Shōninki
The 'Shōninki' ( Japanese 正 忍 記) is a medieval ninja document from Kishū province.
Written by Natori Masatake in 1681 it describes the espionage strategies of the shinobi from Kishū. Together with the Bansenshukai and Ninpiden it is one of three major extant writings of the ninja.[1] An original copy of the Shōninki is in the State Library of Tokyo.
Contents
The Shōninki is divided into Preface (Jo), three scrolls (Shomaki, Chumaki, Gemaki) and an epilogue (Okusho).[2]
In the preface, the author discusses the different types of spies and the principles of espionage.[3]
The first scroll addresses basic skills, such as disguise and concealment, house-breaking and information gathering. The second part deals with defense against enemy spies, human nature, physiognomy, recognizing and eliciting the true intentions of people and laying false trails and clues. The final scroll is concerned with one's own emotional states as well as those of other people.
References
- ^ "Martial arts of the world: an encyclopedia, Volume 2: Ninjutsu", 2001, Thomas A. Green
- ^ Ron, Roy. "Shōninki". Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ "Following the True Path", Mar 3, 2011, Metropolis magazine
Bibliography
- 藤一水子正武, 中島篤巳 (1996). 忍術伝書正忍記. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha. ISBN 978-4404023988.
- Schedler, Claude (2004). Shoninki, Historical secret writing of the Ninja. Norderstedt: Books on Demand GmbH. ISBN 978-3833404146.
- Natori Masazumi (2010). Shoninki: The Secret Teachings of the Ninja. United States. ISBN 978-1594773433.
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- Antony Cummins (2012). True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoninki. Berkeley, California. ISBN 978-1583944356.
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