Ninja Q&A

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Minasan!

Now, there are the questions about Ninja. Can you answer perfectly? Please answer, YES or NO.:emblaugh:

1.Is the Ninja a real existence?
2.Is "Ninja" active in all over the history?
3.Is the origin of Ninja a Samurai?
4.Does "Ninja" means "Assassin" in Japanese?
5.Is Ninja a Spy?
6.Was there a Ninja's country(province).
7.Dose Ninja pledged their loyalty to Daimyo?(Daimyo is a feudal lord in Japan)
8.Was there a Ninja school to learn the Ninjyutu?("Ninjyutu" means "Art of Ninja")
9.Did Ninja trained in Ninjyutu all day?
10.Is Ninja a superman?
11.Dose Ninja always wear a Shinobi Syouzoku(black suit)?
12.Dose Ninja carring Katana on his back(shoulder)?
13.Does Ninjyutu means martial arts?
14.Is Ninja good at disguise?
15.Does Ninja use a extraordinary arms(Iron claw, Throwing starry knife, Sickle with chain and etc)?
16.Is Ninja stronger than Samurai?
17.Dose Ninja has a higher status(social standing) than Samurai?
18.Can Ninja use Youjyutu(Ninja's magic)?
19.Is woman's Kurosyouzoku(Ninja's Bluck Suit) a miniskirt because easy to move?
20.Dose "Ninjyutu" has been handed down by the secret scroll from generation to generation?

The answer is a last line of this post. If you want to know the answer right now, please look the last line.

Ninja
What do you imagine about Ninja? Is Ninja a superman? Assassin? Spy? Master of martial arts and swordsman? Shuriken(throwing starry knife)? Shinobi Syouzoku(Black Ninja's suit)? Smoke screen bomb?
I think that you already know about Ninja from Anime, Manga, Movie, Novel and etc... There is a lot of Ninja information everywhere.
And all people believe Ninja has super power. Because Ninja play an super action as superman in the movie, even the Mutant Turtle.
BUT is that a truth? Is Ninja a superman? Assassin? Spy? Do they always wear the black suit?
To begin with, who are they? :confused:

Truth
Ninja information is overflowing in all the world. But correct information is very few. And most of all people don't know Ninja's true character.
I want to talk about Ninja's true character, what is a truth and what is a fiction. But if I talk my all knowledge about Ninja, the text will be over the limits of message length. But the truth is that I can not write so long English sentence.:bawling:
I talk about Ninja by Question and Answer. I set questions and explain answers simply. Please enjoy Q&A.
If you have an another question, please ask me with a light heart. :note:

Answer
Q1.Is the Ninja a real existence?
A1.YES
Of course Ninja is a real existence. But Ninja's true character is different from we know now. I talk about Ninja's true character from now.

Q2.Is "Ninja" active in all over the history?
A2.NO
The Ninja was born in the sixteen century. And they were active in all over Japan. But their influence fell in the first half of the seventeen century. They were active only in the sixteen century. Why dose their influence fell in the seventeen century? I reply this question in the Q20.

Q3.Is the origin of Ninja a Samurai?
A3.NO
The origin of Ninja is a Akuto. Akutou is an anti Establishment group. The constituent member of Akuto is a wanderer, sharecropper, robber, political offender, Gypsy, industrial workers, Samurai and etc. All sorts of people joined an Akuto. And they rebelled against the Government and organization of power. Akuto was born in the first half of the fourteenth century. This age is the Civil War age.
In ancient times, Akuto means an armed anti Establishment groups. But now, Akuto means a knave, rascal, villain and scoundrel.

Q4.Does "Ninja" means "Assassin" in Japanese?
A4.NO
Ninja is made from two characters(Kanji), "Nin" and "Ja". And those characters has own meaning. "Ja" means a person. What means the "Nin"? This character has three meanings. The first is "patient", the second is "hide one's feelings" and the third is "act secretly".
I think that you agree on the third meaning "Ninja means a person who act secretly". But what is the first and second meaning? Is Ninja a patient person? Why dose Ninja hide his feeling?
There is a good reason of the first and second. An instance, poker face. If you want to win a game, you must not show your intentions. And you will make a poker face. But if you are a quick temper, you can not keep poker face. It need patient mind to keep poker face. And it is the same as Ninja. Ninja must hide his feelings to win against enemy and it is need to patient mind.
What is Assassin in Japanese? Assassin is Ansatsusya in Japanese. Ansatsusya is made from three characters(Kanji), "An", "Satsu" and "Sya". "An" means "dark", "Satsu" means "kill", "Sya" means "person". "Sya" is the same Kanji with "Ja" of Ninja. Ansatsusya is a "killer in the dark" in literal.

Q5.Is Ninja a Spy?
A5.YES
Ninja is a Spy and Guerrilla, but not Assassin. They scout an enemy area and army. Their main mission is a information gathering, spreading a false rumor, subversive activities and guerrilla tactics. Their workshop is in the dark. Of course assassination is one of the dark business. But assassination is not their main business. If anything, there is never a famous victim of assassination by Ninja.

