にんじゃ

The most secretive of societies and the most dangerous of enemies, the ninja, were warrior assassin spies who flourished in Japan from the end of the Kamakura period (c. 1300) to the beginning of the Edo period (c. 1603). This was a time of struggle for supremacy between the warring military families. The ninja were hired by unscrupulous barons to gain intelligence and to assassinate their rivals or enemies.

Most of what is known about ninja has been passed on through the generations in stories and little can be found in written records. It is believed that the ninja were well organised, well equipped and extremely well trained. They sold their services to the wealthy and were totally loyal to their employer. The ninja were men and women, young and old, and from all walks of life. Quite often priests were very successful ninja— they gained much knowledge because of people's trust in them.

Bugs on tour:

A male ninja might have several families all over the country. If he was suspected of being a ninja in one location he would immediately leave that prefecture and go to live with his next family. Usually the family had no idea of his profession.

Although the origins of the ninja are shrouded in mystery there is evidence that the martial arts from which ninjutsu techniques developed were probably a fusion of Japanese and Chinese martial arts. However, much of the mystique surrounding the ninja is just myth. They were credited with the ability to become invisible, leap up tall buildings and see into the future. The ninja encouraged belief in these magical powers — their tasks were easier when their enemies were terrified of them.

After the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Japan was unified under the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The ninja clans were outlawed, but their techniques were taught to the newly emerged secret service and police force and are still taught today.

Castles おしろ

Magnificent castles were built during the feudal wars, all in commanding positions across Japan. They look impenetrable but the ninja had ways and means of infiltrating them.