Library's review
'Minutemen,' 'Robin Hoods,' 'citizen warriors,' 'freedom fighters'-not the terms most commonly associated with Japan's ninja. 'Secret assassins' or 'mercenaries-for-hire' are the more frequent descriptions. 'But not true,' says Dr. R. Kelly Hill, Jr.-modern-day ninja, physician, and author of Ninja
The ninja, according to Dr. Hill, were historically family- and society-oriented clans who peacefully tilled the land in a remote corner of Japan until forced to take up arms to defend their territory and way of life against the encroaching armies of the warlords. Under attack by the highly skilled samurai warriors, the ninja developed their uniquely unconventional weapons and methods of fighting that became ninjutsu.
The tradition of defending a way of life against threats is as relevant today as it was 800 years ago, maintains Dr. Hill. Those threats could be in the form of violent physical attack or government repression.
Of all the martial arts that Dr. Hill has encountered, he believes ninjustu represents an art that actually works in close combat. There is no sport or competitive aspect of ninjutsu,'just as one cannot spar with a .45.' And Hill trains for combat, pure and siimple. 'We train in clothes-because that's what peaople wear-and we train in parking lots, woods, even in cars-because that's where people are attacked.'
A quest for a martial art that works in close-combat situations led to Dr. R. Kelly Hill became disillusioned with arts that ill-prepared the student for real-life confrontations. As a deputy sheriff in Harris County, Texas, Hill knows the value of being ready for any attack.
His search for the ultimate self-defense art ended in 1981 when he met his ninjutsu teacher, Stephen K. Hayes, with whom he has been studying ever since. Here was an art that he felt was supremely combat-oriented yet lacked the 'machismo' of other arts. One did only what one had to-and no more. Now the unarmed combat instructor (and medical advisor) to the Houston SWAT team, Hill has the opportunity to teach those practical skills he has learned and perfected.
As a physician, Dr. Hill brings a special knowledge of human anatomy to his ninjtusu training.Tactics revealed in Ninja Knife Fighting show how to target certian parts of the body that will quickly put an end to any attack-without killing your opponent. Dr. Hill served in the Ari Force (1979 to 1982) as a flight surgeon and is currently a reserve flight surgeon for the Green Berets (Special Forces).
Night falls. Suddenly the glint of cold steel slashes through the darkness. the threat is very real, but are you ready? In this original and heavily photographed volume, modern-day ninja Dr. R. HIll, Jr., will show you how to become the self-reliant person you'd like to be. You won't learn esoteric knife moves better confined to the dojo or sports arena, but practical training skills and techniques meant for actual close combat.
You'll benefit from Dr. Hill's specialized knowledge of anatomy-how to target areas of the body that will stop any attack fast. Learn about selecting a knife, different grips, training targets and drills, physical conditioning, and the four ninja response modes-Earth, Wind, Fire and Water-that will give you the strategic and tactical flexibility you need. If you ever carry a knife, plan to carry one, or will ever be where you might be confronted by cold steel, you can't afford to delay your training another day!
Contents
Foreword
The ninja traditin, past andpresent
Knife selection and carriage
Grips and their assessment
Anatomy and target selection
Four ninja response modes
Earth mode
Water mode
Fire mode
Wind mode
The real fight
Training targets and drills
Physical conditioning for combat
Mental and spiritual training for the warrio
Show More
Knife Fighting. Such a picture of the nijnja is totally inaccurate and the direct result of a biased history written by the ninja's ancient enemies and victors, the samurai.The ninja, according to Dr. Hill, were historically family- and society-oriented clans who peacefully tilled the land in a remote corner of Japan until forced to take up arms to defend their territory and way of life against the encroaching armies of the warlords. Under attack by the highly skilled samurai warriors, the ninja developed their uniquely unconventional weapons and methods of fighting that became ninjutsu.
The tradition of defending a way of life against threats is as relevant today as it was 800 years ago, maintains Dr. Hill. Those threats could be in the form of violent physical attack or government repression.
Of all the martial arts that Dr. Hill has encountered, he believes ninjustu represents an art that actually works in close combat. There is no sport or competitive aspect of ninjutsu,'just as one cannot spar with a .45.' And Hill trains for combat, pure and siimple. 'We train in clothes-because that's what peaople wear-and we train in parking lots, woods, even in cars-because that's where people are attacked.'
A quest for a martial art that works in close-combat situations led to Dr. R. Kelly Hill became disillusioned with arts that ill-prepared the student for real-life confrontations. As a deputy sheriff in Harris County, Texas, Hill knows the value of being ready for any attack.
His search for the ultimate self-defense art ended in 1981 when he met his ninjutsu teacher, Stephen K. Hayes, with whom he has been studying ever since. Here was an art that he felt was supremely combat-oriented yet lacked the 'machismo' of other arts. One did only what one had to-and no more. Now the unarmed combat instructor (and medical advisor) to the Houston SWAT team, Hill has the opportunity to teach those practical skills he has learned and perfected.
As a physician, Dr. Hill brings a special knowledge of human anatomy to his ninjtusu training.Tactics revealed in Ninja Knife Fighting show how to target certian parts of the body that will quickly put an end to any attack-without killing your opponent. Dr. Hill served in the Ari Force (1979 to 1982) as a flight surgeon and is currently a reserve flight surgeon for the Green Berets (Special Forces).
Night falls. Suddenly the glint of cold steel slashes through the darkness. the threat is very real, but are you ready? In this original and heavily photographed volume, modern-day ninja Dr. R. HIll, Jr., will show you how to become the self-reliant person you'd like to be. You won't learn esoteric knife moves better confined to the dojo or sports arena, but practical training skills and techniques meant for actual close combat.
You'll benefit from Dr. Hill's specialized knowledge of anatomy-how to target areas of the body that will stop any attack fast. Learn about selecting a knife, different grips, training targets and drills, physical conditioning, and the four ninja response modes-Earth, Wind, Fire and Water-that will give you the strategic and tactical flexibility you need. If you ever carry a knife, plan to carry one, or will ever be where you might be confronted by cold steel, you can't afford to delay your training another day!
Contents
Foreword
The ninja traditin, past andpresent
Knife selection and carriage
Grips and their assessment
Anatomy and target selection
Four ninja response modes
Earth mode
Water mode
Fire mode
Wind mode
The real fight
Training targets and drills
Physical conditioning for combat
Mental and spiritual training for the warrio
Show Less
ISBN
873643178
Publication
Paladin Press Boulder, Colorado