Many of us are familiar with ninjas. We see them often in television shows and movies. In fact, the children knew them because of they are also depicted in cartoons. They are commonly regarded as Asian men wearing black suits that run fast like the wind and possess such precision and control over their movement. Their discrete stealth-like ability in entering and exiting places was their best trade mark. However, only few people, both the Japanese and foreign, knew that Ninjutsu is not true, but ninjas do really exist and are actually very famous and important part of the Japanese culture and history.
Ninjutsu is not like any of the traditional martial art combat that most people are familiar with. It is not to be confused for a martial art, because it is actually a different form of combat. Practitioners of Ninjutsu consider it as an independent art of samurai warfare. Most people would describe Ninjas as those who can practice all of the martial arts combined. For Japanese people, however, Ninjas are described as “ghosts” who have the ability to move like humans (Zoughari).
Ninjas originated mainly in the Iga regions in the Mie Prefecture, and Koga in the Shiga Prefecture of central Japan. The central function of Ninjas is to take part in murdering prominent rivals of the guerillas (“What is a Ninja?”). They are described as an organization who is very much involved and dedicated into the art of warfare. The secret operation of ninjas was discovered in the mid-15th century Japan. The work of a Ninja can be classified into two, namely espionage and information gathering, and mercenary warfare or assassination. Between the two roles, the former can be considered as the base role of Ninjas, for they are best known for their undercover transactions and activities (Turnbull).
Ninjas have played a very important role in the military culture of Japan. They have contributed greatly in the building of the image of Japanese warriors and soldiers. Their art has also influenced the world, making them a really important part and source of historical intelligence and context. They have dedicated themselves into mastering their craft of warfare. With their stealth-like abilities, they are able to combat intelligently with rivals. In performing their duties as spies, Ninjas use their intelligent strategies in obtaining information about their target, which will then be relayed to the Ninja assassins as their basis for the execution of their assassination attempt (Hayes).
Many people took the existence of Ninjas very lightly. Non-Japanese people have the perceived notion that Ninjas are only the results of the imagination of the human mind; they are just mere characters who add action to the show, and generally, they are believed to be non-existent at all. However, Japanese people, especially the older ones, are very passionate about them. They are aware of the existence of true Ninjas back in the beginning of their operations as a secret organization (Hayes). Their significance in the Japanese culture cannot be denied. They have shared a part of the Japanese culture that is impossible for anyone to imitate. They have set a relatively high standard for the art of warfare. They have shown incredible skills and dedication to their craft. They have shown the value of discipline and intelligence in the art of warfare. They did not only engage in pure strength-based combat, but they also employed intelligence in their actions and strategies (Hayes). This is how Ninjutsu, and the Ninjas have influenced the Japanese culture, in a way that they contributed their art as one of the many things that people truly loved and appreciated.
Works Cited
Hayes, Stephen. “The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art.” 1981. Web. 9 May 2016.
Turnbull, Stephen. “Ninja AD 1460-1650.” Osprey, 2003. Web. 9 May 2016.
"What is a Ninja?" Ninja Museum of Igaryu. Web. 9 May 2016.
Zoughari, Kacem. “The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan.” The Secret History of Ninjutsu. 2009. Web. 9 May 2016.
