Ninja
Ninja refers to a group of skilled operatives in feudal Japan, often known by the older term shinobi. These individuals specialized in covert operations that required stealth, secrecy, and subterfuge, typically serving powerful households during a time of territorial conflict. Traditionally, ninja came from lower-class backgrounds, which allowed them to blend in with the common populace, often disguised as farmers. Their missions frequently involved espionage and gathering intelligence, with some accounts suggesting they were also tasked with assassinations.
Historically, ninja were rarely documented in official records due to their secretive nature and the perception of their activities as dishonorable compared to the noble samurai. The combination of their elusive operations and the limited historical references led to exaggerated tales of their capabilities, giving rise to a mythologized version of the ninja as possessing superhuman abilities. In modern popular culture, ninja are often depicted with distinct weaponry and attire, diverging significantly from their historical counterparts. This fascination has permeated various media forms, including manga and comic books, contributing to a global fascination with the ninja archetype.
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Ninja
Ninja refers to a group of trained operatives in feudal Japan or a single member of that group. The older term shinobi also applies and is generally interchangeable with ninja. Ninja specialized in operations that required stealth and secrecy. They were typically lower-class members of society, serving one of several houses as they struggled for power and territory. While individual ninja had different roles, many were tasked with infiltrating enemy territory, posing as locals to gather information. Ninja were also believed to commit assassinations, using their skills to get close to high-ranking enemies.
Because of their secrecy and lower-class roots, ninja were rarely mentioned in historical documents. However, tales of their feats impressed listeners and gave way to increasing exaggeration. Within a generation of their existence, Japanese society's image of a ninja was a being with superhuman skills and powers. Ninja became popular in Japanese fiction and eventually appeared in European and North American fiction although these characters bore little resemblance to their historical source.
History
In feudal Japan, several different territories led by rulers known as shogun fought amongst themselves and with neighboring nations. These conflicts brought about the first samurai. Samurai were members of the upper class and nobility, but they engaged in direct combat. They were known for their extensive training and code of honor.
However, the leaders of several houses realized that the open, direct, and honorable form of combat approved by the samurai code prevented them from seizing opportunities to gain an advantage over their rivals. To that end, they called upon members of the lower classes to partake in missions that were less prestigious but required great skill and courage.
Ninja were versatile and able to adapt to whatever a particular situation required. Their clothing and equipment differed drastically depending on their mission or the territory they were infiltrating. The most common outfit for a ninja was farmer's clothing, since most of the lower-class population farmed, and many ninja had a farming background themselves. Farmers were also plentiful and beneath the notice of the upper classes. Dressing like this helped ninja easily blend into enemy territory.
In modern fiction, ninja are often shown with a distinct set of weaponry, which includes swords, artificial claws, and small, star-shaped throwing blades called shuriken. However, historians believe historical ninja rarely used swords, since swords would be difficult to carry and conceal, especially when posing as a non-combatant. Some used farmers' tools or weapons that looked similar and could pass as tools.
The last historical accounts of ninja actively participating in conflict are from the 1600s. Following this, some historians and enthusiasts have suggested that other groups succeeded the ninja. One such group emerged in the early 1700s when a shogun created an inner circle known as the onibawan. This group was tasked with spying and informing the shogun about the activities of high-ranking members of society and the government.
Impact
Because of their nature, ninja are rarely mentioned in historical documentation. In contrast with the samurai of the same period, ninja's actions were seen as underhanded and deceptive, making ninja less likely to be portrayed as heroic figures, even if they fought for the same leaders as the samurai. Ninja's lower-class origins formed another barrier, as the nobility of the time had less interest in them. The secretive nature of their missions also made it difficult to determine what their objectives were and how they carried them out.
Because little was known about them during their existence, people thought ninja were mysterious and soon began inventing stories about them. After the decline of the historical ninja, stories about ninja became increasingly outlandish. For example, ninja's ability to move quickly while remaining undetected led to stories of ninja who could become invisible and run at superhuman speeds, even across water. Some stories featured ninja who could control fire, water, wind, or earth. Many stories featured ninja who could communicate with animals, in particular frogs.
As global travel and trade increased, stories about ninja began spreading west, spawning more varieties of the legendary operatives. In the early 1800s, ninja were commonly depicted wearing black cloth, which was used to make masks, gloves, and shoes. While this type of dress might be useful in complete darkness, it would have been counterproductive for historical ninja who often posed as ordinary citizens. This all-black attire was likely inspired by Japanese plays, in which stagehands wore all black and covered their faces to blend into dark backgrounds and avoid becoming the focus of the audience.
As more forms of media emerged in the twentieth century, ninja became an even greater fixture of pop culture in both Japan and the West and were especially prominent in comic books. One of the most popular Japanese manga was Naruto, which portrays a school that trains prospective ninja, who learn a wide variety of supernatural abilities. American comics blended ninja characters and attributes with superhero stories. This was most prevalent with the storylines of the Marvel characters Daredevil and Wolverine. Ninja became such a strong presence in superhero comics that independent comic creators published a story parodying the phenomenon. Their creation—Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—was immensely popular and its characters were featured in several different movies and television series.
Bibliography
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