When you think of a ninja, what kind of image comes to mind?
Perhaps it's someone who runs from shadow to shadow, expertly handles various unique weapons, and uses special techniques to infiltrate deep into enemy territory to steal crucial information or, at times, carry out assassinations. A master spy and at the same time the most formidable warrior. Is that the image you have?
In recent years, research has been progressing in Japan to uncover the true nature of ninjas. What has come to light is that the image described above is quite far from reality.
It has become clear that the current image of ninjas has been significantly influenced by later creations, such as novels and films.
This time, I would like to write about ninjas, incorporating the latest research findings.
Research on ninjas has long been considered a highly challenging endeavor. First of all, due to the nature of their work, it was crucial for ninjas to operate in secrecy, which often meant that they deliberately left no records. It is highly likely that their activities were kept off the books to prevent them from being discovered by enemies.
Similarly, ninjutsu, or the techniques of ninjas, were often passed down orally or maintained as strict secrets, and they were rarely made public. Ninjutsu was usually transmitted secretly within families or specific groups, which meant that information about these techniques and their use seldom leaked to outsiders, making it difficult for those outside to fully understand them.
Moreover, samurai and feudal lords of the time often avoided making the existence of ninjas public, which resulted in few official records mentioning ninjas.
Despite these difficulties, in recent years, researchers have been gradually uncovering the true nature of ninjas from the limited historical materials available.
The term 'ninja' itself only became widely used in the 1960s. According to ancient documents from the Edo period (around the 18th century), they were referred to as 'shinobi-no-mono' at the time. While the kanji for '忍者(shinobi-no-mono)' can be read as 'ninja,' the name 'ninja' is believed to have gained popularity due to fictional works created in Japan after World War II.
As for the iconic ninja weapon, the 'shuriken,' recent research suggests that it was likely rarely used. One reason is that it was inconvenient to carry. Additionally, its effectiveness as a weapon is questionable. While it might cause minor injuries, it lacks significant killing power. More importantly, during the time ninjas were active, iron was extremely valuable. It is hard to imagine that such a precious resource would have been thrown away in this manner.
So, what were the actual tools of the ninjas?
Recent research has revealed that while the shuriken was an exceptional weapon for ninjas, what practical weapons did they actually use?
Researchers suggest that 'needles' were highly useful. Needles could be used to sew torn clothes while traveling, provide acupuncture treatments (traditional Eastern medicine) for a tired body, and even serve as a weapon in combat. Most importantly, carrying needles would not raise suspicion from anyone.
Among the few surviving historical documents, some describe how to effectively use needles.
As academic research progresses, the distinction between the fictional image created by movies and the actual historical reality of ninjas is becoming clearer.
Another major misconception about ninjas is their attire. Ninjas are often imagined to wear an all-black outfit, but documents from around the 18th century describe them as wearing the typical clothing of ordinary townspeople. When you think about it, it becomes obvious: given the secretive nature of their work, it wouldn’t make sense for ninjas to wear something that would immediately reveal their identity.
So, why did the black outfit become associated with ninjas?
One reason why the image of ninjas wearing black outfits became popular is due to kabuki, a traditional form of Japanese theater from the Edo period (1603–1868). Kabuki was a form of entertainment for the common people at the time, and it is believed that black costumes were used to clearly depict ninjas on stage.
The prevailing theory today is that real ninjas dressed in ways that allowed them to blend in with their surroundings, avoiding attention.
While it may be disappointing to see the iconic image of ninjas challenged, it raises the question: What kind of figures were ninjas really?
There is an ancient document from the 17th century that records the annual income of ninjas.
According to this document, ninjas earned approximately $7,200 to $15,000. Given the strict social hierarchy of the time, this suggests that ninjas were treated on par with lower-ranking samurai based on their income.
Their duties mainly involved tasks such as guarding gates or protecting important individuals, similar to the role of modern security personnel, focusing on maintaining public order. However, this pertains to the peaceful Edo period.
If we go further back to the Sengoku period (late 15th to 16th century), the situation was entirely different.
Japan experienced a period of significant turmoil leading up to the Edo period (1603–1868). Regarding the Sengoku period, I have written about it before, so please feel free to refer to that if you are interested.
【What is the Warring States Period in Japan?】
The role of ninjas during the Sengoku period (late 15th to 16th century) was far more varied compared to the peaceful Edo period.
One of the main tasks of ninjas was to scout enemy positions and gather crucial information. This intelligence-gathering was akin to modern-day espionage.
Ninjas also carried out acts of sabotage, targeting the enemy's supplies and weaponry.
By cutting off supply lines or destroying key facilities such as armories and castles, they weakened the enemy’s military capabilities. These acts of sabotage were especially effective in disrupting the enemy during the preparatory stages of battle, causing confusion and reducing their strength.
Psychological warfare was another area of expertise for ninjas.
By spreading false information or instilling fear and paranoia, their goal was to create internal chaos within the enemy’s ranks, allowing for a more advantageous position in battle.
And then, there was assassination.
Particularly during the Sengoku period, power struggles between rival leaders were intense, and sometimes eliminating an enemy through assassination, rather than in battle, became a strategic necessity. Ninjas were skilled in the art of assassination, employing poison, traps, and swordsmanship to target their enemies.
The role of ninjas was varied, and the skills they developed to fulfill their missions were collectively known as ninjutsu. Many of these techniques were practical and realistic. What exactly was ninjutsu as a form of survival skills? Recent research has shed light on various aspects, and although the list is extensive, I will introduce just a few examples.
For instance, there is a method for determining direction in ninjutsu scrolls. It says, 'Use the Big Dipper to find your direction.' This part is relatively easy to imagine. But what did they do when the sky was cloudy and neither the stars nor the sun could be seen? The ninjutsu scroll advises, 'Float the needle you always carry on water.' The needle, in fact, had been magnetized and was processed to function as a compass. Ninjas knew that by heating the needle and cooling it while aligned with the north-south axis, they could magnetize it.
When infiltrating enemy territory and needing to remain hidden for extended periods, portable food became essential. Reproducing the portable food described in ninjutsu scrolls revealed an unexpected discovery: many of the ingredients were traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Simply satisfying hunger wouldn't require such herbs. Upon examining their medicinal properties, it became clear that they not only provided nutrition but also helped reduce stress. This careful consideration for surviving the stressful life of hiding is quite astonishing.
In a time of low literacy rate during the warring periods(16th century), ninjas were an intellectual group, capable of reading and possessing knowledge of astronomy and science.
The ninjas, despite being an intellectual group, were bound by strict rules. One of these rules was to strictly abstain from indulgences in alcohol, material desires, and sexual urges. This teaching was called seishin (purity of heart), which prohibited the use of ninjutsu for personal gain or selfish desires. But why did ninjas impose such ascetic rules on themselves while undertaking dangerous missions that were constantly shadowed by death?
It was because ninjas harbored a deep desire for peace among the common people.
The character for nin (忍) carries the meaning of enduring and withstanding hardships.
There is a saying used to describe an exceptional ninja: 'They move without a sound, leave no scent, have no honor, no fame. Their achievements seem as if they happened naturally.'
Even after the enemy is vanquished, they do not speak of their martial success or their clandestine acts of espionage. As a result, people believe the enemy's downfall was due to mere misfortune, as if it were a natural occurrence.
While ninjas are often regarded as heroes, in reality, they were people who endured the turmoil of war, living quietly with the hope of peace.
FIN
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