The Sansetsukon

The Sansetsukon is in essence a larger and more complicated version of the nunchaku. It was designed to offer a better strike, while affording good range, but was also useful for defensive purposes. It is longer than the Japanese bo staff, and only a little shorter then the Chinese gun staff. They were designed for defense against longer reaching weapons like spears, and are useful in both short and longer range martial combat. "Acting as an extension of the users arm, the three sectional staff can strike, block, stab, sweep legs and whip, often with different sections of the staff acting at the same time". Such a lethal weapon could be easily concealed as compared to a bo staff or a sword, and could be utilized very well be a trained professional. Weapons and tools such as these could be handled with deadly efficiency and could easily devastate an opponent. As before, the Ninja used any means their disposal to reach their goals, which helped to ensure their infamous reputation.

http://students.mnmsa.org/~nfredregill/Ninja%20Weapons%20page.html

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The Hankyu -- Japanese Short Bow

Short bows would be used for closer targets, and might be used instead of shuriken, to ensure a quick kill. Also, a bow could be used to fire a grappling hook up to a ledge that is to high to reach normally. All in all,the Hankyu is probably the only Ninja tool, where the options that the weapons provide, aren't already common knowledge.

http://students.mnmsa.org/~nfredregill/Ninja%20Weapons%20page.html

The Shuko

Shuko are gloves with claws coming out of the palms. The exact construction of the gloves features a leather strap holding a flat piece of steel with steel claws coming out of the backing onto the users hands. These claws originally were used to quickly scale things like buildings or trees, very soon however, Ninjas had found another purpose:Combat.As stated before, many Ninja tools that we recognize today were merely re purposed from another tool. The Shuko are no exception.In combat they were used to slash at an enemy, and even stop blades, in the dark this could very be mistaken as the Ninja as stopping the blades with his bare hands, so the use of Shuko could be very demoralizing, and frightening to the average foe. In the end, Shuko are probably some of the most practical tools developed by the Ninja.

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The Nunchaku

Nunchaku are one of the most popular items of all time for almost any martial art. No one really knows where the art of Nunchaku(the martial art) originated, it is believed that it started in China or Okinawa.The origin of the weapon is unknown, but two main theories predominate.One theory is that nunchaku were used to thresh rice, but were converted into weapons. However a more likely theory is that a martial artist cut his staff into three pieces, creating what is commonly known today as a sansetsukon, and that nunchaku evolved from that.A well trained user of nunchaku is very formidable, today many countries have banned nunchaku, including England, Canada, Germany, Norway, Spain, and even in the U.S. owning nunchaku is illegal in New York, Arizona, California and Massachusetts. In the time of the Ninja however it was another useful tool at their disposal.

http://students.mnmsa.org/~nfredregill/Ninja%20Weapons%20page.html

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The Ninjato

This sword, even more than the Katana,is the sword people think of when they hear the word "Ninja". The difference in blade design means that this blade is more useful for stabbing than slicing,but that doesn't mean that it was outside the realm of possibilities. The design of the blade would also allow the user to draw it from their back, like the average person is accustomed to thinking. In the end however, this was just another tool to be exploited by the Ninja.

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The Katana

Though this type of sword is more closely associated with the Samurai of Japan, these swords were still employed by Ninjas. Many Ninjas were unable to purchase these however, but in their numerous battles with the Samurai, and other armed enemies, it is not beyond belief that a Ninja would simply kill the assailant, and take his weapon for their own. The Katana is arguably one of the best swords ever made, the Japanese craftsman who created them were truly masters. Many antique Katanas from that time are still as deadly today as in there own time.

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The Shuriken

Probably the most symbolic of all weapons, when the average person sees a shuriken, it is probably understood that it has something to do with ninjas. There are some misinterpretations about shuriken though. Shuriken belong to a larger group of throwing weapons called "Shaken" this includes other throwing weapons, also, shuriken were more used as a distraction to the intended target, allowing for a secondary means to be employed more likely than not, death was delivered through poison tipping the intended projectile. Finally, this particular type of shuriken is a "hira" shuriken, because of its flat shape; the bo shuriken is a dart like shuriken that was used for the same purposes. The shuriken also was used for hand to hand combat, so a Ninja would always pack one extra, because the last one would be used if, neccesary, for hand to hand combat.

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The History of Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu is known by many as the art of stealth or the art of the shadow. Much of the training in the ninjutsu school centers around close range combat and the art of invisibility and espionage. Some of the special skills learned by ninjutsu practitioners have historically given the ninja a reputation of possessing magical powers. Climbing walls and swimming while clad in armor are two skills that have earned this reputation. Other skills taught to the ninja included map making, disguise, silent entry and escape, leaping, high endurance, sabotage, and the use of available surroundings as weapons.

