Ninja Weapons. Charles Gruzanski

This informative martial arts book, <i>Ninja Weapons</i> introduces the exciting and deadly secrets of ninjutsu&#8212;the chain and the <i>shuriken</i>.<br><br>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&#8212;<i>manrikigusari</i> (chain with the power of ten thousand).<br><br>The equally devastating art of <i>shuriken</i>, the throwing of metal stars and spikes, evolved shortly after <i>manrikigusari</i>. The easily concealed <i>shuriken</i> 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.