What kind of people are ninjas?
Ninjas are a special group who have operated secretly throughout Japanese history.They were particularly active from the 15th to 17th century, during the Warring States period.
Their work was diverse, including intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, sabotage, and assassination, so they played a role similar to that of spies today.
The most famous group is Iga (Mie Prefecture) and Koga (Shiga Prefecture).
These areas are surrounded by mountains and have many places to hide, so they were the perfect places for ninjas to train and operate.
How did the ninjas begin?
The origins of ninjas are not documented and rely heavily on legends and folktales. However, many historians believe that the Heian period (794-1185) may be the origin of the ninjas. In this period, there were already techniques to infiltrate enemy positions and obtain information.
Of particular interest is a technical system called ‘Ninjutsu’. It is said that this ninjutsu was not limited to combat, but also included psychology, astronomy, geography, and herbalism.
Thanks to this broad knowledge and skill set, Ninja could achieve results even when working alone.
What kind of equipment and tools does a ninja have?
The tools and equipment used by the ninjas were extremely practical and full of ingenuity. For example, the well-known black clothing known as “ninja costume” was actually only suitable for covert activities at night, and not all of them wore it.
Rather, they often dressed like farmers or merchants and blended in with their surroundings.
Famous tools used by the ninjas included,
- Shuriken: A throwing tool used to intimidate or attack enemies.
- Kunai: A multi-functional tool used to climb and dig through walls.
- Smokeball: An item used to block one’s view when fleeing from pursuers.
- Rope ladders: Useful tools for moving to higher ground and escaping.
These tools were devised to help the ninjas perform their duties efficiently.
The story of the ninjas in history
There are various episodes in history in which ninjas actually played an active role.
For example, the following is a famous story.
- Koga-style ninjas targeted Nobunaga Oda: An assassination attempt on the life of Nobunaga Nobunaga by the Koga-style ninja during the Warring States period.
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s intelligence-gathering operation: The story of how Hideyoshi hired ninjas to gather information on enemy territory.
It is also said that during the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate used ninjas to maintain peace.Covert activities to monitor the movements of feudal lords and rebels were part of this.
These episodes show that the ninjas were not just legends, but actually played an important role in history.
Influence of the Ninja on the Modern World
Ninjas are still very active all over the world in movies, anime, manga, and video games. Works like “Naruto” and “Ninja Turtles” are typical examples.However, the image of the ninja in entertainment is often a bit different from the actual ninja.
The real ninja was more about quiet and careful movement than flashy action. Nevertheless, thanks to entertainment, people around the world are getting to know the ninja. Not only that, but in Japan, the ninja have a great influence on the tourism industry. Activities and shows that allow visitors to experience the ninja are very popular with foreign visitors to Japan, and there are places where visitors can actually throw shuriken and experience ninja training.
In addition, ninja-themed online content has recently been attracting attention. Videos on YouTube and SNS are popular for their easy-to-understand explanations of ninja history and techniques, as well as videos of ninja performances with a modern twist.
These efforts are helping to spread ninja culture to younger generations and overseas fans.
What We Can Learn from the Ninja
There are many hints in the way of life and thinking of the ninja that are useful even today.
- Flexibility and adaptability: The ability to adapt to change is important in any job or environment.
- Observation and judgment: Just as the ninja observed situations and chose the best course of action, we can apply this in our daily lives.
- Self-discipline: Ninja training teaches us the importance of maintaining a balance between mind and body.
Bringing the Ninja Spirit into the Future
Ninja history and culture are not just old stories. They are still an inspiration to many people today.
At the Ninja Village in Iga and Koga, you can not only learn about the history of the Ninjas but there are also many events where you can actually experience the skills of the Ninja! Through this, you may deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and discover new possibilities for yourself.
Ninja wisdom also translates into adaptability to the environment and an attitude of making the most of resources. There are many hints hidden in the Ninja way of thinking that can help us learn how to live and work sustainably.
By getting in touch with the spirit of the Ninja, you may be inspired to bring a new perspective to your daily life. Let us apply the wisdom of the Ninja to our future!