Shinobi - Winds of the 34 Generations Special Edition

 From the people who brought us the original documentary "Shinobi - Winds of the 34 Generations" comes an updated 2-disc special edition. The special edition has lots to offer that the original did not. If it is as good as the first it is sure to be worth the $59.95 price tag.

 You can read more about this fantastic and informative documentary here at their homepage. Please feel free to check out the trailer below.

 I found this video trailer on YouTube here.

 It may be worth noting that they also sell a very nice pair of rubber training shuko (hand claws).

Ninjutsu Product Review: Dragon Fury Katana

 This review is for the Dragon Fury Katana by Musashi. I purchased the sword from trueswords.com and I've seen it on other sites by different names so it could be called something else if you go through someone other than the site I bought it from. Trueswords.com is a great company that I will deffinately go through again but I'll save my review of them for another article.


 This katana is awesome! It is elegant and beutiful, not to mention sharp, well balanced and of suberb craftsmanship. I really couldn't be happier. The series of swords from Musashi that this particular katana comes from were crafted with the intent of bringing the highest quality katana to the consumer at the lowest possible price. They are very nicely done and are NOTHING like those cheaply made swords you find in most stores or sites for around the same price. This katana looks, feels, and performs like one of it's really expensive counterparts.


 Here are the specs from Musashi :

• Fully Functional "Battle Ready" (they aren't kidding!)
• High Carbon Steel Blade
• Thoroughly Tempered the Water-Cooled for Consistent Hardness
• Can Be Completely Disassembled
• Measures 40.5" w/Saya and 39" w/o
• Blade is 28.25"
• Full Tang w/Dual Pegs Offering Better Stability
• Brass Seppa (spacers) and Habaki (blade collar)
• Other Fittings Are Made From A Zinc Alloy (this is one way they keep costs/price low)
• Real Same (Ray skin on handle, beneath the wrap)
• Nicely Detailed Tsuba (hand guard)

 The best thing is this sword, with all the high-end features that it has only cost me around $60! You're probably thinking "Yeah right, at that price this katana is probably horrible". Nope! I would recommend this katana to anyone who is looking for a great, high quality katana without breaking the bank.


 This thing also cuts really well and I plan to put up a video of me doing some cutting with it. Just have to wait for more tameshigiri mats to come in! Here are some pictures for you in the meantime.

 

A detailed view of the tsuka (handle) 

A detailed view of the tsuba (hand guard). Notice the great polish on the saya! (scabbard). 

Detailed view of the habaki (blade collar).

  

Detailed view of the kissaki (blade tip).

That pretty much sums up my review of the Dragon Fury Katana. I hope you found this article helpful!

Ninjutsu Product Review : Shinobi - Winds of the 34 Generations

 This documentary was great! It was very informative and I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. Lots of history and interviews from many of Ninjutsu's most prominent figures.

 I particularly enjoyed the footage taken during training with Soke at the hombu dojo.

 If you are looking at purchasing this great documentary I would say it is a must have for any Ninjutsu enthusiast!
You can see more about it or pick it up here.

Ninjutsu Product Review: Ninjutsu Home Study Course (IBDA)

My friend and I ordered the Ninjutsu Black Belt Home Study Course back in 1999. I think we saw an ad for it in Black Belt magazine. It was a bit pricey ($379.00 at the time) especially for two teenagers, but we eventually came up with enough to order it. And we're glad that we did.

We didn't have the option of the DVD version and it's a shame as the VHS tapes are fine but the quality of DVD is much better. The set came with the ten video tapes, a pretty well put together manual (that was great for quick reference), a shoulder patch (still on my uniform after all this time so as to show it's quality), a year membership to the International Bujinkan Dojo, and it was supposed to have included a Japanese pronunciation audio tape but it wasn't in the package.

The videos themselves are pretty well put together. The intoductions for each of the videos were the same and while the graphics may have been a little choppy the demonstrations of some of the more advanced techniques were pretty cool.

The instruction that came from the videos was great. All of it was explained in detail really well and the video quality was really good. I was very pleased and don't regret the purchase whatsoever.

My advice to anyone debating on whether or not to order the Ninjutsu Black Belt Home Study Course is to buy it and enjoy the great instruction it has to offer!