The history of the ninja is shrouded in secrecy. Ninja often hold the incorrect reputation of having all been assassins. This was not the case. Though no single origin can be proven, most common beliefs surrounding the origins of ninjutsu attribute it as a fighting method taught within mountain families as a means for self defense during feudal Japan against territory claimants. In order to defend themselves against powerful foes such as the samurai class of warriors who had strength in numbers, the ninja developed stealth capabilities and unorthodox combat techniques. The fighting tactics employed by the ninja were often seen as cowardly by the samurai. However, they were often very effective.

In many ways, the tactics employed by the ninja were very similar to techniques adopted by the early American colonists during the war for independence from England. Traditional British battle strategy was to line up in open fields and fire weapons in a sequential pattern. After many brutal defeats, the heavily under-manned colonists learned to compensate for numbers and power by using ambush and disguise tactics. This strategy was considered to be cowardly by the British armies but, like the similar strategies employed by the ninja, it also proved to be very effective.

Ninjutsu was banned in the 17th century but continued to be passed down in underground circles. The art is still practiced today though not at widely as in the days of feudal Japan.
Like the farmers of the past who fought to defend their lands, Ninja Billy and his friends use their skills to protect others and stand for what is right in the world.

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Ninja Weapons and Gear

Ninja used a wide variety of weapons, as well as other specialized equipment to help them survive while alone on difficult missions.A ninja's uniform is called a ninja-yoroi, or ninja armor. It consists of a black jacket, black trousers, light sandals, and a hooded cowl. Some ninja costumes included red accents along with the black, supposedly to hide any injuries the ninja might receive from his enemies.

There is some evidence that ninja wore all white costumes in snowy conditions, but the multi-colored ninja seen in some action movies did not exist. A few ninja wore lightweight armor beneath their shirts.Much of a ninja's work was not done while wearing his ninja-yoroi, however. If a ninja needed to gather information or get close to an assassination victim in a crowded place, wearing a black hood was not a good way to stay inconspicuous.

The ninja were experts at hiding in plain sight, disguising themselves as priests, dancers, merchants, or farmers. They tried to look as plain and ordinary as possible.A ninja usually wore a ninja-to or other short sword on his back. They also used shuko, weapons worn on the hand (similar to brass knuckles), or tiger claws, which were sharp blades on the palm of the hand which may have been just as effective for climbing as for hand-to-hand combat.Ninja are famous for using shuriken, or ninja throwing stars.

These were often small knives or daggers in addition to the well-known star shapes. The stars were very inaccurate, and were usually used as a delaying weapon if a ninja were being chased. Although they had little chance of striking, seeing a sharp metal blade come flying out of the darkness at his face would likely make even the toughest of pursuers hesitate.A wide variety of other weapons were used by ninja, including short knives, roped weapons for entangling a foe or striking from a distance, and weapons mounted on long bamboo poles.

Some ninja may have used poison on their bladed weapons, though the murky historical records make it difficult to tell if this is true.Other useful ninja gear included rope ladders with hooks on the ends for throwing up onto walls; small sharp tacks called caltrops that could be left on the ground for enemies to step on (particularly useful in Japan, where most people wore light straw sandals at most); small, one-person boats that could be folded down to a portable size; smoke bombs; blow guns; short hollow tubes for breathing under water; and special healing herbs in case the ninja was injured while on a mission.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/ninja6.htm

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The Purpose of Gorin Kuji Myo Himitsu Shaku

The warrior is destined to run into mental obstacles during their training. However, in most cases, these obstacles are created by one’s own sub-conscious. This can be seen when the warrior is about to attempt a complex maneuver, and just before it is set into action, something inside stops their body from executing the technique. Some call this occurrence fear, but in actuality it is the warrior’s sub-conscious telling them that what they are attempting does not seem possible.

This can be a frustrating experience because the warrior wants to execute the technique, but the sub-conscious keeps shutting down their ability to move properly, which in turn causes a type of hesitation. This is where the warrior’s secret knowledge can be put into action. By utilizing the Gorin Kuji spells, the warrior is able to remove any and all obstacles from their sub-conscious mind that do not allow their intention to become a reality.

This clearing of barriers from the deeper mind is imperative to the warrior’s success. By invoking the Gorin Kuji power, the warrior’s body, mind and spirit will begin to work in total unison.

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Fudo Myo-O The Immovable King

Japan’s mystics lived a life dedicated to peace. They guarded themselves and their followers from the perils of violence and temptation and were often regarded as the very embodiment of goodness. Yet, they knew that there was a flip-side to their virtuous nature, a darker side of existence that they could not oppose without sacrificing their peaceful ways.

They used magical incantations to call upon entities known as the Myo-o to vanquish the evil of the world. The Myo-o were creatures who possessed great power and were dedicated to battling evil in it’s many incarnations. It is said that they had no true physical form, but when they were summoned by the mystic, they would manifest themselves as huge powerful humanoids armed with a variety of unique weapons. The Myo-o associated with the Kurai Kotori Clan is “Fudo Myo-o, the Unmoving Illuminating King.”

