Three Classic Texts of Ninjutsu

For those lovers of Ninjutsu out there who may not know much of the historical roots of this art, there are three texts which survive from the age of the Ninja and which are considered deinfative text by Scholars of Ninjutsu. These three texts are the Bansenshukai, Ninpiden and the Shoninki.

When examining these texts one will notice the Chinese origins of much of the materials on strategy, tactics and the use of spies and fire (kajutsu or kyakujutsu). These texts base this material on the Sunzi Bingfa or Sun Tzu's Art of War, the deifinitaive Chinese military classic. Sun Tzu is known as Sonshi in Japanese.

Here's a link to a copy of the Bansenshukai, however please note that this is all in (old) Japanese. The good news is that it has some pictures of Ninja equipment, climatic conditions (Tenmon) and other bits and pieces.

It is interesting that Hensojutsu, or the art of diguise and impersonation, is called yojutsu or yonin, and that Shinobi Iri, or arts of stealth and covert entry, are refered to as injutsu or innin.
As such disguise is a yang or yo art, whereas stealth is a yin or in art.

Partial translations of the Bansenshukai, Ninpiden and the Shoninki. can be found here.