Shōninki

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Shōninki

The Shōninki is a medieval Japanese ninja manual from Kishū province, written in 1681 by Natori Masatake. It explains espionage techniques used by the Kishū shinobi and is one of the three major surviving ninja texts, along with the Bansenshukai and Ninpiden. An original copy is kept in the State Library of Tokyo.

Contents:
- Preface (Jo): discusses different types of spies and the principles of espionage.
- Shomaki (First scroll): basic skills such as disguise, concealment, housebreaking, and information gathering.
- Chumaki (Second scroll): defense against enemy spies, understanding human nature, physiognomy, recognizing true intentions, and laying false trails.
- Gemaki (Third scroll): concerns one’s own emotional states as well as those of others, including godai (five elements/philosophical concepts).
- Okusho (Epilogue): wraps up.