Fudo Myo-o is the symbol of the inherent abilities often sought by the warrior, and Fudo is studied by the warrior during meditation in the hopes that these attributes will transfer over to them. Fudo Myo-o can be described as being vicious in appearance, with a skin color that emits a bluish-black radiance with an arc of red flame surrounding him. Although benevolent in nature, Fudo Myo-o wages an ongoing battle against all that is evil in existence, allowing nothing wicked to stand in his way. Internally, Fudo Myo-o’s wrathful qualities enter to terrify and subdue all egotistical obstructions within the warrior.

To accomplish this task Fudo Myo-o is armed with two distinct weapons. In his upraised right hand he holds a double edged sword, the sword of secret wisdom, which he uses to cut through any delusions in the warrior’s mind, while instilling the importance of qualities such as attaining knowledge for greater intelligence. In his left hand Fudo Myo-o grips a coiled rope, which represents the ability to bind even the most uncontrollable passions in the warrior. The sword and rope together are used to enlighten the warrior to what things appear to be, and what they actually are.

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Sanmitsu - The Three As One

When the warrior weaves their fingers into one of the many hand configurations (Ketsu-in) and recites the “True word” incantations (Jumon) while concentrating on an ancient Deity (Kanso), they open the gateway to supreme universal knowledge.

The overall application of this practice puts the warrior in touch with all the supernatural powers located at the center of their being, which is often referred to as “The light from within.” When these powers are properly focused, the mind is freed of obstructive barriers and the body is released from physical limitations.

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Ninja Mystic

On their path to spiritual refinement, the Kurai Kotori Sohei (Warrior-Mystic) practices an art known as Gorin Kuji Myo Himitsu Shaku or the Secret Knowledge of Inner Strength. This art form makes use of indepth medative techniques that are focused on unleashing the dormant spiritual powers that dwell deep within every warrior. If the warrior can successfully tap into their inner power, they can accomplish superhuman feats. Feats such as heightening mental and physical strength, refining mental focus, directing spiritual energy, projecting thoughts and emotions and tapping into the realm of the shadow.

As mysterious as this sounds, these powers exist within every human being in existence. They are not magical energies as much as they are personal, spiritual energies that, if focused, can bring about the creation of powerful skills that breach the realm of normal human abilities.
The Meditative technique used in Gorin Kuji Myo Himitsu Shaku draws upon the energies of the body, speech, and mind of the warrior to attain the realization of their inner strength. The Body, Speech, and Mind together make up what is called the Three great secrets (Sanmitsu).

The secrets of Body contain the Ketsu-in which are methods of finger weaving. Each of these hand positions symbolize a certain feat the warrior is trying to accomplish. Along with the entertwining of fingers there are also ritual implements such as the prayer bell.

The secrets of Speech contain the Jumon which are the “True word” incantations. These vocal intonations follow a pattern of specific sounds that put the warrior in a communicative state with the energy that flows through the universe.

The secrets of Mind contain the Kanso which invoke the strength ancient Deities through the use of written scrolls that specify the warrior’s intentions. This is known as KUFU (Concentrated reflection).

From the very simple to the most complex, the Gorin Kuji Myo Himitsu Shaku ritual can be applied in a great number of combinations. The rituals can be applied by a solitary warrior, or done with many warriors to create a more powerful effect.

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Ninja's Art Of Using Animals

DOBUTSUJUTSU - THE ART OF USING ANIMALS Another tactic known as “Dobutsujutsu,” or the art of “Using animals.” This tactic makes use of live animals as a means of diversion. To remain invisible, the Ninja may release a small animal such as a dog, cat, rabbit or monkey into the area of operation.

This technique teaches that, when the threat of being discovered is imminent, the Ninja can use these animals as a diversionary tactic. These animals often cause havoc with the enemies senses while the Ninja slips away.

This tactic can also be employed with insects such as venomous hornets or bees. To apply this technique, the Ninja would place a hive of angry insects in a pouch, and when he detects the presence of enemy forces he shakes the bag to enrage the insects and then throws the open pouch in the direction of his enemy. By the time the bag lands, the insects are furious, attacking anyone in close proximity.

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Ninja Tactics - False Sounds

GIONJUTSU - FALSE SOUNDS There are instances when the Ninja may accidentally make a noise. When this occurs, the Ninja must not panic. Instead, he should learn to cover his mistake. This is accomplished through the use of a very ingenious art. “Gionjutsu,” the art of employing “False sounds” is extremely effective. In the application of this method, the Ninja creates noises that might deter attention from his presence.

Therefore, if an enemy sentry was patrolling the land surrounding their lords castle and he heard a strange noise, he would most certainly investigate. This is where the Ninja can employ false sounds because often times, it is a simple sound that will calm the sentry's suspicion. The Ninja could mimic the sound of a cricket to deter attention from his specific location.

