Secrets of the Ninja

Now you see them, now you don't. With over 300 color illustrations, this is a fun introduction to the lifestyles of the deadly and invisible. Modern-day Ninja experts let you in on their centuries-old techniques for meditation, stealth, and generally fighting dirty, as well as the homes, codes, and workouts of Japan's legendary spy elite. You'll even learn what they eat and how they unwind after a tough day of espionage. Peek inside a Ninja's toolbox and discover the ingenious tricks of the trade, like laying traps, hiding in plain sight, and of course, making a clean getaway.

When we think of the ninja stalking their victim at night, we imagine them dressed all in black. In fact, dark blue was the first color of choice. In the bright moonlight, black stands out like a sore thumb. Other colors in the ninja wardrobe included brown and gray, which they would don according to the brightness of the moon. They also kept a set of reversible clothes, which allowed for an immediate disguise if spotted by the enemy.

Hiromitsu Kuroi is the director of the Iga Sect Ninja Association "Kurondo", for which he stages performances and holds workshops. He has traveled widely in his capacity as ninja expert, and has taught in Japan, China, & Australia.