Video Interview: Antony Cummins – Author & Ninja Historian

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Video Interview: Antony Cummins – Author & Ninja Historian

February 10, 2012 Diverse Japan Leave a comment Go to comments

Antony Cummins disples the many myths surrounding the ninja!

For centuries the legend of the ninja has been steeped in mystery, infused by lies fabricated in Japan throughout the 50’s and 60’s, not to mention the countless films produced in the West and Middle East during the 70’s and 80’s making stars of actors like Sho Kosugi (Pray For Death and Revenge of the Ninja).

The image of the ninja dressed in black from head to toe scurrying up walls with a katana on his back has now embedded itself within modern folklore and still manages to be misrepresented in Hollywood films like The Last Samurai. Needless to say, the ‘real’ truth behind the mask of the ninja is much more fascinating.

Author, historian and explorer Antony Cummins has dedicated his life to studying the history of the ninja and, along with the other members of the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team, is responsible for presenting for the first time to an English speaking audience, manuals and other historical works which reveal many of the covert teachings of the ninja.

With a generous running time of 40 minutes, Mr. Cummins shares with us some of his findings and insights into the life of the ninja.

Interviewer: Spencer Lloyd Peet (Administrator)

(Click image)

About Antony Cummins:

Antony Cummins MA was born in Lancashire, England and has a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and a Masters Degree in Archaeology, both of which were obtained at the Victoria University of Manchester. Antony is also a published author, historian, artist, illustrator and TV co-host.

Overall, some of his greatest moments have included; searching Japan for the hidden history of the ninja and interviewing some of the most prominent figures in ninja history, living with the Tonga people of Ghana, Africa to establish a correct chronology and proven historical culture for the tribe as part of the Archaeological team under Professor T. Insoll, sailing the Tall Ship Royalist as Bosun for the Sea Cadet Corps of Britain, including the 2008 Tall Ships Race.

Antony currently lives between England and Japan and is in the process of translating a myriad of Japanese manuals with his co-author Yoshie Minami.

(Biography taken from http://www.natori.co.uk/)