This is because crickets stop chirping when they are approached, and if the sentry hears this sound he may not investigate that particular area because he thinks if there was someone there, the cricket would cease his song. Or perhaps the Ninja would imitate the sound of a cat, making the sentry believe a feline was responsible for whatever noise occurred, and since the sentry does not fear cats, he may feel somewhat foolish for searching.

If though this tactic is creative, it is very possible that the enemy will not fall for the ruse. In this instance, physical combat may be the only recourse.

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Ninja Crawling Skills

HOFUKUJUTSU - CRAWLING SKILLS Another unique method of silent movement is the art of “Hofukujutsu,” in which the Ninja employs different methods of low movement to avoid detection. One such method is “Ryohebi no jutsu,” or the “Serpent crawl,” in which the Ninja walks on all fours with his stomach very low to the ground.

The serpent crawl provides the Ninja with a very fast method of low movement when travelling beneath the enemy’s line of sight. One of the best crawling techniques is that of “Shinso toho no jutsu,” or the “Deep grass rabbit” technique.

This tactic is used when the Ninja is moving in extreme darkness and wants to avoid making noise by tripping or bumping into anything. This technique is accomplished by walking on all fours while scanning softly in all directions with the hands and feet. Although this is a very slow process, it is also very effective.

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Ninja Running Skills

HAYAGAKEJUTSU - RUNNING SKILLS Also included in Himitsu iri is the art of “Hayagakejutsu,” which is the method used to develop greater speed and stamina when running.

These techniques require that the Ninja go through a set of rigorous training sessions that are designed to increase speed by applying different principles of body weight distribution. These running techniques combine stealth and speed.

To initiate this technique, the Ninja assumes a low Hiryu posture with the upper body leaning deeply forward. As the warrior runs in this position, he is not only using the power of his legs, but also his upper body because it actually pulls the body forward into a faster run. The body must not bob up and down as the Ninja runs and the arms should not move at all.

Instead, the arms should remain as motionless as possible so as not to attract unwanted attention. The legs are the only part of the body that alternate motion.

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The Art Of Silent Walking

KAGE ARUKIJUTSU - THE ART OF SILENT WALKING The Kage Aruki walking techniques were perfected by Ninja field agents during the course of their missions. It is the use of proper weight distribution, mental awareness and general feats of dexterity that enable an operative to carry out these acts of stealth.

To move soundlessly requires the warrior to commit themselves to countless hours of practicing and perfecting their technique. Traversing every type of terrain imaginable so that when specific surfaces are encountered during field operations, they are fully prepared to surpass them in a silent fashion. However, these walking techniques alone do not magically endow one with the ability to move unheard.

These steps are simply tools used to increase ones ability to move with more grace and elegance. In actuality, stealth becomes a skill the warrior attains without really being aware of it. It is a result of their unarmed, acrobatic and weaponry training. This happens because the warrior has attained a intimate knowledge of the body and how it works. Walking on all angled surfaces requires this process.

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Ninja Stealth

STEALTH It is often said that the Ninja is a supreme master of stealth, able to vanish in a puff of smoke or change into a wild animal form in order to facilitate an escape. In actuality it is the Ninja’s understanding of invisibility that gives them the advantage. Invisibility in reality is simply knowing how to fool the enemies senses in order to remain undetected, much like a magician misdirects in order to mystify and confuse.

There are two natural senses that are the focus of study. The first is that of Sound. Noises attract attention, and if the mind fails to identify a sound, it becomes curious. This is where the Ninja employs the art of “Himitsu iri,” the ever-elusive method of “Silent movement.” This art serves as a foundation for all aspects of the Ninja lifestyle. Everything must be approached in a subtle manner if ones endeavors are to remain a secret.

The Ninja’s first lessons in stealth are those pertaining to “Kage aruki,” or “Shadow steps.” These walking movements increase the warrior’s efficiency at adapting to specific situations while remaining stealthy. Different types of terrain, varied foliage, sloping rooftops, inner floors of structures, all of these variables are embraced so that silence can be maintained.

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The Art Of Stealth

Learn The Art Of Stealth
The Ninja depended heavily on stealth while doing missions for their masters. Since the Ninjas identity had to be keep secret from the rest of the village, everyone couldn't know who they were, so there were few ninjas. Thats why the Ninja would only send in a select few against many enemys. Learn stealth below:




Ninja Rolls
The main reason for doing a Ninja roll is to move stealth like from one spot to another so quickly you can't be seen. You also land on your feet for a quick get away. You can also jump over a fence to escape an adversary.

The basics of the Ninja roll are to form your hands to the shape of a diamond. Lower your elevation, almost th the ground. When you jump on your hands bend your elbows to absorb the impact of the jump. Duck your head TO THE SIDE, and roll on your shoulder. If you roll straight ahead you'll snap your neck. Then get up and be ready to Ninja run.