Q6.Was there a Ninja's country(province).
A6.YES
Usually ruler is a Samurai(The Shogun and a lot of Daimyo) in Japan. But Iga was a Ninja's country(province).
The origin of Ninja is a Akuto. And Akuto is an anti Establishment group. The farmer(Akuto) of Iga had been independent of the Establishment. And they made an independent country. It was a republic and was managed by the representatives of villages. But Iga was destroyed by the daimyo Nobunaga in A.D. 1581. And after, Iga was under the control of the Establishment.

Q7.Dose Ninja pledged their loyalty to Daimyo?(Daimyo is a feudal lord in Japan)
A7.NO
The Ninja was born in the sixteen century. And this age was the Age of Daimyo Wars. In this age, all Daimyo(feudal lords) contended with each other for the Shogun(throne). And a lot of Ninja group cooperated with Daimyo. But Ninja has a strong spirit of independence. They didn't under the control of Daimyo. And they never pledged their loyalty to Daimyo. Ninja worked for Daimyo, but it is a contract but not superintendence. Ninja has contracted a Daimyo for the dark business. If employer lose a war, Ninja desert their employer.

Q8.Was there a Ninja school to learn the Ninjyutu?("Ninjyutu" means "Art of Ninja")
A8.NO
Ninjyutu is a top secret. There was not a Ninja school. How do learn the Ninjyutu? Ninjyutu was transmitted directly from Ninjutsu master to pupil.

Q9.Did Ninja train in Ninjyutu all day?
A9.NO
Ninja is a specialist in the dark business. And they are well trained. But their business is not only in the dark. Because they are a farmer at ordinary times. They plowed a rice field in the morning, and they trained Ninjyutu in the afternoon.

Q10.Is Ninja a superman?
A10.NO
Imagine, if you are a Ninja in the Middle Ages. You don't have a NIKE shoes, and road is a gravel but not asphalt. Can you run faster than Maurice Green? It's an impossibility. Can you jump over a high wall easily but not clamb frantically up? It's an impossibility too. The Ninja as superman is a fiction, it's only in the story. If the Ninja can those super action, the world records of Olympic Games are broken by the descendant of Ninja.

Q11.Dose Ninja always wear a Shinobi Syouzoku(black suit)?
A11.NO
Ninja is a farmer at ordinary times. They wear a farm clothes at home. And they disguise themselves as a merchant, priest, monk and etc in the dark business. Why dose Ninja disguise themselves? Because they are a Spy. If they wear the Shinobi Syouzoku, it come to light that they are the Ninja(spy). There is not a man who say "I am a Spy" by myself. Ninja didn't wear the Shinobi Shouzoku always.
But Ninja wear the Shinobi Shouzoku in guerrilla warfare. And we imagine that the Shinobi Shouzoku is black color. But Shinobi Shouzoku has various colors, gray, yellowish red, dark blue, camouflage and etc. And Ninja choose yellowish red rather than black.

Q12.Dose Ninja carring Katana on his back(shoulder)?
A12.NO
Our Ninja's image is a Shinobi Shouzoku whit Katana on his back. But it is a fiction. Usually Ninja wear a sword at his side as Samurai. If Ninja carring Katana on his back, the Katana is hooked everywhere. And drawing sword at his side is more quick than on his back.

Q13.Does Ninjyutu means martial arts?
A13.NO
We imagine Ninja's skill as martial arts and super action. But it is not correct. Of course martial arts is one of Ninja's skill. But the most important skill is a spy skill. They learned how to get the information mainly.

Q14.Is Ninja good at disguise?
A14.YES
Ninja learned how to get the information. Disguise is one way of that. If you want to get enemy's information, how do you to get the one? Steal into enemy's house? It is not good way. In Ninja's way, Ninja disguise himself as a merchant and he visit an enemy's castle. Enemy don't know his true character and enemy rely on him as merchant. And Ninja can get enemy's information easily, without the risk of his life. Of course a thin veneer of education is useless, Ninja study "merchant" very hard to disguise, business, gestures, language, commodity and etc. And Ninja start a business actually.

Q15.Does Ninja use a extraordinary arms(Iron claw, Throwing starry knife, Sickle with chain and etc)?
A15.YES
Ninja use a various extraordinary arms. Ninja don't stick to a tradition and common sense. And they invent a various extraordinary arms. Ninja is a realist and pragmatist.

Q16.Is Ninja stronger than Samurai?
A16.NO
Samurai is a specialist in war but Ninja is a specialist in spy. Spy can not win against professional soldier. Of course Ninja is a specialist in guerrilla tactics. Ninja can win by a surprise attack, but can not win by a frontal attack. If Ninja is stronger than Samurai, Ninja conquered Japan. But Japan was conquered by Samurai but not Ninja. Ninja train military arts, but Samurai train military arts more hard. If Ninja is found out by Samurai, Ninja run away but not fight.

Q17.Dose Ninja has a higher status(social standing) than Samurai?
A17.NO
Ninja is a man in the dark and was misunderstood as burglar. Ninja has a great skill but Ninja's status is very low. Ninja was a synonym for a robber in the Middle Ages.

