PART ONE
The Preface to the Shoninki
正忍記 序
Shoninki Jo
This introduction to the Shoninki sets the foundation for what a shinobi is in the minds of the ninja themselves. Natori takes you through what it means to train as a ninja and what it means to live your life by the ways of the shinobi.
Having worked in secret on this covert book, Natori visited a high-ranking samurai of his clan late in the night, asking for words to accompany the secret arts of the ninja, arts that would be handed down from father to son. Katsuda Kakyusai Yoshin was the name of this samurai—a warrior we know nothing about. He did as Natori asked and wrote a preface for this shinobi text. This preface gives us a great insight into what the samurai thought of those who trained as ninjas. Even back then, in feudal Japan, we can see that the samurai believed that a ninja could disappear into the black of the night, becoming “invisible”—a testament to the skills of stealth accredited to the legendary ninja.
It has been many years since the basis for the arts of the shinobi soldiers were developed and brought into existence. The arts of the shinobi soldier are a rudder in the planning of a strategy and the key to success for all tacticians. Also, the shinobi have vital information on whether to advance or retreat and the advantages and disadvantages of a given situation. Could any warrior neglect or disregard this?
The art of the ninja deals with the most perilous situations and instructs on how to survive the most agonizing of endeavors. When being challenged at night by a night patrol and the shinobi is not a very capable one, if he cannot manage a situation in a tactful and eloquent way; if he cannot do it without feeling any sense of panic; if he is weak—he will not be able to achieve his goal of deception. If you entrust the wrong person with a critical task, the result will be disastrous, almost as if you had given your men to the enemy, or gave a thief your food and rations. Therefore, you should select the best recruits for ninjutsu training and give them discipline.
Lately, Toissui Masatake has recorded this secret document on the art of ninpei by his own hand. The esoteric way of this writing is extremely scrupulous and subtle. If you attentively trust in and perform these ninjutsu skills, there wouldn’t be a single warrior you couldn’t deceive, no matter how prudent and discreet he was. Doubtlessly you would be able to take hold of the enemy by your tactics and have complete control over them. You can do this by having them “eat out of the palm of your hand” at will. It seems almost magical, this art of night stealth that enables you to make yourself invisible in the black of night.
One day, after he finished the manual, he brought it to me discreetly and asked me to write a preface for it. As I am not on the same path as he is and thus, lacking in good judgment to be able to fulfill this request, I tried to turn it down, but he didn’t allow me to refuse. Therefore, I am obliged hereby to provide these words and to preface this document, though it seems redundant because of my lack of understanding.
延宝九年 初秋哉生明
The year of 1681 (Enpo 9), the 3rd day of the lunar calendar in early autumn
紀城散人 勝田何求斎養真 之を書す
Written by Katsuda Kakyusai Yoshin, Warrior* of the Kishu Domain
* Literally, "freeman." The kanji used in this name was also used to denote an artist."