Move Like A Feather In The Wind
Ninja run is perhaps the most important technique you will have to know. You must move quickly to any position to make a kill.

To Ninja Run bend at your hips. Your knees should be at a 90 degree angle and your chest should be almost touching them. Lean forward to a point were is you weren't running you would fall over. DON'T move your hands. Your feet should be the only thing moving.

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Ninja Weapons and Gear

Ninja used a wide variety of weapons, as well as other specialized equipment to help them survive while alone on difficult missions.

A ninja's uniform is called a ninja-yoroi, or ninja armor. It consists of a black jacket, black trousers, light sandals, and a hooded cowl. Some ninja costumes included red accents along with the black, supposedly to hide any injuries the ninja might receive from his enemies. There is some evidence that ninja wore all white costumes in snowy conditions, but the multi-colored ninja seen in some action movies did not exist. A few ninja wore lightweight armor beneath their shirts.

Much of a ninja's work was not done while wearing his ninja-yoroi, however. If a ninja needed to gather information or get close to an assassination victim in a crowded place, wearing a black hood was not a good way to stay inconspicuous. The ninja were experts at hiding in plain sight, disguising themselves as priests, dancers, merchants, or farmers. They tried to look as plain and ordinary as possible.

A ninja usually wore a ninja-to or other short sword on his back. They also used shuko, weapons worn on the hand (similar to brass knuckles), or tiger claws, which were sharp blades on the palm of the hand which may have been just as effective for climbing as for hand-to-hand combat.

Ninja are famous for using shuriken, or ninja throwing stars. These were often small knives or daggers in addition to the well-known star shapes. The stars were very inaccurate, and were usually used as a delaying weapon if a ninja were being chased. Although they had little chance of striking, seeing a sharp metal blade come flying out of the darkness at his face would likely make even the toughest of pursuers hesitate.

A wide variety of other weapons were used by ninja, including short knives, roped weapons for entangling a foe or striking from a distance, and weapons mounted on long bamboo poles. Some ninja may have used poison on their bladed weapons, though the murky historical records make it difficult to tell if this is true.

Other useful ninja gear included rope ladders with hooks on the ends for throwing up onto walls; small sharp tacks called caltrops that could be left on the ground for enemies to step on (particularly useful in Japan, where most people wore light straw sandals at most); small, one-person boats that could be folded down to a portable size; smoke bombs; blow guns; short hollow tubes for breathing under water; and special healing herbs in case the ninja was injured while on a mission.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/ninja6.htm

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Supernatural Ninja

Over the centuries, the ninja's fearsome reputation grew and grew. Eventually, the stories and legends surrounding them took on supernatural qualities.

This happened in several ways:

Historical figures and legendary heroes in Japan had ninja skills added to their stories.
True stories of ninja exploits were expanded and exaggerated.

The ninja themselves often used tricks and disguises that made their powers seem supernatural, and they encouraged stories depicting themselves as superheroes.

Traditional Chinese and Japanese mysticism was mixed into ninja stories.

The ninja did little to discourage the myths that sprung up around them. These mythical superninja supposedly were:

7 feet tall
Able to fly
Able to become invisible
Able to walk through walls
Shape shifters
Three-headed
Ghosts At least one ninja is known to have faked his own death so that when he returned, he would be feared as a ghost. Much of ninja history is clouded as a result of these ninja fairy tales.

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A Different Role

Although the ninja from Iga and Koga were espionage mercenaries, in other parts of Japan the ninja took on other roles. Many daimyo had elite groups of ninja who served him as loyally as any samurai. They served as spies, scouts, or commando groups that would make guerilla attacks on enemy castles and encampments. When an army retreated from the field of battle, ninja with firearms were left lying in hiding to attack the oncoming enemy soldiers.

Ninja were particularly useful when a castle was under siege. In such circumstances, the ninja were often the only people who could sneak out of the castle. In one case, a ninja left the castle at night, entered the enemy camp, and stole their flag. The next morning, the enemy's army awoke to find their own flag waving mockingly in the breeze from the castle wall. The moral victory accomplished by humiliating their enemies in this way could be very important for the residents of a castle who were waiting out a long siege.

LegendDespite the precautions taken to protect themselves from ninja tactics, ninja still brought death to many daimyo. One legendary story tells of a ninja who hid in the pit beneath his target's outhouse. When the daimyo arrived to use the bathroom, the ninja struck with his sword from below. However, this story is probably not true: Historical records show the daimyo in question probably died from a stroke or a brain aneurysm. One of the primary roles of the ninja, and the one for which they are most well known and feared, was that of assassin. The daimyo of feudal Japan came to fear assassination at the hands of ninja so much that they spent a great deal of time at "secret springs," which were hidden resorts built around natural springs far from the daimyo's castle.

