User:Snori/Shoninki-old

Shōninki (正忍記) is one of the three great books of ninjutsu along with Bansenshukai and Shinobi Hiden. Shōninki was written by Fujibayashi Masatake also known as Natori Masazumi, a master ninja who directed the Kishū clan school in the seventeenth century. Shōninki is called the authentic manual of the ninja because it represents a basic guide for ninjutsu practice. However the topics inside this book are only a brief introduction; they have to be explained by a master in order to transmit the whole knowledge. It is important to mention that without the correct perspective the text can contradict itself, but you have to keep in mind that the objective of the ninja is to accomplish his mission no matter the methods. Although the text is not very long, it explains the soul of ninjutsu. It is very useful for those that want to learn more than just techniques.

Content
This book was secret for a long time, even in Japan; its content is written in a specific context in which a mistake could cost the life of the ninja. Its esoteric content also has to be interpreted correctly; the reputation that the ninjas had was based in the fear of the people. That means that many legends about them were invented by themselves for their own benefits. This book also mentions some practices as physiognomy, astrology, traditional astronomy and the Taoist doctrine of the five elements. The Shōninki is divided in the Introduction and in three rolls or chapters:

Shōninki jo
In this chapter is established the objective of the Shōninki, also it defines the origin of ninjutsu and some types of spies.

Shōninki shokan
This chapter includes subchapters like "Walking in the Night" (Yomichi no koto) in which it is explained how to walk in the night without using light or how to react if one meets with someone, "Teachings of Wolves and Foxes" (Korō no michi no narai) in which is established how a shinobi or ninja has to travel, this chapter makes reference to the way this animals behave as an example for the ninja in order to be as natural as possible and thus not to be detected. Also in the same chapter exists another teaching based in animals, it's called "The Teachings of Oxen and Horses" (Gyūba no Tsutae no Koto) in which the teachings contradict the "Teachings of Wolves and Foxes", because they establish that sometimes it's better for the ninja to act completely natural as a horse within the crowd. Remember that a ninja would use any method for accomplishing his objective.

Shōninki chūkan
In this chapter, we can find an example of the perseverance of a ninja, in the subchapter "The art of revealing the true intentions" (Hito ni ri o tsuka narai no koto) is explained that in order to know the true intentions of someone no matter if the ninja had to interact with him for days. Another couple of important subchapters are: "Recognize the Character of an Individual" (Ninsū o shire koto) and "The Three Parts of the Body" (Mottai ni santei aru koto). In these chapters is explained how a ninja could recognize the true intentions of someone and also the character of someone by just a look, beyond the emotional state in which he is at that moment. This knowledge is based in the study of physiognomy ; some characteristics like a small head, or disproportionated dimensions are related to a bad character, however in the text is explained how to interpret different characteristics.

Shōninki gekan
This chapter is shorter but includes a couple of fundamental terms, in the subchapter "Most Secret Principles" (Goku hiden) the term "sepenbanka" is explained, it consists in the adaptation of the ninja depending on the situation, this term is one of the most important because it defines the survival of the ninja. An other important subchapter is "The art of Letting go" (Rijutsuhō) here is explained that the most important for the ninja is to be harmonious, not to be affected by the environment, by understanding correctly this term, we will understand the success of the ninja.