History Behind the Ninjas

828 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ninja history in japan

Knowledge of Ninjas
Even though everyone knows their name, how much do we know really know about ninjas? Sure, we see ninjas on movies and in our books, but what part of the ninja history do we have no idea about. This research paper will explain most of the history behind the ninja.
“In modern movies and comic books, ninjas are portrayed in all-black clothing, with only their eyes showing. Actual ninjas wore navy blue for night operations. Usually, however, they dressed to blend in with their targets”(History). Clothing was important to the ninja, but something even more important to the ninja was his/her weapons. They had a few main weapons, including the following: shinobigatana, medium-length swords, the bo, naginata, war staves, and pikes(Kallie). Those were not the only weapons ninjas used. In fact, they even invented some weapons. One of was called the shuko, or an iron hand-crampon, which ninjas used to climb. One other useful item ninjas invented was the tessen, which was a sharpened metal fan(History).
There was three classes that the ninjas could be in. The highest level in the ninja social order was the Jonin. This ninja could be called the “high man.” This ninja took orders from nobody(Kallie). Chonin is the next level of the ninja social class. This ninja could be called the “middle man.” This ninja took orders from the Jonin. The Chonin also gave orders to the Genin(Kallie). There is one more class in ninja social class. The name of this class is Genin. This class takes orders from both the...

... middle of paper ...

...tory.about.com/od/warsinasia/p/NinjaProfile.htm>.
“Iga-ryu ninjutsu what is a ninja? ninja museum of igryu.” Iga Ninja 04 February 2014. .
Kallie, Szczepanski. “History of the ninja.” About 27 January 2014. .
Masaaki, Hatsumi Sensei. “Ninjato.” Chello 03 February 2014. .
“Ninja weapons.” Enter the Ninja 03 February 2014. .
“Ninjutsu.” Ninutsu 03 February 2014. .
“Shinobi of koka and iga ryu ninjutsu.” Weebly 11 February 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Ise And Izumo Summary

    610 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his 1996 chapter of “The Grand Shrines of Ise and Izumo: The Appropriation of Vernacular Architecture” of the Architecture and Authority in Japan, William Howard Coaldrake explores the history and the purpose of the Grand Shrines of Ise and Izumo.

    Read More

  • The Samurai's Garden Quotes

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the ancient Japanese culture, one great aspect was on how they emphasized on the intrinsic themes of loyalty and honor. They had fierce warriors known as samurai’s. A samurai was a traditional warrior who would protect and be loyal to their masters no matter what. They were known to be skilled soldiers, benevolent men, self-sacrifice, sense of shame, along with other major characteristics that embodied them as a samurai. While this class of warrior no longer exist today, the remembrance of a samurai is present in the minds of the characters in the novel, The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama does a fascinating piece of work by really elaborating and describing the great attributes that Matsu possess of a true samurai. In the

    Read More

  • Samurai Dbq

    570 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first way that samurai have an advantage in battles are their weapons. In the History Channel Warriors Video by Terry Schappert, A Katana measures about 42 inches of length. The Katana has a slight curve in the blades used for slashing instead of stabbing. The handle is wrapped in sting ray skin and bound with silk or leather so the samurai won’t lose his grip. This shows that the Katana is a strong and is a stable weapon, perfect for a battle. Another piece of evidence that supports this claim is in the History Channel video Warriors Video written by Terry Schappert, A samurai uses the tip of the

    Read More

  • Samurai And Knights Similarities

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    European knights wore armor that is made of metal. Due to the metal armor, their whole body was protected very well, and yet it was too heavy. In addition, it sometimes even limited knight’s vision and breathing ability because of the large protection of the helmet. In contrast, samurai’s armor was very light compared to the knight’s. “Samurai wore armor that is made of leather and steel laced together with silk cords.” Therefore, samurai was able to move quickly and agilely. However, samurai’s armor had less protection for their body, making them more vulnerable than knights. Their weapons had some differences as well. The primary weapons of knights were the long lance and the sword, but they also used poleaxe, dagger, and mace. The sword was always the foundational weapon of knights, whereas, the sword was not the one of the major weapons for samurais. Samurais primarily used the bow and arrow and the Yari that is, “One of the Japanese traditional blades in the form of a

    Read More

  • Samurai

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    Musui’s Story is the exciting tale of a low class samurai’s life towards the end of the Tokugawa era. Although one would normally imagine a samurai to be a noble illustrious figure, Musui’s Story portrays the rather ignominious life of an unemployed samurai. Nonetheless, this primary account demonstrates the tenacity of samurai values and privileges present at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. The social status of samurai had been elevated to such a state that even someone like Musui was easily able to gain influence in everyday affairs with his privileges. Not only that, but he had retained his values as a warrior and still kept great pride for his arts in weaponry.

