The role of Ninja

Ninja played an active part vigourously in Sengoku period (1497-1590) when Sengoku Daimyo（Feudal lord) had been fighting each other in the nation.

They were trying to broaden the territory so the Ninja was important for them to acheive the main purpose.

Ninja were excellent mercenary and spy but on the other hand they had a normal life as a farmer or merchant.

Ninja carried out intelligence, plot and disturbance at the same time.

Although spy was in any country,Ninja was special at this point.NIinja has four main roles.

These are information gathering, plot,unconventional warfare and counteract sabotage.

For Daimyo it was necessary to know the information of enemies in details as much as possible.

If they know the political situation,climate,troop strength,stockpile situation of food,they could make a plan to avoid the fight or attack opponent's weak points.

So it was important to get back safely than to fight for Ninja.

The activities to protect their information from the other intelligence activities were also important role of Ninja.

Sometimes Ninja gave out false information to the enemy's side so that enemy's action became more predictable.

Plot means strategy that does not use force.

To make the enemy general ally was usual strategy for Ninja.

Breaking the news that enemy's subordinate was going to betray the general was another technique Ninja did.

Doubts beget doubts and it caused internal breakdown of opponent groups.

Ninja were good at guerrilla warfare.

Even if the scale of troops are large,they couldn't show their ability without formation.

Ninja showed their ability especially in the battle of the castle and mountainous area.

Ninja also did activities such as digging pitfalls and arson.

Ninja supported the Daimyo who hired them not only by intelligence activities but also as Special Forces.

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Ninja's residence

Ninja's houses looks same as ordinary residence.In preparation for the sudden surprise attack, Ninja were making the escape route and hiding place in the house.Ninja usually had a normal life
as villagers.

Dondengaeshi

Dondengaeshi from upstairs

hidden stairs 

If small-scale attack, it was able to fight advantageously.This Ninja's house was also useful for escaping and stalling enemies.In Ninja's houses there were secret door called,"Dondengaeshi".
The wall rotates and it can be hidden on the other side.At the bottom of the altar, there is a hidden passage,so Ninja was able to escape out of the house.There was also a hidden staircase at the wooden floor.

Kougaryu Ninjyutsu Yashiki

Kougaryu Ninjyutsu Yashiki is real and only Ninja's house still exist.It was built in Edo period. Mochizuki family who were noble family of Koga Ninja made this tricky house of Ninja.In the Edo period,the world became more stable and peaceful than before but Mochizuki family ,based on the lessons learned from the past of oppression of the Koga Ninja, made perfect defence residence to be prepared for unforeseeable circumstances.

There is a pitfall ahead of "Dondengaeshi".

WEBSITE of Kouga Ninjyutsu Yashiki

Ninjyutsu (Ninja's art and magic)

The primary purpose of the Ninja's activity was to bring back the exact information.Ninja was mastering a variety of arts in order to achieve the mission.These ninja's arts are called,"Ninjyutsu".I will tell you the real style of "Ninjyutsu".

symbolic signs with fingers when intoning

Marishiten Ongyou no Jyutsu  

Making symbolic signs with fingers and intoning "On Anichi Mashiriei Sowaka"make Ninja disappear from enemies.Marishiten is a god of Samurai and Ninja.They worshiped Marishiten.

Marishiten

Izuna no Jyutsu

Mt. Izuna

By offering  carapace of turtle and deer skin of couple to Izuna Gongen,Ninja can fly the sky.Izuna Gongen is the God of Mt. Izuna.

Gosha no Jyutsu

The art of control people at will.There are five patterns at Gosha no Jyutsu. Human has six major feelings.Pleasure,anger,sorrow,enjoyment and fear.Ninja touched enemies on a sore spot related to those feelings.Everyone has their weak points in these emotions.Ninja cleverly manipulate human by knowing the human psychology deeply.

Kisha no Jyutsu

flatter target and control at will

Dosha no Jyutsu

make target angry and control

Aisha no Jyutsu

persuade by tears and control

Rakusha no Jyutsu

get along with target not by attacking but by delighting and pleasing target and make as an ally

Kyousha no Jyutsu

threaten target and control

Goyoku no Jyutsu

Human has five major desires.They are desires of appetite, sex, wealth and hobby. These desires are weak points of common people. Sometimes Ninja treat the target for dinner and at the other times introduce beautiful woman to the target.
Maybe Ninja get alomg with the target by the target's hobby.

Kajyutsu

Toribigata

Ninja were experts in fire.Ninja carried out various sabotage using the fire.By Toribigata,Ninja heat the iron powder in the bamboo tube with gunpowder and scatterd and jetted out red spark to the enemies."Katon no jyutsu" is way they escape from enemies using fire."Ka"means "fire"and "ton"means "hiding".Ninja put the gunpowder to paper ball or bamboo in advance and set fire to it. Then run away from enemies while the smoke is out.