Q18.Can Ninja use Youjyutu(Ninja's magic)?
A18.NO
We have an image that Ninja can use Youjyutu(magic). An instance, Ninjya disappear with a smoke screen when he is cut. Of course it is a fiction. But it is a truth that ninja learn various magic, Buddhist magic, Shintoist magic and Taoist magic. We imagine that magic is not scientism. But in this age, magic is a synonym for science. They learned various magic seriously. And those magic is useful for disguise too. Because if Ninja disguise himself as a Buddhist priest, he must can use Buddhist magic. They made good use of magic, but it is a cheating. Ninja can not use real magic.

Q19.Is woman's Kurosyouzoku(Ninja's Bluck Suit) a miniskirt because easy to move?
A19.NO
Do you know that woman's lingerie was highly developed in the modern period? There was not panties and brassiere in the medieval period. And miniskirt is the latest fashion too. Until quite recently, woman covered her legs with long skirt. It is the same as Japan.
And woman Ninja don't wear the Kurosyouzoku. To put it more precisely, there was not woman Ninja. Usually Ninja is man only. Woman Ninja don't exist. But there was Kunoichi in Ninjyutu. What is Kunoichi? It means woman in jargon of the Ninja. KUNOICHI is a woman Spy. She tried to get information out of him(enemy) by turning on her charm. But kunoichi is not Ninja because she don't know Ninjyutu. She is a prostitute and is in the employ of Ninja. She is a agent of Ninja but not Ninja.
But enemy don't know her true character, prostitute and agent of Ninja. And enemy believed that she was a woman Ninja.

Q20.Dose "Ninjyutu" has been handed down by the secret scroll from generation to generation?
A20.NO
Ninja learn Ninjyutu directly from master. There was not a textbook(the secret scroll), oral instruction only. Ninjyutu is a top secret. Ninja was afraid of outflow of Ninjyutu. And Ninja didn't make a textbook. But this tradition is broken in the seventeenth century. The seventeenth century is a peaceful age. The war age is already concluded. And Ninja is a unnecessary existence in peaceful age. Ninja declined in this age. And Ninja is in a critical situation of downfall. Ninja made a textbook to leave Ninjyutu. But it was an simple instruction manual, there was not record of top secret. And Ninja went to ruin in the end. The most strong enemy of Ninja was the peace.

Thanks to read my poor English to the end.:bow:

Answers

Q1.Is the Ninja a real existence?
A1.YES
Q2.Is "Ninja" active in all over the history?
A2.NO
Q3.Is the origin of Ninja a Samurai?
A3.NO
Q4.Does "Ninja" means "Assassin" in Japanese?
A4.NO
Q5.Is Ninja a Spy?
A5.YES
Q6.Was there a Ninja's country(province).
A6.YES
Q7.Dose Ninja pledged their loyalty to Daimyo?(Daimyo is a feudal lord in Japan)
A7.NO
Q8.Was there a Ninja school to learn the Ninjyutu?("Ninjyutu" means "Art of Ninja")
A8.NO
Q9.Did Ninja train in Ninjyutu all day?
A9.NO
Q10.Is Ninja a superman?
A10.NO
Q11.Dose Ninja always wear a Shinobi Syouzoku(black suit)?
A11.NO
Q12.Dose Ninja carring Katana on his back(shoulder)?
A12.NO
Q13.Does Ninjyutu means martial arts?
A13.NO
Q14.Is Ninja good at disguise?
A14.YES
Q15.Does Ninja use a extraordinary arms(Iron claw, Throwing starry knife, Sickle with chain and etc)?
A15.YES
Q16.Is Ninja stronger than Samurai?
A16.NO
Q17.Dose Ninja has a higher status(social standing) than Samurai?
A17.NO
Q18.Can Ninja use Youjyutu(Ninja's magic)?
A18.NO
Q19.Is woman's Kurosyouzoku(Ninja's Bluck Suit) a miniskirt because easy to move?
A19.NO
Q20.Dose "Ninjyutu" has been handed down by the secret scroll from generation to generation?
A20.NO

NANGI

[Iron Chef]

WOW! Thanks a ton Nangi-san for all the great info! Very well done and i'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we appreciate your time and effort compiling this "Ninja FAQ" for the benefit of our members. Very insightful and informative, great job! 8-)
:D

[Duo]

Just a question. When the Ninja were around, weren't there also some Chinese assassins who behaved similarly?

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san!
Welcome and Hajimemashite.:wave:

The first spy in Japan is similar to Chinese spy. Because Japanese culture was made from Chinese culture in ancient times. And spy skill came from Chinese too. It was the sixth century.
But this spy is not like Ninja. Ninja appeared the sixteenth century. And Ninja was grown in Japan originally. But I don't know difference of Chinese spy and Ninja strictly. Because I don't know a Chinese spy thoroughly, sorry. :p

NANGI

[Duo]

:wave:

Thanks a lot for your welcoming. I was just wandering if u happen to have studied ninja thouroughly, becuase I myself am interested in them and I even "wrote" an english paper on them. What I like about the ninja is their inventive skills and their understanding of human psychology. Now in Japan where do historians attribute the origin of the ninja, do they still say that it was inspired by Sun Tzu's Art of War? Also I have been trying to find a good ninja movie but to no avail. Is there one that you would reccomend?

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san!

