The Earliest Hatsumi
Few realize multi-media ambassador and curator of modern ninjutsu Masaaki Hatsumi’s first exposure in the Western world came in a 1961 issue of a pulp fiction rag…
Why did it take me so long to write about THE GREAT KABUKI?
Akihisa Mera is a name unknown to most ninja-maniacs — he never starred in a martial arts film, was never featured in the pages of Black Belt, never consulted at a Bujinkan seminar. Yet he is one of the most … Continued
Turnbull calls BULL!
Stephen Turnbull, noted author of ninja books from a military history perspective, riddles his former work with shuriken in the remarkable new NINJA: UNMASKING THE MYTH.
New from Kosugi and Firstenberg
Sho Kosugi returns to home video with a series of training DVDs via Masters Magazine! An expansion on his 1980’s VHS release Master Class, The Art of Hollywood Ninja Action Film Making is a five part ‘course’ on ninja-centric choreography and … Continued
8 ninja vendors I accidentally found on Etsy
I had never even been on Etsy before last Christmas, when a friend who practically lives on there turned me on to some jewelry crafters for Christmas gifts. So while there, I did a quick “ninja” and “shinobi” search and what … Continued
NINJA DART BOARDS
One staple of martial arts mail order that not only made the transition from the kung-fu 70s to the ninja 80s was the dart board. What started as “Chinese throwing star target boards” quickly transitioned into the profoundly more successful … Continued
This post BLOWS!
From our friends at Vintage Nunchaku comes a feature on a critical piece of survival equipment that helped us get through the 1980s — The Jivaro Blowgun. The Jivaro Blowgun: This was serious “ninja stuff.” First of all you had to … Continued
The oldest days of the Shuriken trade
We’re delighted to present the first of hopefully many editorial exchanges with the superb VINTAGE NUNCHAKU community — found on Facebook here. This ‘other VN’ is the best fountain of info anywhere on old mail order advertising from the kung-fu craze … Continued
A phenomenal vintage weaponry collection
Love vintage mail-order weaponry and training gear from the 80’s ninja craze? Want to completely lose your shit? Then click on this link and read the short article LOFT TREASURES AND YOUTHFUL MEMORIES: MY BROTHER & I WERE NINJA WARRIORS … Continued
Crude weapons from ENTER
Scored this odd publicity still, which is not in the usual press kits I’ve found from Enter the Ninja. It’s kind of a dingy, soft pic that may have been left on the cutting room floor somewhere. But while the quality is … Continued