In reviewing Takamatsu-sensei's observations on the teachings of the Toda family grandmasters of Togakure ryu, it quickly becomes apparent that the tales portraying ninja as cold-hearted, criminally-minded, professional murderers are grossly exaggerating the true story of Japan's history. Certainly, previous centuries in Japan did have their share of assassins, thieves, and saboteurs who imitated the physical ways of the ninja and would perform any task for the right amount of money. Without moral and spiritual guidance from the head of a major ninjutsu ryu or clan, however, these desperate persons were not even shadows of the true ninja of Japan, and therefore do not concern us at all.