This informative martial arts book, Ninja Weapons introduces the exciting and deadly secrets of ninjutsu--the chain and the shuriken. The Masaki school of chain fighting was developed in the feudal society of the early eighteenth century by a swordsman-sentry in Edo (Tokyo) Castle. Feeling that the shedding of blood in such a hallowed place would be disgraceful, he devised the combat use of the weighted chain. Even the name he gave to the art proves the trust he placed in its effectiveness--manrikigusari (chain with the power of ten thousand). The equally devastating art of shuriken, the throwing of metal stars and spikes, evolved shortly after manrikigusari. The easily concealed shuriken soon became known as an extremely effective weapon for both shinobi and samurai warriors. Included are "The Samurai Creed," various techniques, the history of the arts and over 100 black and white photos and illustrations.

"Did ninja really use shuriken, or throwing stars? Did female ninja carry fans made of steel? Find out what's myth and what's history as this title explores the tools and weapons of the ninja"--

It's all here, from knife fighting skills to wielding the sickle and chain. This is the "official" guide to the combat tools and forbidden secrets of Japan's ninja clans! The author, Charles Daniel, is a yodan in taijutsu. Mr. Daniel is well-known for his articles and books on European and Asian weapons and fighting arts.

This illuminating study of martial arts techniques, philosophies, and lifestyles demystifies one of the most misunderstood figures in Japanese history—the ninja. A landmark collection of shinobi texts featuring 70 illustrations and 100 poems representing some of the oldest ninjutsu writings in the world The shinobi, or ninja, is one of the most widely recognized figures in the world of espionage—and also one of the most misrepresented. What do we really know about the historical shinobi, his tactics, and his role in medieval Japanese society? In The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi, these questions—and many more—are answered. Translated into English for the very first time, this widely sought-after collection of historical documents brings to light the secret practices, techniques, philosophies, and lifestyles of the shinobi. Included are: • the Shinobi Hiden, or “Secret Ninja Tradition”, a documentation of techniques commonly attributed to one of the best-known ninja masters, Hattori Hanzo; • the Koka Ryu Ninjutsu Densho, a small but important work from the Edo period that reveals the realm of ninja magic and spells; • the three shinobi scrolls of the Gunpo Jiyoshu, a manual enthusiastically promoted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun of Japan; • 100 poems written between the 12th and 15th centuries—making them the oldest collection of written ninjutsu information in the world • 70 historical black-and-white illustrations depicting ninja tools and weapons. The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi will enthrall martial artists eager to learn the real skills of the shinobi, as well as anyone interested in this exciting period of Japanese history and espionage.

To become a ninja master, one needs discipline, a silent footstep, and an impressive personal arsenal. Author and toy designer John Austin shows even "little grasshoppers" how to turn disposable pens, rubber bands, old CDs, toothpicks, erasers, mint tins, and binder clips into miniaturized stealth weaponry. Clothespins, craft sticks, playing cards, pushpins, and recycled milk jug caps make a cotton swab-launching Hwacha Rocket Cart. Rolled magazines, book rings, and duct tape can be fashioned into a set of working but harmless nunchucks. And a carefully folded sheet of paper can become an origami boomerang. This handy resource provides detailed, step-by-step instructions with diagrams to show stealth warriors how to build 37 different ninja weapons for the modern era. All of the projects in MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction 4 are built from common household and office items-plastic utensils, markers, clothespins, paper clips, wire hangers, and discarded packaging-all clearly detailed on materials lists. Builders are offered a variety of samurai stars, blowguns, throwing darts, siege weapons, and ninja tools to choose from. Once they've assembled their armory, the author provides novices several targets to practice their shooting skills. Nested paper cups become a dragon; chopsticks and a paper plate, a tripod bulls-eye. Armed, trained, and shrouded in black, they are now prepared for missions of reconnaissance, sabotage, and other grim errands. John Austin is a professional toy designer and author of MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction series, as well as So Now You're a Zombie. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Did ninja really use shuriken, or throwing stars? Did female ninja carry fans made of steel? Find out what is myth and what is fact while exploring the tools and weapons of the ninja.

Explores the arsenal of a Ninja warrior and details the development and use of sickles, staffs, polearms, maces, throwing stars, air-propelled and pyrotechnic weaponry, spikes, swords, and chains.