Uzumebi

Uzumebi are used as mine embedded in soil.Ninja put the gunpowder with nail in a wooden box.Also half divided bamboo and incense sticks are in it. If the enemy steps on the box,the bamboo is cracked and fire of incense ignite gunpowder then the box explode.

Suijyutsu

For Ninja,it is necessary for them to across river and moat.Japanese castle is often surrounded by a moat.Nobody notice Ninja when they swim moat or river.He knew how he can swim silently.
If it was so long to reach the opposite shore.Ninja swam with a float that inflated the intestines of the beast.Coating the oil of Japanese anise in the body, Ninja protected himself from cold when swam in the river at winter.

Mizugumo

using Mizugumo

Mizugumo is the tool to walk the water.In "Mansenshukai",most famous esoteric writings of Ninja,Ninja waik the surface of water by Mizugumo.Some people said it is impossibe.Nowadays nobody knows the truth.

Inhou

Inhou is the way of hiding.Ninja must hide perfectly to complete the mission.By Uzuragakure Ninja became rounded and crouch down like a quail.Uzura means a quail.It was effective to hide in the dark.

Uzuragakure

Kannongakure is another way of hiding by the enemies.So as not to be noticed the breathing, Ninja hided his face with the sleeve of the kimono.Ninja didn't move like a statue even if the enemy is getting close.

Kannongakure

Genjyutsu

Genjyutsu is the way to deceive people showing a vision to them.Since the Ninja had been through in various ancient magics and ways, such a thing was possible.It is said that Ninja became hawk or mouse and escape from enemies.

Genjyutsu of Kashinkoji,famous Ninja

History of Ninja

Yennoozuno 

In Aska period (592-710),Ninja appeared in the history.Yennoozuno maybe the earliest Ninja.He was the founder of Shugendo,Japanese mountain asceticism-shamanism.He was skilled in Japanese ancient magic.It is said that he manipulated Japanese Demons. From his outstanding Japanese magic and skilled,Ninjyutu,the art of Ninja was born.

Sainyu Otomo is one of the earilest Ninja in history.He was called "Shinobi" , other way of calling Ninja. Soutokutaishi command Otomo to spy and monitor Moriya Monobe who try to seize the real power of nation.Some people said Otomo is progenitor of Koga Ninja which is one of the famous groups of Ninja.

map of "Shoen"

In Nara period (710-794), some people can owned their land, called "Shoen".Since "Shoen" fought violently each other, ninja was necessary for them. Ninja was called "Akuto",which means "villain".
Toudaiji which was one of the most powerful temple hired Iga Ninja and protect and attack other Shoen groups.Those earilest Ninja used Ninjyutsu come from Shugendo,Japanese mountain asceticism incorporating Shinto and  Buddhist concepts.

Yoshitsune Miyamoto

Yoshitsune Miyamoto who is the founder of Ninjyutsu called Yoshitsune ryu was born in this era.He was said to learn martial arts from "Tengu".He is a genious of fighting.Yoritomo Minamoto destroyed "Heike",the family who ruled the Japan, by outstanding success of Yoshitsune.

Tengu

Masashige Kusunoki

From Kamakura period(1185-1333),"Akuto",former Ninja, increased and gained strength. Masashige Kusunoki was the famous "Akutou".He fought for emperor to destroy Kamuakura shogunate.

From Japanese civil war period (Sengoku Period,1493-1590),Feudal lord hired Ninjas.Substantially there was no ruler of Japan in this period,so the load needed the Ninja for intelligent assessment, assassination and disturbance to survive.Accurate information was more important than anything for feudal lords.

From Edo period(1868-1912),Tokugawa shogunate ruled the Japan and Ninja gradually lost their place to exhibit his skills because war has almost disappeared in Japan under the rule of Tokugawa shogunate,which existed for about 260 years.

Jiraiya (Ninja in Edo period)

In the late Edo period,Tokugawa shogunate was no longer necessary to hire Ninja. Samurai,who was subordinate of  Tokugawa family did the intelligent assessment instead of Ninja.

Ninja lost their role in the society. Some of them became merchants or farmers.

Nowadays some people said Ninja disappeared or extinct.Actually Ninja disappeared from history after Edo period.However I think very few Ninja still exist in Japan.If you image there are many Ninja and Samurai in Japan,it is not true.

Jinichi Kawakami

Jinichi Kawakami met the real Ninja Isida when 6 years old. He was old man and looked like ascetic monk.He trained Jinichi and made him real Ninja.After he graduated high school,he worked as engineer in major company.Now he retired the company and is special professor of Mie college.
Some people said he is the last Ninja who lives in Japan.