( 7 reviews )
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( 0 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: 07-04-2008
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.
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( 6 of 8 found this review helpful ) Posted: 11-21-2005
Ninja were born and trained in families devoted to the study and practice of ninjutsu as their profession. Secrecy was the foundation upon which all successful ninja defended. Rigid security measures began at the very root of all ninja organizations. In Ninjutsu The Art of Invisibility, Donn Draeger reveals the secrets and history of the ninja. In their training the ninja became extremely physically fit. The ninja could cover extremely long distances in a very short time, or walk in absolute silence using ten special walking techniques revealed by Donn Draeger. The ninja trained hard to become a competent woodsman, to have the ability to live off the land. The ninja developed skills with medicines that made him his own doctor. He could allay and cure the effects of insect bites, poisons, internal disorders and general ailments. Donn Draeger reveals many of the tools and weapons of the ninja such as the ninja-sword and the shuriken. Beyond this most people of the day believed the ninja to be sorcerers and magicians with power and mastery over the forces of nature. The occult powers of the ninja were spoken of in quiet whispers... and this gave the ninja even greater power over his enemies. We read of the ninja's ability to become invisible, and Donn Draeger gives us the ten rules of a ninja's invisibility. Finally we are presented with stories of ninja missions in fact and in legend. In Ninjutsu The Art of Invisibility, Donn Draeger has given us a well-written overview of ninjutsu. For the reader who wants an easy-to-read introduction to ninjutsu, this book is highly recommended.
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( 3 of 11 found this review helpful ) Posted: 02-28-2005
This book is a nice read, but some parts were incorrect. First of all, there was no ninja costume in Japan's history. No black hood, no black suit or anything. Why would a ninja wanna wear such costumes that says, "hey everyone, I'm a ninja."? Next is the ninja sword. There is no ninja sword in history too. Why? Because it's a giveaway. Nevertheless, this book was fun and I completed it in one day.
