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.