About the Secrets of Ninja Shinobi Teachings of Hattori Hanzo Graphic Novel

(W) Sean Michael Wilson (A/CA) Akiko Shimojima. This historically grounded manga follows the ninja Nagata Saburo as he teaches his son, Hisaaki, the weapons, secret tactics, and values of the ninja. All of the tactics Saburo teaches to his son are drawn from the Shinobi Hiden, the most famous of the 'ninja scrolls' written by Hattori Hanzo, general to the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu and one of the most famous warriors in Japan. These scrolls provided practical instruction for professional ninja, but they also provide insightful theories of social relationships and human interaction, studying the nature of deception, falsehood, and self-protection. As Hisaaki grows from boy to man, Wilson skillfully interweaves real lessons, weapons, and skills used by ninja in feudal Japan, depicted with detail by artist Akiko Shimojima.