We specialize in hard to find items
All Categories
Shadow Spirituality: The Religious Influences on Ninjutsu and a History of the Warrior Monks of Japan
Share Tweet
*Price and Stocks may change without prior notice
*Packaging of actual item may differ from photo shown
- Electrical items MAY be 110 volts.
- 7 Day Return Policy
- All products are genuine and original
About Shadow Spirituality: The Religious Influences On
Japan has a rich tradition of warrior arts and spirituality. This books details the influences between the two worlds. Whether it be a ninja praying to Marishiten, a samurai meditating while contemplating a mandala, or a warrior monk preparing to launch into battle, they all nodded their head to a greater power than them.The first half of this book centers around the ninja and their religious influences. Many things were also followed by the samurai, but there are some things that were more associated with the shadow warriors of Iga and Koga than with conventional soldiers. The hand positions, chants, and images they meditated on are covered. So are the charms and beliefs they engaged in. Meant for those with little background in the subject, it starts with basic explanations of the major religions of Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, and then moves on to deeper aspects such as the esoteric and hidden side of Buddhism and the particular form of Shinto worshiped within the Kuki family. This is is not a how to manual, but rather geared towards those that wish to understand why certain things are done in more traditional arts in Japan, particularly that of ninjutsu. As an example, the mysterious art of kuji-kiri, where the fingers are entwined to channel the power of the Buddhas is detailed and explained, with warnings that it must be actually learned from a competent teacher.The second half of the book deals with the history and reality of the warrior monks of Japan. There are many mistaken impressions in the West about these men who had one foot in religious studies and the other on the battlefield. Even in Japan, there are mistaken impressions. This work takes the latest research from Japan and makes it available in English for the general audience.