Where is the origin of the ninja? It is difficult to reply because Ninja has a lot of school(Ryuuha). There were a lot of Ninja groups, and they were born at various regions. But the most important candidate for the founder is Kusunoki Masashige.
Kusunoki was the leader of Akuto. And he was a specialist in guerrilla tactics. He was born at neighboring countries of Iga.
Of course Ninja knew Sun Tzu's Art of War. But it is only one of their knowledge. And Sun Tzu's Art of War was a common knowledge in Japan. Samurai and Buddhist priest knew Sun Tzu's Art of War too.
I want to talk about Ninja much more, but my poor English check me. Sorry.:p
I recommend "Fukurou no Shiro" to you. "Fukurou no Shiro" means "Owl's Castle". I like this Ninja movie.;)

http://www.fujitv.co.jp/jp/kumorepo/40th/fukurou.html

NANGI

[Duo]

Thanks for the movie NANGI-san :bow:
Are foreigners allowed to add san after the name. When does one use sama-- is that one it somebody important.? :confused:

Just some other questions :blush: :p
The Iga region wouldn't that happen to be around the city Iga-Ueno where I beleive there is a ninja museum? Also I wanted to ask you wether you knew the name of that ninja leader who pretended to commit seppuku in the town square but had a dead fox hid under his shirt, and then everyone thought he died but actually that was just the blood of the fox, and then when he reappeared people thought he was a ghost? Have you by chance red the book of the five rings? Also I had the impression that ninja were more skillfull than the samurai. On most websites that I have tried to learn about ninja, I have not found a good one, would you happen to know one? Do you know how a fight between a ninja and a samurai would look like, i mean the ninja had shuriken and other poisoned darts, so wouldn't they win? Are you familiar with the hunger and thirst pill that the ninja would make, were this pills effective at all.

Again thanks for the useful info. and sorry about so many questions :p

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san!

"-san" is the most common honorific title in Japan. "-sama" is formal honorific title and salesman use "-sama" for customers. But usually people don't use this word in daily life.

Iga-Ueno is noted for the hometown of Ninja. Of course there is Ninja museum and Ninja site. If you want to know Iga Ninja, please look this site.
http://www.iganinja.jp/
Sorry, I don't know this ninja leader.:sorry:

I have not red the five rings. But I had red novel "Miyamoto Musashi". Miyamoto Musashi is the author of the five rings. And I live in the Musashi's birthplace.

If Ninja make a surprise attack on Samurai, Ninja will win. But Ninja can not win by frontal attack. Originally Ninja is a spy. It is not necessary to fight. If Ninja is found by Samurai, Ninja will run away but not fight. Of course Ninja has special weapons. But it is a clever weapon and is effective by surprise attack. Ninja can not win by frontal attack.
But Ninja has a favorable point. It is a guerrilla tactics. Samurai is a regular army. They can not surprise attack on Ninja. But Ninja can surprise attack easily. Ninja don't need honor, and Ninja don't mind surprise attack.

Ninja has various pills. And Ninja had pill that keep off the hunger and thirst. But now, it is ascertained that pill is inefficacious.:eek:

NANGI

[ayame]

Hajimemashite NANGi-san!

wow, I'm impressed! How comes, you know that much about Ninja?
Chotto shitsurei desu ga,.. I have to write a paper about Kunoichi, and I found it really really hard to get information. Do you know any books, websites, wise old masters or something else about that topic? kantanna nihongo de mo iidesu.

Looking forward to your reply :-)
ayame

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Ayame-san!

How do I know about Ninja? I red a lot of books. But it is not only about Ninja. I red various books about the Middle Ages in Japan. Because Ninja lived in the Middle Ages and our common sense is invalid in the Middle Ages. If we want to know Ninja, we must know about the Middle Ages at first.

An instance, martial arts. We know the Samurai is the master of swordsmanship. But which is strong if Samurai fight against Ninja with bare hands? We think that Ninja win easily because Ninja is the master of martial arts. And Samurai is weak with out Katana(sword). But this common sense is not right. Because Samurai is the master of martial arts too. When Samurai fight against enemy Samurai on the battlefield, Samurai throw enemy Samurai down from horse. Samurai get off his horse too and Samurai hold enemy Samurai down by martial arts. Because Samurai can not give armored Samurai a fatal wound by Katana. But there is a crack at armor's joints. It is a weak point of armor. Samurai aim at this point. But enemy Samurai make a strong stand. A crack at armor's joints is very small and cut this point down by Katana is difficult. And Samurai hold enemy Samurai down by martial arts, and Samurai put an end to enemy's life by short sword. We have a fixed idea on Samurai that Samurai fight by only Katana. But it is not right. Samurai fight by martial arts too. Samurai is not only swordsmanship but also the specialist in various arts.
If you learn only Ninja, you can not judge correctly. But if you learn various matter in the Middle Ages, you can judge more correctly. The Ninja books are not necessarily right at all times. There are some errors. But if you don't have knowledge in the Middle Ages, you can not judge what is truth or error.
I suggest that read not only Ninja books but various books.

