some of the more mystical aspects of Ninjutsu. These aspects should I believe, be viewed in one of two ways- either as amusing fluff, not to be taken seriously, or highly dangerous and not to be undertaken without the assistance of a qualified sensei, if one does take it seriously. Other aspects of the text, such as weapons training are very "sexy" and interesting, but are, unfortunately, woefully inadequate. The weapon training portion will teach the novice just enough to be dangerous to himself. The most valueable part of the book is the section on "taijutsu" which involves basic exercises, attack and evasion movements, and some very effective kicks, throws, punches, etc. Since the age of twelve I have been involved in five seperate forms, mostly self-taught, and it is always the basic taijutsu movements "taught" me by Sensei Hayes that I always seem to come back to, usually with no concious thought- thereby speeding up the movment by eliminating a thought process. For this reason, the book is ideal, I beleive for someone looking for basic exercises and self-defense movements that are easy to learn, master, and employ.

Rating:
Summary: This is not about ninjas. REAL ninjas.
Review: Ok maybe I don't know as much about ninjas as my friend Robert but this is way off the ball. Way way. Whoever wrote this book is dumb and stupid. They say in here that you should only use this for self defense and stupid tournaments which are probably stupid. Give me breaks over here. Ninjas aren't all nice and regimented. Here's what REAL ninjas are like.

This ninja was walking down the street and he was kicking the air (because he was pumped) and this kid was like "Watch it, freak." The ninja gives him this look that is like "You're dead." Everybody around is biting their fingers off because they are pumped/scared about the scene. The kid is like "Ninjas are calm and silent ass-ass-ins and you are just a loser in black pajamas."
The ninja smiles, and pulls out this sword, a huge sword that has skulls cut into it and babes wailing on guitars on the handle. The kid is like "Crud." The ninja starts cutting him up and he totally flips out and all these chicks start taking off their clothes and the ninja smiles and says "Looks like you know what a REAL ninja is now."

Ninjas are this way. This book is full of lies. If you want ninjas, check out my friend Robert's book Real Ultimate Power. Peace, homeys.

Rating:
Summary: Eh..
Review: This book has some good notes on condiitioning. The rest is just a poor attempt at trying to teach you how to fight. You can't lean that from a book, esspecially from this "Taijutsu" fighitng system their promoting. Don't buy it, get a Bruce Lee book to make up for the fitness tips your missing.

Rating:
Summary: Eh..
Review: This book has some good notes on condiitioning. The rest is just a poor attempt at trying to teach you how to fight. You can't lean that from a book, esspecially from this "Taijutsu" fighitng system their promoting. Don't buy it, get a Bruce Lee book to make up for the fitness tips your missing.

Rating:
Summary: Ninjutsu: The Art of the invisible warrior
Review: This book is a wonderfully helpful guide to some very basic Ninjutsu techniques. It covers mostly basic self-defense, however there are some rather dire moves that you would only use if someone were about to try to kill you. Not sounding too basic now, is it? I loved the Taijutsu section and the historical references. I didn't like the weapons section very much; I think they missed something in refusing to put in the Katana swords and Shuko climbing claws. For these (particularly the Katana) I recommend Mr. Hayes' other book, The Mystic Arts of the Ninja.

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to basic taijutsu!
Review: This is one of Hayes's first "instructional" books on ninjutsu, and it does a good job teaching the "basics." Hundreds and hundreds of great pictures saturate most of the pages, making it an easy-to-follow guide for beginners. Still, it's hard to learn simply by following Hayes's movements. The reader ought to have some understanding of the fundamentals--ideally through lessons from a certified Bujinkan instructor--before putting this book's techniques to use. Nonetheless, it's a great one to read and to own. Hayes, of course, is more than qualified as an instructor. I own almost all of his literature, and I enjoy reading them over and over as a reminder for the basics. It still feels like I gain something new every time I read one of his books--an excellent complement to ninjutsu classes!

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to basic taijutsu!
Review: This is one of Hayes's first "instructional" books on ninjutsu, and it does a good job teaching the "basics." Hundreds and hundreds of great pictures saturate most of the pages, making it an easy-to-follow guide for beginners. Still, it's hard to learn simply by following Hayes's movements. The reader ought to have some understanding of the fundamentals--ideally through lessons from a certified Bujinkan instructor--before putting this book's techniques to use. Nonetheless, it's a great one to read and to own. Hayes, of course, is more than qualified as an instructor. I own almost all of his literature, and I enjoy reading them over and over as a reminder for the basics. It still feels like I gain something new every time I read one of his books--an excellent complement to ninjutsu classes!

Rating:
Summary: Eh..
Review: This was the first book I got on ninjutsu when I started studying it 3 years ago. If you are interested or training in ninjutsu this is a must read book! It will first teach you the junan-taiso, which is the conditioning and stretching. Then it will teach you basic taijutsu, which is the unarmed combat of the ninja. It also shows you the kamaes, which are the postures of taijutsu. It is a great book that will show you how to use taijutsu one on one, with great step by step instructions and photos. Also you will get into basic jo-staff, tanto, and sword grips. So if your starting out or interested you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK it is probably one of the best and is the easiest to follow.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for beginner ninjutsu practitioners!!!
Review: This was the first book I got on ninjutsu when I started studying it 3 years ago. If you are interested or training in ninjutsu this is a must read book! It will first teach you the junan-taiso, which is the conditioning and stretching. Then it will teach you basic taijutsu, which is the unarmed combat of the ninja. It also shows you the kamaes, which are the postures of taijutsu. It is a great book that will show you how to use taijutsu one on one, with great step by step instructions and photos. Also you will get into basic jo-staff, tanto, and sword grips. So if your starting out or interested you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK it is probably one of the best and is the easiest to follow.