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Ninja is an on'yomi (Early Middle Chinese-influenced) reading of the two kanji '忍者'. In the native kun'yomi kanji reading, it is pronounced shinobi, a shortened form of the transcription shinobi-no-mono (忍の者). These two systems of pronouncing kanji create words with similar meanings.<br/><br/> The word shinobi appears in the written record as far back as the late 8th century in poems in the Man'yōshū. The underlying connotation of shinobi (忍) means 'to steal away', hence its association with stealth and invisibility. Mono (者) means 'a person'. It also relates to the term shinobu, which means to hide.<br/><br/> Historically, the word ninja was not in common use, and a variety of regional colloquialisms evolved to describe what would later be dubbed ninja.
Hand-coloured illustration from a Japanese miscellany on traditional trades, crafts and customs in mid-18th century Japan, dated Meiwa Era (1764-1772) Year 6 (c. 1770 CE).
A ninja (忍者) or shinobi (忍び) was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan who specialized in unorthodox warfare. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, and open combat in certain situations.<br/><br/> Their covert methods of waging war contrasted the ninja with the samurai, who observed strict rules about honor and combat. The shinobi proper, a specially trained group of spies and mercenaries, appeared in the Sengoku or 'warring states' period, in the 15th century, but antecedents may have existed in the 14th century, and possibly even in the 12th century (Heian or early Kamakura era).
A ninja (忍者) or shinobi (忍び) was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan who specialized in unorthodox warfare. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, and open combat in certain situations.<br/><br/> Their covert methods of waging war contrasted the ninja with the samurai, who observed strict rules about honor and combat. The shinobi proper, a specially trained group of spies and mercenaries, appeared in the Sengoku or 'warring states' period, in the 15th century, but antecedents may have existed in the 14th century, and possibly even in the 12th century (Heian or early Kamakura era).
Kuji-kiri is an esoteric practice which, when performed with an array of hand 'seals' (kuji-in), was meant to allow ninja to enact superhuman feats. The kuji ('nine characters') is a concept originating from Taoism, where it was a string of nine words used in charms and incantations.<br/><br/> Intended effects range from physical and mental concentration, to more incredible claims about rendering an opponent immobile, or even the casting of magical spells. These legends were captured in popular culture, which interpreted the kuji-kiri as a precursor to magical acts.
Hand-coloured illustration from a Japanese miscellany on traditional trades, crafts and customs in mid-18th century Japan, dated Meiwa Era (1764-1772) Year 6 (c. 1770 CE).
A <i>shuriken</i> (Japanese 手裏剣; literally: 'sword hidden in user's hand') is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing. They are sharpened hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items, such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers, and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken is the name given to any small-bladed object, while shaken is traditionally used to indicate the well-known 'throwing star'.<br/><br/><i>Shuriken</i> are commonly known in the West as 'throwing stars' or 'ninja stars' though they took many different shapes and designs during the time they were used. The major varieties of <i>shuriken</i> are the <i>bō shuriken</i> (棒手裏剣, stick shuriken) and the <i>hira shuriken</i> (平手裏剣, flat shuriken) or <i>shaken</i> (車剣, also read as <i>kurumaken</i>, wheel <i>shuriken</i>).
Hand-coloured illustration from a Japanese miscellany on traditional trades, crafts and customs in mid-18th century Japan, dated Meiwa Era (1764-1772) Year 6 (c. 1770 CE).
Kuji-kiri is an esoteric practice which, when performed with an array of hand 'seals' (kuji-in), was meant to allow ninja to enact superhuman feats. The kuji ('nine characters') is a concept originating from Taoism, where it was a string of nine words used in charms and incantations.<br/><br/> Intended effects range from physical and mental concentration, to more incredible claims about rendering an opponent immobile, or even the casting of magical spells. These legends were captured in popular culture, which interpreted the kuji-kiri as a precursor to magical acts.