Within the castle, a daimyo would often go to extraordinary lengths to protect himself from ninja. In Kyoto, the Nijo castle sported "nightingale floors." These carefully crafted wooden floors were counterbalanced so that anyone walking on them made a loud squeaking noise. Some daimyo even kept guards in the same room with them at all times, even when they were asleep. The Tokugawa family required everyone in their household to wear trousers with wide legs that dragged on the floor, making it impossible to walk quietly.

During the Tokugawa (or Edo) period, Japan's civil wars were halted by the strict controls of the Tokugawa shogun. Peacetime forced many people in Japanese society to find different roles, including the ninja. They were very useful to Tokugawa, acting as spies and bodyguards in the enforcement of the laws that allowed him to maintain control of the clans.

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The Birthplace of the Ninja

The regions of Iga and Koga in Japan are considered by many to be the birthplace of the ninja as a major force in Japanese warfare. The men who belonged to the clans that ruled the area hired themselves out as mercenaries, fighting for whichever daimyo, or lord, paid them the most.

The Iga and Koga ninja often worked for daimyo that they had been hired to attack just a few years earlier. This reputation as disloyal mercenaries became a trademark of the ninja, running in direct opposition to the bushido code of the utterly loyal samurai.

The Iga ninja had another reputation, however -- one that ensured their continued use in Japan's feudal wars. They were known as experts at infiltrating castles. With their stealthy skills, they could obtain secret information, sabotage enemy supplies, or steal food and weapons. These skills were passed on from father to son. For generations, warring daimyo knew that the best ninja in Japan could be hired in Iga and Koga.

Today, Iga-Ueno, a city in the Iga region, has capitalized on the popularity of ninja. The Hakuhojo White Phoenix Castle serves as a ninja museum, with a display of ninja weapons and costumed actors performing ninja attacks. The city holds a ninja festival every year on the first Sunday in April, with ninja parades and events in local parks.

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The First Ninja

The Japanese legend of Prince Yamato is often considered the first ninja story, although Yamato did not adopt the black costume or stealthy tactics so often associated with ninja. Instead, he used deception, dressing as a woman to attract two barbarian chieftains.

When the chieftains had been lulled into a false sense of security, Yamato drew a hidden sword and killed them both. His use of a disguise is a hallmark of ninja tactics, so Yamato is sometimes called "The First Ninja."

See Rick Walton's Online Library: The Story of Prince Yamato Take to learn more about this legend.

Another important part of ninja folklore is the story of 13-year-old Kumawaka. Kumawaka had traveled very far to visit his dying father, but a monk who was keeping the father as a prisoner would not allow the two to meet. Kumawaka's father died before he had a chance to see him, so the boy vowed revenge upon the monk.

At age 13, he wasn't strong enough to simply fight the monk and his family. Instead, he faked an illness so they would take him into their home. There, he would sneak around at night, finding out where everyone slept and when the guards patrolled. One night, he snuck into the monk's room. The monk slept with a lamp burning, so the boy opened a window and allowed moths to enter the room. They flocked to the light of the lamp and completely covered it, leaving the room in darkness.

Then, Kumawaka stole the monk's sword and murdered him in his bed.
Fleeing out a window, the boy was chased by guards until he reached a river. He cleverly climbed to the top of a bamboo plant near the river, leaned until the flexible bamboo stalk bent out across the water, and then jumped off and escaped the guards.

Although he was only 13, and didn't call himself a ninja, Kumawaka's use of deception, stealth, and cleverness inspired generations of Japanese warriors who did adopt the name ninja.

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The Origins of Espionage

Although ninja were almost always Japanese, the roots of the ninja philosophy lie in China, where Sun Tzu wrote "The Art of War" in the 4th or 5th century, B.C. "The Art of War" is a guide for military commanders that is still considered essential reading for modern military officers, as well as businesspeople.

One part of the text in particular caused changes in the philosophy of Japanese warriors that would eventually lead to the ideology of the ninja. Chapter 13 (translated text) describes the advantages that can be gained by spreading disinformation amongst your enemies, and sowing confusion in their ranks through deception and sabotage. It also recommends that generals find out as much as possible about their enemy by using spies and other practical methods.

Much of this was antithetical to the Japanese way of waging war. For centuries, armies of foot soldiers and samurai would line up and call each other out to do honorable, one-on-one battle. The underhanded tactics espoused by Sun Tzu went against the grain. But the wisdom of using deception and espionage to win wars could not be denied, and many Japanese warriors came to grudgingly accept it.

The mixed feelings that the Japanese had toward the deceptive ways of the ninja, combined with the ninja's inherent secretiveness, makes studying the history of these shadowy warriors difficult. In many cases, Japanese historians simply left all mention of ninja out of historical documents. If they were mentioned, ninja were either elevated to the status of terrifying, supernatural beings, or were spoken of with contempt and disgust.

