The Book of Ninja: The Bansenshukai

Japan's Premier Ninja Manual

By: Antony Cummins, Yoshie Minami

Narrated by: John Chancer

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The first abridged translation of the ultimate Ninja manual—a comprehensive guide to the arts of the ninja, including espionage, warfare, assassination, and more

In 1676, a ninja named Fujibayashi collected and combined information from the ninja clans of Iga—regarded to be the homeland of the ninja—and compiled it into an authoritative book. Known as The Bansenhukai, Fujibayashi's book has now been translated into English by the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team and is widely considered to be the "bible" of ninjutsu, the arts of the ninja.

The Book of Ninja begins with an in-depth introduction to the history of Fujibayashi's scripture. The teachings themselves, appealingly rendered in this translation, then take us into the secrets of guerrilla warfare and espionage. We learn how to become the ultimate spy, whether through a network of spies or by hiding in plain sight. Through the stealth and concealment tactics of night-time infiltration, through weapon and tool building skills, and through mission planning, we can learn much both about warfare and about adopting the right mindset for tackling our own inner and outer enemies. Adding to the mix for the spycraft lover, there are sections on capturing criminals, performing night raids, making secret codes and signs, and even techniques for predicting the weather, and using an esoteric Buddhist system of divination.

An exciting and engaging tome of lost knowledge, The Book of Ninja is the final say in the world of the ninja and the ultimate classic for samurai and ninja enthusiasts alike.

©2013 Antony Cummins (P)2023 Watkins Publishing

a great summary/overview

this abridged version of the Bansenshukai is great. very helpful for giving one a basic understanding of what the work contains and preparing one for the deeper study of the whole work.

5 Stars: I’d read it again.

Some of the subjects spoken about in this book are dated and obviously intended to be helpful in conditions prior to the modern age. However there were other points written with which I found myself fascinated. The tenets of the philosophy (as such) promulgated by this book resonated with a profound sense of common sense and worthy of respect. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in purchasing a book about the ninja. But, between its descriptions, on how to read and interpret certain scenes in a wartime situation, to how to read the weather, sun, moon and stars (constellations), I immediately surmised that this was a collection of the wisdom of many people and distilled across time, who subscribed to an acutely focused set of beliefs. I was actually deeply impressed. As a result, I’ve decided to explore other such similar books. Just respect and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to read books of this nature. I also recently read a book about Confucius and an introductory book to Buddhism. I am profoundly touched by the sublime wisdom that I’ve had the honor to experience, and becoming acquainted with in some of these books. Five stars all the way across, and I would definitely read it again.
In fact, I probably will read it again.

Just as an aside, I shut the speaking speed down to .7, just to help me to focus on the presented principles word by word and to have just a little bit more time to ingest it. The book is most definitely not fake, although obviously written for a time in which it’s primary usefulness was prior to the modern era. Although, if I ever had the opportunity, I’d definitely submit to becoming a student of this teaching, so well was this material presented. I absolutely saw the value of it. Thank you to whoever wrote this. Something is worth reading when it expands your mindset, and this did that. It’s just unfortunate that I wouldn’t know where to even begin to look to find an actual teacher. This, like the life of a Shaolin monk, is something that if I could find a worthwhile teacher, I would dedicate the rest of my life to studying it. Wisdom is something sublime, and something is stirred in me each time I’ve read books of this genre, or about Zen Buddhism. Something of deep respect, akin to reverence, is awakened in me when I’ve immersed myself into these concepts. I hear the voices of many generations of men who’ve come and gone and peered, as though through a spiritual window across time, into the most personal aspects and beliefs of these men, from a different culture and yet, their sheer human-ness is ever present, tangible, almost enough to reach out and touch them. I’m a lifelong Catholic, (and a former US Marine, thus naturally drawn to teachings on warfare strategies and tactics), but most emphatically impressed upon when considering these teachings, that combine, through martial arts, a valuable unifying aspect of the mind, the body, and the spirit. My deepest respect to these men and their teachings.

Fascinating historical espionage piece

I was a little surprised to find that while the technical information was quite out of date, the bulk of the principles in this book seem sound. Absolutely a must-read for adventure-thriller authors!