Ninja

Ninjas were professional spies and assassins during the age of the samurai. Their origins go back to the twelfth century when the samurai class began to gain power. When the scale of fighting increased in the fourteenth century, it

became necessary to conduct espionage activities against enemy forces, and ninja became even more active. Ninja remained active until the

beginning of the Edo period (1600 – 1868), when social order was restored by the government in

Edo.

Ninja were called upon by their feudal lords to gather information, plunder the enemy’s food and weapon supplies, and kill individual targets. Their specialized training included: flexibility exercises;

falling without injury; developing awareness; exercises for developing balance, coordination,and

timing; as well as a vast array of techniques and principle for self-defense, including weapons usage

and disarming methods.

Both men and women were ninjas. Female ninjas were called “kunoichi.”

The primary disguise of a ninja was that of a peasant farmer. Few people took notice of a

common peasant in medieval Japan. This meant that many of a ninja’s weapons were common

farm tools.

Clothing

Since ninjas moved quickly, their costumes had to be light in weight. Furthermore, because the ninjas had to hide themselves frequently, the color of the costumes had to be inconspicuous. The colors used the most were dark blue, reddish gray, brown and gray. Although the black costumes are the most

famous, black would actually catch the eyes of the enemies, even in night. Therefore, the ninjas used

them only in religious festivals and never for practical use.

The ninjas usually tied a piece of cloth on their waists when living regularly as a farmer. When

they received special missions, they would cover their heads with the cloth and change into Ninjas.

It is said that the ninja had their own writing

characters, called Shindai letters, in

addition to the Chinese characters that the Japanese

used. The characters are hard to identify and the ninja used

them to communicate with others.

Writing

Weapons

Trick sticks

Ninjas used hollow sticks which had a metal piece and chain hidden within. These sticks were used as

weapons as well as tools to disguise the ninjas as old people.

Maki-bishi

The Maki-bishi is a pyramid shaped weapon that has three sharp points. Among the three points, the one in the top position would damage the feet of the

enemies when spread on the ground. The Maki-bishi were made of iron, bamboo, or by twisting

two needles. This weapon was usually used when escaping from enemies.

Other weapons

The ninjas used other weapons, such as the Tekokagi, an iron cat-claw shaped weapon, the Kunai which was used to dig dry ground or to open holes in walls, and

the Saku which was used to open keys.

Shuriken

The iron Shurikens are the most famous weapon of the ninjas. As the Shurikens were easy to carry around and

because they didn't produce any sound, and also for easy use (they were simply thrown to the enemies), the Ninjas frequently used the Shurikens- There were four types of

Shurikens; a stick type, a flat type, a cross type and a two-layer flat type.

How a Shuriken was really thrown

Shurikens were thrown in a way to rotate in the air. And when a

Shuriken hits an enemy, it was best to be in a vertical position against

the enemy's body.

Since it was natural for the peasants to possess nails, they

were sometimes used as Shurikens.

Sickles with chains attached

A sickle if a curved bladed tool for harvesting rice. Ninjas would attach a chain to the sickle and then swing it in the air. Either the chain or the blade could great damage to the opponent. This was a

favorite weapon among women ninjas.

Trap ropes

The trap ropes are used for binding the enemy's arms or legs in a very short time in order to capture them alive. There are seven knots for these trap ropes, such as the

Ichimonji-nawa and the Ebi-nawa.

The Ebi-nawa was used to bind the right arm to the left leg so the

enemy cannot move.

This Ichimonji-nawa was used to bind the enemy's arms in one. The Ninjas also used red pepper

powder, spores, lime powder and charcoal powder to blind their enemies. By throwing these powders into the eyes, the enemies would be blind for a moment.

The Ichimonji-nawa and blinding

Rope ladders

It was normal for peasants to own

rope. In this disguise, ninjas

could use rope to make ladders.

They could tie 3 or 4 sickles tight with a rope and swing it up to hook onto the

wall.

The Ninja sword

The swords that the Ninjas used were approximately two feet long. The swords were rather wide compared to

the popular Japanese swords, and thick and straight in form. In addition to piercing the enemies, the swords

were used in various ways. The sword itself was sometimes used as a step when climbing high walls, and the case of the swords were used for breathing in water

and hearing secret conversations beyond walls.

Ninja Breath Control

Ninja’s trained themselves to breathe in a fast and rhythmic pattern when running long

distances, reducing mental stress, or focusing their concentration. This technique would fill

their bodies with the maximum amount of oxygen possible.

Breath In

Breath Out

Breath Out

Breath In

Breath Out

Breath In

Breath In

Breath Out

Start over again

Trick Houses

Ninjas lived in special homes called “trick houses.” Although this house appears to be a typical farm house, it

actually has many tricks and traps inside of it. If an enemy invaded the house, the ninja would escape through

revolving walls, hidden stairs, or down rope ladders.

By pushing a certain spot on the wall, the wall revolves and changes into an entrance

of another space. The enemy will not notice the existence of the hidden entrance as it will revolve again and fit in the original position.

By inserting two cards in the top and bottom position of the frame on the left, a large horizontal bar would drop down.

Then the panel would open aside allowing the ninja to escape through it.

Hidden ladders could be triggered to fall with one push in the right place on a wall or

the ceiling.

When stepping on a certain position on a floorboard, the opposite side of the board, with a hidden sword attached to it, would

lift up. Swords were usually hidden in places where nobody would normally walk

in the house.

Entire walls could slide open allowing a ninja to suddenly appear in a room.