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How Ninja's Work

Secretive and silent, the ninja stalks through Japanese history like a shadow, striking fear into the hearts of peasants and emperors alike. Today, the ninja has become a legendary, cult-like figure, showing up in computer games and children's cartoons, as well as an entire genre of martial-arts action films.

But who were the real ninja? Where did they come from, and what purpose did they serve? In this article, we'll peer into the murky shadows of ninja history, separate fact from fiction, and examine the weapons and skills that made ninja some of the most fearsome assassins in the world.

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Ninja Techniques and Equipment

The assassination, espionage, and infiltration tasks of the ninja led to the development of specialized technology in concealable weapons and infiltration tools.

Specialized weapons and tactics
Ninja also employed a variety of weapons and tricks using gunpowder. Smoke bombs and firecrackers were widely used to aid an escape or create a diversion for an attack. They used timed fuses to delay explosions. Ōzutsu (cannons) they constructed could be used to launch fiery sparks as well as projectiles at a target. Small "bombs" called metsubushi (目潰し, "eye closers") were filled with sand and sometimes metal dust.

This sand would be carried in bamboo segments or in hollowed eggs and thrown at someone, the shell would crack, and the assailant would be blinded. Even land mines were constructed that used a mechanical fuse or a lit, oil-soaked string. Secrets of making desirable mixes of gunpowder were strictly guarded in many ninja clans.

Other forms of trickery were said to be used for escaping and combat. Ashiaro are wooden pads attached to the ninja's tabi (thick socks with a separate "toe" for bigger toe; used with sandals). The ashiaro would be carved to look like an animal's paw, or a child's foot, allowing the ninja to leave tracks that most likely would not be noticed.

Also a small ring worn on a ninja's finger called a shobo would be used for hand-to-hand combat. The shobo (or as known in many styles of ninjutsu, the shabo) would have a small notch of wood used to hit assailant's pressure points for sharp pain, sometimes causing temporary paralysis. A suntetsu is very similar to a shobo. It could be a small oval shaped piece of wood affixed to the finger by a small strap.

The suntetsu would be held against a finger (mostly middle) on the palm-side and when the hand that was thrust at an opponent, the longer piece of wood like the size of ones larger arm would be used to hit the pressure points such as the solar plexus.

Ninja also used special short swords called ninjaken, or "shinobigatana". Ninjaken are smaller than katana but larger than wakizashi. The ninja-to was often more of a utilitarian tool than a weapon, not having the complex heat treatment of a usual weapon. Another version of the ninja sword was the shikoro ken (saw sword). The shikoro ken was said to be used to gain entry into buildings, and could also have a double use by cutting (or slashing in this case) opponents.

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Historical Techniques

There is no evidence that historical ninja limited themselves to all-black suits. In modern times, camouflage based upon dark colors such as dark red and dark blue can be used to give better concealment at night. Some cloaks may have been reversible: dark colored on the outside for concealment during the night, and white colored on the inside for concealment in the snow.

Some ninja may have worn the same armor or clothing as samurai or Japanese peasants.
The stereotypical ninja that continually wears easily identifiable black outfits (shinobi shozoku) comes from the Kabuki theater. [3] Prop handlers would dress in black and move props around on the stage. The audience would obviously see the prop handlers, but would pretend they were invisible. Building on that willing suspension of disbelief, ninja characters also came to be portrayed in the theater as wearing similar all-black suits.

This either implied to the audience that the ninja were also invisible, or simply made the audience unable to tell a ninja character from many prop handlers until the ninja character distinguished himself from the other stagehands with a scripted attack or assassination.
Ninja boots (jika-tabi), like much of the rest of Japanese footwear from the time, have a split-toe design that improves gripping and wall/rope climbing. They are soft enough to be virtually silent. Ninja also attached special spikes to the bottoms of the boots called ashiko.

The actual head covering suggested by Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi (in his book The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques) utilizes what is referred to as sanjaku-tenugui, (three-foot cloths). It involves the tying of two three-foot cloths around the head in such a way as to make the mask flexible in configuration but securely bound. Some wear a long robe, most of the time dark blue (紺色 kon'iro) for stealth.

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Historical Organization

In their history, ninja groups were small and structured around families and villages, later developing a more martial hierarchy that was able to mesh more closely with that of samurai and the daimyo. These certain ninjutsu trained groups were set in these villages for protection against raiders and robbers.

While ninjas were limited exclusively to males, "ninja museums" in Japan declare women to have been ninjas as well (Turnbull 2003). A female ninja may be kunoichi (くノ一); the characters are derived from the strokes that make up the kanji for female (女). They were sometimes depicted as spies who learned the secrets of an enemy by seduction; though it's just as likely they were employed as household servants, putting them in a position to overhear potentially valuable information. [2]

As a martial organization, ninja would have had many rules, and keeping secret the ninja's clan and the daimyo who gave them their orders would have been one of the most important ones.[citation needed].