About Kunoichi? It is very hard to know woman Ninja. Because there are some reasons.
The first, there is not a recording about woman in Japan. In the Middle Ages, the Japanese male made light female.An instance, there was male name in family tree but female name was not. There was only "Woman". It is similar to Ninja. Recording of woman Ninja is very few.
The second, precise material of Ninja is very few. Ninja is a secret society, and they didn't leave the recording about Ninja for fear that be exposed their secret. Now, some of archives about Ninja remains. But most of all are forgery. It is difficult to know real Ninja, especially woman Ninja.
The third, there was not woman Ninja. The female don't suitable for Ninja. Because the female physical strength is worse than the male. And woman is carried away by her feelings. Ninja fear leaking out their secret. If woman Ninja fall in love with enemy, their secret will leak out from her. And taking a infomation out from woman is a Ninja's usual tactics.

Precise material of Ninja is very few. But those archives are the best recording of Ninja, "Ninpiden", "Bansensyuukai" and "Syouninki". Those are Iga-Ninja's archives. My post result from those archives too. And there is a description of Kunoichi in archive(I think that is "Bansensyuukai" but my memory is not clear, sorry).
Now, we know "Kunoichi" means woman Ninja. But it is not right in the strict sense of the word. What is Kunoichi? Kunoichi is the name of plan that put woman to gather information. Ninja use woman to gather information from enemy, this plan is "Kunoichi no Hou". It means the Kunoichi plan. Originally Kunoichi is the name of plan but not woman Ninja. And this woman is not Ninja. Of course the boss(controller) of this plan is Ninja, but woman is only instrument of Ninja.

The precise material of woman Ninja is only this one "Kunoichi no Hou". There is no woman Ninja in archives and Japanese history. I said before "Usually Ninja is man only. Woman Ninja don't exist", because there is not trustworthy archives(precise material) of woman Ninja. But it is traditionally said that Kosyu-Ninja had woman Ninja(Kosyu is Yamanashi prefecture now). She disguised herself as a shrine pilgrim maiden and gather information in the enemy's territory. Trustworthy information sources is very important. But no information don't means no existence. Didn't the Woman Ninja exist truly? Anybody can not reply this question...

NANGI

[Duo]

NANGI,
this is great stuff
Thanks again. About the Samurai I was aware that they were skilled in many martial arts, also I read that they were good at bows and arrows. Also I wanted to ask if u have come accross cases where there were entire family of ninja. I read that a Damyio could hire an entire family of ninja at times. Do you know any cases where ninja clans have battled each other?

[ayame]

Arigatoooouuuuuu! Thank you very much for your time and effort, NANGI-san. Yes, I think you're right that one has to know the background in order to judge things correctly. Fortunately I have to write an exam about Japanese history in 5 weeks! So there's a lot of stuff to learn and to know. The Bansensyuukai is not really easy to read, is it? Well... my Japanese can only improve.. :note: To the Kunoichi question... have you ever heard about Mochizuki Chiyome? Because I think she is the only reference to kunoichi history. Oh yes, and...ey... what do you mean with: women get carried away by their emotions, hm?

:box: How could they get informations from men, when men never give way to their emotions and thus reveal secrets? Thank you very much for your answer, I think I'll go to the library and check out the Bansensyuukai! Ganbarimaaasu!

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san! Ayame-san!

to Duo-san.
Yes, the Samurai were good at bows and arrows. Because main weapon of Samurai was bows and arrows in ancient times. And in Sengoku-Jidai(before B.C.1600), the top cause of death on the battlefield was a Yari(spear) but not Katana. Most of all Samurai used Yari on the battlefield. We believe that Samurai used Katana always on the battlefield. But it is a mistake.:mad:
And yes, Ninja was in the employ of Daimyo as Spy. But I think that Ninja clans have not battled each other. Ninja sneak into enemy's area. Of course there is enemy's guard Ninja too. If guard Ninja found out a enemy Ninja, he fought against enemy Ninja. Because "guard" is his business. But this individual battle don't escalate into the Ninja clan's war. Because Ninja is in the employ of Daimyo, guard Ninja is the same as Spy Ninja too. And they fight each other by money but not grudge. If the Ninja clan turn against enemy Ninja clan, the Ninja clan commit bribery but not fight. Ninja's purpose is a earning money but not win.
If Daimyo want to annihilate the enemy Ninja, in this case Daimyo fight against enemy Ninja by himself(and his Samurai). Because Daimyo's business is war. But if Ninja clan will be under attack from enemy(Daimyo), they resist with their full strength to survive.:note:

to Ayame-san.
The original Bansensyuukai is written in old wards and reading is very difficult even if the Japanese. But contemporary style is on sale. I think you can read if you find the contemporary style. But I don't know that it is easy or not to you.:relief:
Mochizuki Chiyome? Sorry, I don't know Mochizuki Chiyome. But the family name Mochizuki is the famous name of Iga-Ninja.
Sorry, "women get carried away by their emotions" means "woman act on the impulse but not rational mind, specally love".
How could they get informations from men? They use women's weapon. The woman's sexual charm is the best weapon of them. All men tell everything to their girlfriend. And all woman Ninja is a beautiful by reason of this tactics. Ninja employ a beautiful prostitute, or Ninja buy(or kidnap) a cute girl and they bring up her to woman Ninja. Why buy(or kidnap) a girl? Because their(Ninja's) daughter is a rustic and is not beautiful. And Ninja buy(or kidnap) a cute girl from big city.

NANGI

[Duo]

NANGI thanks a lot for your valuable info.

Do you happen to know whether the Ninja were hired during the Meiji restoration in order to eliminate rebells or royalists?

