The Best Books to learn Ninjutsu

If you want to learn more about Ninjutsu outside of the dojo, then we have you covered. Here are the 10 best Ninjutsu books that we have found to improve your learning. As the saying goes, knowledge is power so don’t confine yourself to just training in person. Remember, martial arts are based on an open mind and constant progression so with this said, you would be foolish to ignore the vast array of literature on Ninjutsu. From the physical side of combat to the warfare tactics, to the spiritual aspects of training – this guide has it all and we have you covered.

Want to know the top 10 books on Ninjutsu? Read on and look no further…

The Illustrated Ninja Handbook by Remigiusz Borda

This book is ideal for learning about the fighting tactics of Ninja’s and as the title suggests, it’s all illustrated too. Sometimes, descriptions are helpful but without visual aids, it can be difficult to try and learn purely by reading. Because of this, The Illustrated Ninja Handbook has you covered. This book is ideal for beginners too as it covers a lot of the basics and is quite basic in its approach. It is basically a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate Ninjutsu into a fighting scenario.

Sonshi – The Art of War in Ninjutsu by James Loriega

A big part of Ninjutsu is about warfare, both mentally and physically. When we think of fighting, we often think of a physical battle – however, Ninjutsu is known for taking a wider stance when it comes to war. Going back hundreds of years, or thousands according to some, the idea of Ninjutsu was to win wars by strategy and stealth. This book will not teach the practical fighting methods that are found in the previous book. Instead, it is a historical approach based on how the philosophy of Ninjutsu was used to defeat its enemies in feudal Japan. For history buffs, Sonshi has you covered.

Ninja – The Unofficial secret manual by Stephen Turnbull

This is another book that is based on the historical elements of Ninjutsu. The nice thing about it is that it also uses illustrations. This shows what it was really like to live like a Ninja and behave like one. Unlike Sonshi, this guide is also comparable to modern-day. It doesn’t just look at history but it also applies it to the present. Even though these stealth methods maybe hundreds of years old, they are still relevant in today’s society. Because of this, it looks at the cultural impact of Ninja life and how it has affected much of the world.

Ninjutsu – Secret Tactics, Techniques & Mindset Concepts From The Ancient Japanese Ninja by Tim Delavier

Returning to the practical elements, Delavier’s book is quite a brief look at Ninjutsu at only 52 pages long. Because of this, it may not be suitable for advanced practitioners of Ninjutsu. However, don’t let it put you off, if you are brand new or just intrigued then arguably this book is for you. This book does a quick but effective look at how Ninjutsu works as well as the history. It features parts on the training, weaponry, and spiritual side of Ninjutsu.

Ninja Skills by Antony Cummings

Ninja Skills is incredibly practice-focused and moves away from looking back at the lineage. In terms of depth, it is very deep as it features over 150 moves and breaks down exactly how to do them. Not only this but it also has pictures alongside each move, so it’s very easy to follow. Simply put, if you wanted to learn straight away and don’t care about the mental side of things, then this book is for you. For those who are struggling to get to a dojo and train in person, it offers a great alternative. Even for advanced practitioners, this book is a great read.

Ninja – Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan by Kacem Zoughari

Returning to the historical side of things, Zoughari sets a task of explaining the true origins and elements of Ninjutsu. This book is based on uncovering the myths and legends that surround the martial art. Whether you believe it’s good or bad, the reality is that Ninjutsu has a lot of different accounts about its practices. Even in today’s age, it has a lot of conflicting information about what is legitimate and what is not. Zoughari does a good job of researching the truths and falsehoods that surround Ninjutsu.

Secret Tactics by Kazumi Tabata

Secret Tactics is a good account of both the physical and spiritual side of Ninjutsu. In short, it shows the moves and techniques that are to be taught, as well as looking at the lifestyle of the Ninja. This book shows a comprehensive, well-rounded look at all aspects of Ninjutsu. So, for those who want to learn about the behavioral side of being a Ninja, as well as the practical fighting aspects, Secret Tactics is a good place to start.

Hagakure – The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

This book isn’t specifically based on Ninjutsu but is also focused on Samurai culture in general. As Ninjutsu borrows from the Samurai, this book is a nod to the culture and behavior that Ninja’s would live by. In brief, it shows the moral code of ethics on how to live a stoic life and the principles used to do so. Hagakure also looks at ‘Bushido’ which translates to the ‘Way of the warrior’. Whilst this doesn’t have many practical, training techniques – it is still nonetheless a fascinating read. Even if you’re not into Ninjutsu or martial arts at all, Hagakure is fun to go through.

Aiki Ninjutsu: The Two Fold Path Of The Warrior by Thomas Maienza

This book specifically looks at the Aiki Ninjutsu brand of Ninjutsu. As well as looking back at the historical lifestyle of the Ninja, it also focuses on realistic moves that can be used in today’s environment. As you may have guessed with the Aiki part, it is mostly based on joint-lock submissions. So, if you’re wanting to look into that part of the martial art then Maienza’s book is an ideal starting point. Of course, Ninjutsu has various other avenues to explore which aren’t featured as heavily in this book. With this in mind, please note that this is very submission-focused.

Ninjutsu – Tactics, Principles, and Philosophy: A Commoner’s Guide by D Holmes

As the title says, this book is based on providing the reader with a modern perspective of how Ninjutsu works. Because of this, there’s no flowery language and it’s very straightforward and no-nonsense in that regard. This book looks through all the aspects of the martial art, including warfare tactics, psychological training, and of course, the physical side of things. Holmes is quick to reference his ideas and translations too, so you know you’re in good hands.