For modern hierarchy in ninjutsu, see: Ninjutsu

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Historical Period Of Origin

The ninja use of stealth tactics against better-armed enemy samurai does not mean that they were limited to espionage and undercover work: that is simply where their actions most notably differed from the more accepted tactics of samurai. Their weapons and tactics were partially derived from the need to conceal or defend themselves quickly from samurai, which can be seen from the similarities between many of their weapons and various sickles and threshing tools used at the time. [1].

Ninjas as a group first began to be written about in 15th century feudal Japan as martial organizations predominately in the regions of Iga and Koga of central Japan, though the practice of guerrilla warfare and undercover espionage operations goes back much further.

At this time, the conflicts between the clans of daimyo that controlled small regions of land had established guerrilla warfare and assassination as a valuable alternative to frontal assault. Since Bushido, the Samurai Code, forbade such tactics as dishonorable, a daimyo could not expect his own troops to perform the tasks required; thus, he had to buy or broker the assistance of ninja to perform selective strikes, espionage, assassination, and infiltration of enemy strongholds (Turnbull 2003).

There are a few people and groups of people regarded as having been potential historical ninja from approximately the same time period. It is rumored that some of the higher-ranking daimyos and shoguns were in fact ninja, and exploited their role as ninja-hunters to deflect suspicion and obscure their participation in the 'dishonorable' ninja methods and training.

Though typically classified as assassins, many of the ninja were warriors in all senses. In Hayes's book, Mystic Arts of the Ninja, Hattori Hanzo, one of the most well-known ninja, is depicted in armor similar to that of a samurai. Hayes also says that those who ended up recording the history of the ninja were typically those within positions of power in the military dictatorships, and that students of history should realize that the history of the ninja was kept by observers writing about their activities as seen from the outside.

“Ninjutsu did not come into being as a specific well defined art in the first place, and many centuries passed before ninjutsu was established as an independent system of knowledge in its own right. Ninjutsu developed as a highly illegal counter culture to the ruling Samurai elite, and for this reason alone, the origins of the art were shrouded by centuries of mystery, concealment, and deliberate confusion of history” The Historical Ninja. –By Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi .

A similar account is given by Stephen K. Hayes: “The predecessors of Japan's’ ninja were so called rebels favoring Buddhism who fled into the mountains near Kyoto as early as the 7th century A.D. to escape religious persecution and death at the hands of imperial forces” Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility.

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Etymology

Ninja is the on'yomi reading of the two kanji 忍者 used to write shinobi-no-mono (忍の者), which is the native Japanese word for people who practice ninjutsu (sometimes erroneously transliterated as ninjitsu 忍術). The words: ninja and shinobi-no-mono, along with shinobi, another variant; became popular in the post-World War II culture[citation needed]. The term shinobi (historically sino2bi2 written with the Man'yōgana 志能備), has been traced as far back as the late 8th century when Heguri Uji no Iratsume wrote a poem[1] [2] to Ōtomo no Yakamochi. The underlying connotation of shinobi (忍), in Sino-Japanese means "to steal away" and—by extension—"to forbear," hence its association with stealth and invisibility.

Mono (者, likewise pronounced sha or ja) means "person." The nin of ninjutsu is the same as that in ninja, whereas jutsu (術) means skill or art, so ninjutsu means "the skill of going unperceived" or "the art of stealth"; hence, ninja and shinobi-no-mono (as well as shinobi) may be translated as "one skilled in the art of stealth." Similarly, the pre-war word ninjutsu-zukai means "one who uses the art of remaining unperceived."

Other terms which may be used are oniwaban (お庭番 "one in the garden"), suppa, rappa, mitsumono, kusa (草 grass) and Iga-mono (one from Iga).

In English, the plural of ninja can be either unchanged as ninja, reflecting the Japanese language's lack of grammatical number, or the regular English plural ninjas.[3]

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The Ninja

A ninja (忍者, ninja?) is a highly skilled operator, specially trained in the art and science of assassination, espionage, guerilla warfare, covert killing, and combative Martial Arts. In Japanese culture, they are usually trained for dangerous and high-risk stealth clandestine missions very similar to those of the modern day Special Forces like the US Navy Seals, Taiwan Thunder Squad, US Delta Force, British SAS, Polish Grom, FBI Hostage Rescue Team, and Police SWAT Team units.

Although their exact origins are still unknown, we do know that they appeared in fourteenth century feudal Japan, and remained active from the Kamakura to the Edo period. Their roles may have included sabotage, espionage, scouting, and assassination missions as a way to destabilize and cause social chaos in an enemy country or to an opposing ruler, perhaps in the service of their feudal rulers (daimyo,shogun), or an underground Ninja organization waging guerilla warfare.

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