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san!

I believe that the Ninja was ruined in the days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Because Ninja is a Spy and Spy can not live in the peaceful days. Of course Ninja's posterity tryed to leave offspring of the Ninja skill. But the book learning is useless.
The last operations of Ninja is a invasion into US warship in 1853. The Tokugawa shogunate closed the country, but US warships came to Japan in 1852 and 1853. Their purpose was the opening of Japan. The Tokugawa shogunate sent the Ninja to US warships, but Ninja was useless. Because Ninja didn't know English and Western things.:blush:
And there is a fun episode. In 1852, US warships came to Japan and the Samurai thought "The enemy invaded our country!". A lot of Samurai began a preparations of war, but they didn't know how to clothe the armor. Because the days of the Tokugawa shogunate was a long peaceful age and all Samurai didn't know the war.:D
The Samurai forgot the war, of course Ninja too.:sick:

NANGI

[Duo]

NANGI,
I thought that the Tokugawa era was one of the bloodiest period of Japan. If not, could you tell me which one

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Duo-san!

The Tokugawa shogunate era is the best peaceful days in Japan. Of course there was some war in before and after of Tokugawa era. But most of all days were peaceful. ;)

NANGI

[Erik]

Originally posted by NANGI
Konnichiwa Duo-san!

The Tokugawa shogunate era is the best peaceful days in Japan. Of course there was some war in before and after of Tokugawa era. But most of all days were peaceful. ;)

NANGI

Have you ever heard of a ninja park outside of Osaka? I heard about a ninja park from a friend where visitors are encouraged to dress up like ninja's. I heard the place use to be an actual training compound for ninja's. Since you live in the kansai area, I was wondering if you have heard of this place.

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Erik-san!

Have you ever heard of a ninja park outside of Osaka?
Sorry, I had lived in Osaka before but I have never heard about ninja park in Osaka.

In Kansai, Kyoto Eiga-mura is the most famous place. There is a movie studio of period drama. You can meet the Samurai.:D

http://www.toei-group.co.jp/eigamura/

NANGI

[Erik]

Originally posted by NANGI
Konnichiwa Erik-san!


Sorry, I had lived in Osaka before but I have never heard about ninja park in Osaka.

In Kansai, Kyoto Eiga-mura is the most famous place. There is a movie studio of period drama. You can meet the Samurai.:D

http://www.toei-group.co.jp/eigamura/

NANGI

Sounds good... I'll have to visit there...


BTW;

http://members.shaw.ca/paradox/ninja.swf

everything you want to know about a ninja!

[Erik]

another useful ninja link!

The official ninja homepage!

http://www.realultimatepower.net/

[Elizabeth]

Originally posted by NANGI
Konnichiwa Erik-san!


Sorry, I had lived in Osaka before but I have never heard about ninja park in Osaka.

In Kansai, Kyoto Eiga-mura is the most famous place. There is a movie studio of period drama. You can meet the Samurai.:D

http://www.toei-group.co.jp/eigamura/

NANGI
Sorry I couldn't find anything in English, but maybe this is the same one Erik is thinking of. It would make sense also being cradle to the Iga ninjas.

http://dir.yahoo.co.jp/Regional/Japanese_Regions/Leisure_Facilities/Amusement_Thema_Parks/Mie/001074/

[samuraitora]

This is a great thread, very informative.

[Himura]

Thanks for telling "the real story"

[Coolguy]

Facts:

1. Ninjas are mammals.
2. Ninjas fight ALL the time.
3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people.


http://realultimatepower.net/

Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself :D

[samuraitora]

LOL...Coolguy

[Shidenkai]

Thank you for explanation! In '80 I play'd whit many games (The last ninja-1-2-3, Shinobi, ecc) but I never found a book about Ninja; now I know new things.:note:

[Himura]

Yes... and ninjas donｴt walk... they only jump or fly... theyｴre throwing hundreds of shuriken, always carry 20 swords, are invisible and can kill 100 people with a single strike... and only wear black suits and nothing else.... lol hahahahaaa...fairy tales...^^

[Zero-sen]

NANGI-SAN, hajimemasite, if i may i'd like to answer some points?

Duo-san possibly the bloodiest period in feudal Japan's history was the Sengoku period when the Daimyo Lords such as Takeda Shingen, Oda Nobunaga and Usegi Kenshin vied for control of Japan's lands.

the Ninja suffered great loss at the Hands of Oda Nobunbaga who invaded both Iga and Koga in an attempt to remove the threat, fortunately not all Daimyo fo generals were as blind to their use and Tokugawa Ieyasu "adopted" the ninja to his advantage and later when he secured the Shogunate they were employed as police and as guards for the Palace in Edo but gradually suffered a decline in their effectiveness.

NANGI_SAN my apologies again if i have made any errors.

[Himura]

A rumour says that Uesugi Kenshin was killed by an assassin... nothing esspecial...well... but the special thing is... the rumour says he got killed while sitting on the toilette -with a naginata through his anus!!! -...scary death!!!

[mad pierrot]

Anyone seen "A Ninja pays half my Rent" ?

[Shinhan7]

Yatta! NANGI ga mitsuketa!
I remember NANGI from AnimeGrapevine and his articles are always most informative. This article about ninjas is excelent read, as always.

