Copyright © 2012 by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami. All rights reserved. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise— without written permission of the publisher. For information contact Blue Snake Books c/o North Atlantic Books. Published by Blue Snake Books, an imprint of North Atlantic Books P.O. Box 12327 Berkeley, California 94712 Cover image: Evening Dew, no. 9 of the “Barometer of Emotions” woodblock-print series, by Yoshitoshi (1876) Cover design by Jayson Kane The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi: Hattori Hanzo’s Shinobi Hiden and Other Ninja Scrolls is sponsored by the Society for the Study of Native Arts and Sciences, a nonprofit educational corporation whose goals are to develop an educational and cross-cultural perspective linking various scientific, social, and artistic fields; to nurture a holistic view of arts, sciences, humanities, and healing; and to publish and distribute literature on the relationship of mind, body, and nature. PLEASE NOTE: The creators and publishers of this book disclaim any liabilities for loss in connection with following any of the practices, exercises, and advice contained herein. To reduce the chance of injury or any other harm, the reader should consult a professional before undertaking this or any other martial arts, movement, meditative arts, health, or exercise program. The instructions and advice printed in this book are not in any way intended as a substitute for medical, mental, or emotional counseling with a licensed physician or healthcare provider. The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows: The secret traditions of the shinobi: Hattori Hanzo’s Shinobi hiden and other ninja scrolls / edited and translated by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami. p. cm. eISBN: 978-1-58394-519-3 1. Ninja. 2. Ninjutsu. 3. Military art and science—Japan. I. Cummins, Antony. II. Minami, Yoshie. UB271.J3S44 2012 355.5’48—dc23 2012012313 v3.1 Acknowledgments For their contributions and gracious help with the Gunpo Jiyoshu commentary and annotation, we would like to thank Professor Tesshi Furukawa (Tokyo University and International Budo University), Professor Takashi Uozumi (International Budo University), and Associate Professor Hisato Haga (International Budo University). We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Daisuke Doi for his works on the Yoshimori Hyakushu, which we used for reference. CONTENTS Cover Title Page Copyright Acknowledgments Editors’ Preface Part One: THE SHINOBI HIDEN Commentary THE SHINOBI HIDEN VOLUME I The Traditions of Iga and Koka The Way of All Things That Pertain to the Shinobi The Art of Fire-Carrying Devices The Way of Shinobi Torches Important Points within the Shinobi Arts Shinobi Tools Controlling Powders The Art of Kuruma Arai THE SHINOBI HIDEN VOLUME II The Secret Ways of Shinobi Tools The Lightweight Torch The Greater Fire-Carrying Tool The Lesser Fire-Carrying Tool The Art of Making Sickles The Sickle Saw The Iron Machete The Door-Opening Tool The Drill The Large Saw The Anchor The Tied Ladder The Floating Bridge The Small Saw The Sound Amplifier Caltrops The Underwater Helmet The Underwater Sound Amplifier The Underwater Helmet II The Large Country Fire Arrow The Leather Floating Aid The Long Leather Bag An Explanation of Magical Medicine The Recipe The Finish The Usage The Effects The Shinobi THE SHINOBI HIDEN VOLUME III The Tools of the Shinobi Hiden The Tinderbox Smoldering Materials and Carrying Embers The Striking Steel The 4-Sun Fuse Cylinder The Night-Attack Fire Tool The Ninja Infiltration Light The Attack Torch Torch Hilts The Probing Iron The Extendable Key The Winged Key The Shield The Lever The Sturdy Sickle The Hatchet Chisel Edges Gimlets with Triangular or Square Cross-Sections for Puncturing Holes The Thin Gimlet for Puncturing Holes The Nail Remover Wheel Caltrops String Caltrop Trains Bows and Arrows The Measuring Rope Depth Measurement The Descending Ladder The Fire-Hiding Bridge The Flowing Bridge The Rollaway Ladder The Digging Tool The Forged-Tip Tool The Long Bag The Folding Grapple The Hammer Arrows The Adze The Basic Burning Torch Silk Floss Chirori On Small Birds Bamboo Contraptions Fire within the Hand THE SHINOBI HIDEN VOLUME IV Secret Teachings on Preparing Shinobi Missions The Skill of Au Awazu The Deepest Secrets of Infiltrating Monkey Infiltrating Crossing a Moat and Capturing the Castle Tower Opening a Gate Opening a Door on Which Rests a Timber Brace Sneaking into Places and Past People Walking on a Shingled Roof The Secret Teachings on Covert Activity Wood Clappers Calling Loudly with Your Voice Setting Fire Setting Free the Horses THE “LOST” SHINOBI SCROLL OF THE NAGATA TEXT Part Two: THE KOKA RYU NINJUTSU DENSHO Commentary THE KOKA RYU NINJUTSU DENSHO The Art of the Divine Arrow Windmill Hiding Ritual The Five Types of Practical Training The Seven Forms of Infiltration The Art of Shrinking Great Distances The Art of Hiding The Spell [of Concealment] Part Three: THE THREE SHINOBI SCROLLS OF THE GUNPO JIYOSHU Commentary THE FIRST SHINOBI SCROLL OF THE GUNPO JIYOSHU All Clans Should Have a Man of Iga and Koka Serve Them Things to Consider When You Send Out a Shinobi What Kind of People You Should Send as Shinobi What Those Who Go on Shinobi Missions Should Keep in Mind Things to Remember When on Your Shinobi Mission How a Shinobi Should Equip and Dress Himself Supplement: How to Get Information about Your Area of Interest A Shinobi Should Carry Fire What You Should Wear for Shinobi Missions Supplement: You Should Carry Food Know Where Water Is The Five Principles for a Shinobi Traditions of the Shinobi From Which Direction You Should Steal In You Should Rely on a Shinobi for Guidance Supplement: The Need to Unify with a Beginner The Three Call Signs of the Shinobi Where Many Dogs Are Found About Torches The Regular-Use Torch The 5-Ri Torch Water Torches Palm Torches Cloth Torches Throwing Attack Torches The Brazier The Shield Torch