The Ninja: A Brief History of Japan’s Silent Assassins (and their preferred weapons of very quiet killing)
Ninja. Shinobi. Japanese warriors trained in the art of deception, espionage, stealth, and nearly mystical (but very quiet) combat. Occasionally more myth than fact, these silent warriors were mercenaries who acted outside the samurai code. Why? To engage in methods of warfare considered dishonorable, but ultimately effective.
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Why were a ninja’s methods considered disreputable? Because the strict samurai code – known as “Bushido” – dictated warriors solve disagreements openly, and through publicly witnessed duals. Ninja had no such hangups, and through rigorous training, engaged with enemies through stealth, distraction, and disruption.
When did ninja first appear in Japan?
Although records prove antecedents in the 12th century, ninja – known mostly as “shinobi” – found greater acknowledgement during the 15th century as more organized, “open for dishonorable business” shinobi clans appeared.
If ninja were mercenaries, who paid them?
They were usually hired by “daimyo” – the feudal lords who ruled over Japan thanks to generational land ownership. And they were hired because samurai would never dare break Bushido by employing the dishonorable spycraft employed by ninja.
Where did ninja train?
The most renowned clans came from the Iga and Koga regions. And within these regions existed villages solely dedicated to training ninja. What made these regions the perfect training grounds for budding ninja? They were mostly inaccessible due to the surrounding – and very mountainous – terrain, enabling ninja to train in secret.
How were ninja trained?
They were trained in the art of “ninjutsu” (although that’s a more modern term applied to all the skills necessary for successful ninja-ing). And much like samurai, ninja were trained from birth, maintaining important traditions and teaching them fastidiously to forthcoming generations.
Ninja training would, of course, incorporate martial arts, but it would also include physical endurance (through extended running and climbing), stealth, and espionage training. Ninja were also taught survival skills, scouting, and the various means of developing/utilizing poisons, toxins, and explosives.
And of course, other weapons were an important aspect of the above-mentioned skill sets.
What are the most dependable ninja weapons?
Ninja use several, and occasionally, they serve several purposes. Let’s break it down:
Shuriken (aka, throwing stars)
These small, multi-pointed, star-shaped weapons were usually palm-sized or smaller, and regularly thrown overhand or “side-arm” with a quick wrist flick. Guaranteed to stick due to multiple sharp points, the shuriken were an indispensable, space-saving weapon that stunned, blinded, or seriously sliced.
Caltrops
(Image credit: Wikininja)
If you want to lose a pursuer, seriously slice the soles of a nearby target, or slow stampeding horses, you’ll probably drop a handful of multi-pronged caltrops (or leave them someplace strategically, and lead pursuers towards them). Featuring four sharpened ends, these metallic weapons perpetually land with one point up, ensuring an effective toe deterrent with every steel sprinkling.
Shuko
(Image credit: Wikininja)
The “shuko,” often referred to as “bear claws,” feature solid metal bands worn over the knuckles. And upon these metal bands sit four protruding spikes – either above the knuckles, and/or protruding from the palm.
Their purpose? To seriously massacre opponents with a stabby palm strike, or break skin with a puncturing fist. And if a ninja needs to climb? The shuko are perfect for gripping trees, walls, and other scalable obstacles.
The Wakizashi and Katana
(Image credit: Sword Buyers Guide)
Popular culture usually depicts ninja with the standard “katana” blade (the conventional samurai longsword), but history implies ninja wielded a shorter blade – the “wakizashi” (a shorter sword wielded by samurai, and done so simultaneously with said katana).
Why the wakizashi? Because its reduced length allowed for easier storage/transport, and it was the superior choice for smaller, indoor spaces (unlike the lengthy katana used mostly in open fields of battle).
Another advantage of the wakizashi sword? It assisted with climbing (a ninja tied said sword’s cord to his foot, propped said sword against a wall, and stepped upon the hilt to properly hop over said wall or fence).
The Bamboo Staff
(Image credit: Paramount Studios)
When ninja utilized this more common weapon, it became exceedingly more deadly. If facing a sword-swinging opponent, the ninja may duck, and then swing his staff towards the attacker’s legs, thus releasing a chambered, weighted chain. And this chain? It wrapped around the attacker, seizing any movement below the waist.
Some bamboo staffs were cleverly fitted with a feathered dart on one end, and on the other, a lead weight. So, ninja would flick the dart towards the attacker, releasing said dart. And if the attacker dodged or blocked said dart, he was probably ill-prepared for the ninja’s follow-up: a skull-crushing smack from the staff’s weighted end.
And while on the subject of bamboo-fashioned weapons…
The Bamboo Bow (with arrows)
(Image credit: Paramount Studios)
Bamboo bows were very light, and therefore, easy to carry. And ninja used them to fire an array of destructive arrows, including (but certainly not limited to) explosive arrows, poison-tipped arrows, and flaming arrows (that might also explode).
Flaming arrows were especially effective considering they terrified – and scattered – enemy horses.
The Kusarigama
(Image credit: Japanese Sword Online Museum)
A literal chain-sickle, this weapon featured a weighted chain affixed to, well, a sickle (as previously noted).
Used primarily for close-to-mid-range attacks, the kusarigama was utilized thusly: The chain, swung above the ninja much like a lasso, was hurled towards an attacker to entangle their weapon, or weapon-flailing limbs. Once entangled, the ninja could further restrict movement by tightening the chain, and then move in to deliver death blows via sickle.
Did ninja have more amazing weapons at their disposal?
They most certainly did. And if weapons couldn’t handily defeat their opponents, ninja utilized dark mystic arts to transform into animals, scurrying away from attackers to effectively regroup. And…that’s a sampling of the superstitious mystique applied to ninja over the years, and should absolutely be ignored.
Want to add to our sampling of dependable ninja weapons? Add your secret suggestions to the comments below..
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