On a side note, any of you guys visited http://www.realultimatepower.net/
I mean that is just soooo funny.
Like this guid for seppuku:
"Step 1 Get a frisbee from the store or friend.
Step 2 Clean the Frisbee.
Step 3 Make sure your parents aren稚 around
Step 4 Put something slippery on it, like butter or cream.
Step 5 Get really super pissed.
Step 6 Fold the Frisbee hard (this is crucial)
Step 7 Keep folded and insert Frisbee into mouth hard.
Step 8 Push hard until you can稚 see it.
Step 9 Wait.
Step 10 Die."
Some people are just....


Anybody read manga "Death Note"....

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Shinhan7-san!
Oh, I'm discovered! :D
But don't try Seppuku, I think Seppuku is painful. :relief:
The manners of Seppuku was established in 1700 or after. :note:

NANGI

[Duo]

The only accurate ninja fight scene that I have been able to find in literature so far was in the book "Shogun" by James Clavell. Just once I wish they would make an anime or movie that would depict ninja fights realistically and accurately.

[RoninH]

Wow, this is exactly something I needed!

*Bookmarks*

[Zero-sen]

The only accurate ninja fight scene that I have been able to find in literature so far was in the book "Shogun" by James Clavell. Just once I wish they would make an anime or movie that would depict ninja fights realistically and accurately.


If you can find them i highly recommend "shinobi no mono". :bravo:

[BUYU]

Hello, I´m from Spain and I would like to know if somebody from Japan, know something Kawakami Jinichi San. Some people in Spain say that he is 21th Bando of Koka Ryu Ninja.

Thanks

[epigene]

Hello, I´m from Spain and I would like to know if somebody from Japan, know something Kawakami Jinichi San. Some people in Spain say that he is 21th Bando of Koka Ryu Ninja.
Thanks

Yes, you're right. He is currently director of the Iga Ninja Museum in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

http://www.iganinja.jp/english/menu.html
http://www.kankomie.or.jp/db/result.php?id=3157

[BUYU]

Thank you Epigene.

Do you know is he is a Ninja Master ? or only he is the Iga Museum Director ?

[Manchester_Mike]

I refer anyone interested in Ninja to Stephen Turnbull's excellent 1991 book on the subject, called, er, "Ninja".

I think it's out of print at the mo', though, so you'll probably have to e-bay for it.

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa BUYU-san!

Kawakami Jinichi is a Ninja Master, and is an engineer by occupation but not Ninja.
And he is a honorary director of the Iga Museum. Iga Museum is in Mie Prefecture, but he live in Fukui Prefecture.:relief:

NANGI

[BUYU]

Thank you very much NANGI-San,
There is a lot of writings in the spanish forums of martial arts, when people speak about Ninjutsu.
From one side exist the biggest group which is into the Bujinkan of Masaaki Hatsumi Soke which defende that is the only Ninjutsu from Japan, exactly from the Iga Area. And defende, that all the Ninjutsu Schools that they practice are cominig from Takamatsu Sensei.
From another side, exist a very little group that defende that the only repersentative person fron Japan who is the Head Eye of all ninja families is Kawakami Jinichi.
What do you know about Masaaki Hatsumi Soke ?. Is he know in Japan like a Ninja Master ?
What do you know about Kawakami Jinichi ? Is he really the Head of all ninja families of Koga, Iga, Konan, Tanba, etc ?
Is Kawakami Jinichi San a real ninja ?. Is Masaaki Hatsumi Soke a real ninja ?
Did you see my private messege to you ?
Best Regards, and a lo of thanks.
BUYU

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa BUYU-san!

What is a Ninja? Spy? Assassin? Magician? Superman? If you regard Ninja as Hero in movie or anime, there is not Ninja in all the world. I can not reply your question correctly because I don't know your opinion about Ninja.

Is Kawakami Jinichi San a real ninja ?. Is Masaaki Hatsumi Soke a real ninja ? Is he know in Japan like a Ninja Master ?
At first, there is not Ninja in all the world now. Of course Masaaki Hatsumi and Kawakami Jinichi are Ninja Master. But they are not Ninja. They have knowledge and skill about Ninja, and they are called Ninja Master.

Is he really the Head of all ninja families of Koga, Iga, Konan, Tanba, etc ?
There is a lot of ninja family, and there is not the Head of all ninja families.


Please tell me your opinion about Ninja and Ninja Master in detail, if you have a question. But sorry, I have not enough knowledge about Hatsumi and Kawakami. And my knowledge about Ninja is a common knowledge, I am not a professional of Ninja.:relief:

NANGI

[BUYU]

Konnichiwa NANGI-san!
What is a Ninja? Spy? Assassin? Magician? Superman? If you regard Ninja as Hero in movie or anime, there is not Ninja in all the world. I can not reply your question correctly because I don't know your opinion about Ninja.
No, it doesn´t my idea of a ninja.

Thanks a lot for your information.

[tokapi]

Q3.Is the origin of Ninja a Samurai?

A3.NO

The origin of Ninja is a Akuto. Akutou is an anti Establishment group. The constituent member of Akuto is a wanderer, sharecropper, robber, political offender, Gypsy, industrial workers, Samurai and etc. All sorts of people joined an Akuto. And they rebelled against the Government and organization of power. Akuto was born in the first half of the fourteenth century. This age is the Civil War age.

In ancient times, Akuto means an armed anti Establishment groups. But now, Akuto means a knave, rascal, villain and scoundrel.

Q4.Does "Ninja" means "Assassin" in Japanese?

A4.NO

Ninja is made from two characters(Kanji), "Nin" and "Ja". And those characters has own meaning. "Ja" means a person. What means the "Nin"? This character has three meanings. The first is "patient", the second is "hide one's feelings" and the third is "act secretly".

There were a lot of Ninja groups,and they were born in various regions. But the most important candidate for the founder was Kusunoki Masashige.Kusunoki was the leader of Akuto. And he was a specialist in guerrilla tactics. He was born at neighboring countries of Iga.


NANGI



NANGI-san,would you cite some reliable Japanese sources in rebuttal :-)


Kusinoke Masashige was a Samurai who was loyal to the Emperor, he may have been a specialist in guerrilla tactics, but that does not make a Ninja. In regards to the start of Ninja activity,excerpts from Warriors of Medieval Japan

Excerpts:

[ Secret operatoins, from guerrilla warfare to the murder of prominent rivals, are topics that may be found throughout Japanese history,but it is only from about the mid- 15th century onwards that we find refrences to such activites being carried out by specially trained indviduals who belonged to organizations dedicated to this type of warfare. Much of the activity is focused around the Iga and Koga areas of Central Japan...1 ]

[ From the mid- 15th century onwards, certain Samurai (emphasis mine) families began to develop particular skills in intelligens gathering, undercover warfare and assassination.2 ]

* As we can see here,the Ninja were orignally from Samurai background and the earliest refrences to Ninja activity being that from the mid- 15th century.


Reference:

1Turnbull, Stephen. Warriors of Medieval Japan. 142,144.

2007 Osprey Publishing Ltd.

2Ibid. 153.

[MickyD]

Hello everyone :) I was actually hoping to find a thread on ninjas/ninjutsu, and as a practitioner of ninjutsu, I'd like to put my bit in too :)
Konnichiwa Minasan!
The Ninja was born in the sixteen century. And they were active in all over Japan. But their influence fell in the first half of the seventeen century. They were active only in the sixteen century. Why dose their influence fell in the seventeen century? I reply this question in the Q20.
It is true that ninjutsu flourished in the 17th century, but it was in development long before that too. There are many different theories of were Ninjutsu originated from; as many historians have their own facts and beliefs of were it was formed. Due to the fact that Ninjutsu was developed as a highly illegal counter culture to the ruling samurai elite, this art form is shrouded in mystery and concealed deliberately for centuries. Ninjutsu did not originate from a well-defined art, many centuries passed before Ninjutsu was established as an original system.
Ninjutsu meaning‘art of stealth’, it was created in central Honshu about eleven hundred years ago. It was developed by mountain-dwelling families; these families were great observers of nature and were seen to have a close connection to the Earth. The Ninja were also very spiritual people, and their beliefs became an integral part of Ninjutsu.
It is generally accepted that most of the methods found in Ninjutsu originated in China, as after the fall of the T’ang dynasty many outcast warriors, philosophers, and military strategists escaped to Japan to avoid punishment by the new Chinese rulers. It is believed that Ninja families were exposed to many of these exiled people's sophisticated warrior strategies and philosophies over the centuries, helping to influence and shape what became Ninjutsu as it is known today.
Q16.Is Ninja stronger than Samurai?
A16.NO
Samurai is a specialist in war but Ninja is a specialist in spy. Spy can not win against professional soldier. Of course Ninja is a specialist in guerrilla tactics. Ninja can win by a surprise attack, but can not win by a frontal attack. If Ninja is stronger than Samurai, Ninja conquered Japan. But Japan was conquered by Samurai but not Ninja. Ninja train military arts, but Samurai train military arts more hard. If Ninja is found out by Samurai, Ninja run away but not fight.
Actually, the fight would depend on the skill of the individual warrior. Samurai had no advantage over a ninja in a frontal attack. They both had access to the same information in the warrior arts, and from what I've learned, the ninja would have had a slight advantage in unarmed combat (taijutsu). If anything the Samurai might be a disadvantage in a fight, simply because of their reluctance to utilise so called 'dirty fighting' - such as the use of blinding (metsabushi) powder. Samurai and Ninja were both groups of highly-trained warriors, and as stated before, would come down to the individual's own skill level to decide who would emerge the victor.
Having trained in boxing, judo and kick-boxing in the past, I'm glad I changed my training to ninjutsu. In my opinion, ninjutsu is the most effective martial art in the world today, and Japanese warriors would have been the finest soldiers during the middle ages. I'd love to hear more from people who study ninjutsu or who have studied their history too.

[tokapi]

あははははは .. 忍者子供,面白そう.They're so cute in Ninja outfits :bravo::lol::happy:

This is an interesting read on how the birthplace ( 三重県 伊賀市 ) of 忍術 promotes itself with annual festival.It offers free train rides to passagers dressed like 忍者.

full news story ...

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4098

Iga-Ninja Museum: http://iganinja.jp/en/