    Read More

  • Japanese Katana

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stories about war and implements of such can be observed throughout the course of Japanese history. This shows the prevalence of martial training and the profession of arms as a tradition that has not faded since ancient times (Friday and Humitake 13).

    Read More

  • Influence of the Samurai on Modern Japanese Society

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today deriving directly and indirectly from the beliefs of the Samurai.

    Read More

  • Yakuza Existence

    1314 Words  | 3 Pages

    The notion of yakuza’s existence; one of the world’s most well-known organized crime syndicates, is very obvious and well-aware inside the Japanese society both in the olden and present day. They are very well perceived by the public. Yakuza’s confirmation of existence can be seen on several circumstances; for instance, yakuza magazine and video games, their participation in annual Sanja matsuri and the headquarters around the big cities.

    Read More

  • Shintoism in History

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Shinto in History."Shinto in History: Ways of the Kami. Ed. John Breween and Mark Teeuwen.

    Read More

  • Jujitsu Essay

    819 Words  | 2 Pages

    To a person not conversant with this art, Jujitsu may be considered as a foul or derogatory term in Japanese. However, Jujitsu us one of the most effective and deadly forms of martial arts taught today. Unique among other forms of combat, Jujitsu holds the position of a “parent art”, of from which other forms of martial arts such as Aikido, Judo and several Karate styles were extracted. Jujitsu is a combination of all levels of combat. It incorporates chokes, striking, grappling, nerve and pressure point attacks, joint locks, redirection of momentum and throws.

    Read More

  • Samurai And Knights Comparison Essay

    823 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Document C “Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire”, talks about how the samurai and knights both started training at a young ages. The knights started training at ages 4-5 a little earlier than the Samurai who started training at 6-7. The Samurai training only lasted until they were 14 unlike the knights whose training lasted until they were 21. Although, the samurai training was shorter they still covered all the important areas. They also had similar armor and both consisted of metal. The samurai had a little bit more movement in their arms, but the armor was used for the same reasons, protection. Document D by Terry Bennett says, “Samurai did not wear armor on their right arm so they could easily draw their bow.” These similarities were significant because without these things both classes would lose the battle every time, and if they didn’t have armor they would get killed, and these similarities is one of the reasons the two groups are so alike. Both of the classes were so a like that’s it’s hard to acknowledge their

    Read More

  • Samurai, Yangban, and Gentry: Dealing with the Problem of the Uprising of the Lower Classes

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    The samurai of Tokugawa Japan, the yangban of Choson Korea, and the gentry of Ming China were three very powerful and elite groups of East Asia. These groups consisted of high ranking government officials with judicial power and influence. Although the groups were located in the same region they had their similarities and differences in how they obtained power and how they used their power. Japanese samurai were military nobility who had almost as much power as the emperor, but were not the highest ranking officials whereas the yangban officials of Korea were the highest ranking rulers. The gentry of the Ming period of China were once high ranking rulers; however, the gentry were defined as retired Chinese bureaucrats. Socially, all of these groups, at one point or another, were high ranking officials with power in office. The elite groups ruled in different areas of Asia, but they had similarities as well as differences in sources of power, functions as officials, and the problems they faced as elite groups in Asia.

    Read More

  • Gangs

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    "21st-Century Yakuza: Recent Trends in Organized Crime in Japan ~ JapanFocus." 21st-Century Yakuza: Recent Trends in Organized Crime in Japan ~Part 1: JapanFocus. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014

    Read More

  • Shinto: A Native Religion

    1637 Words  | 4 Pages

    Shinto is a native religion of Japan and the people of Japan. It is defined as an action centered religion, focused on ceremonial practices to be carried out thoroughly, to establish a assembly between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and organized in the written historical records of the Jokiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century (Nelson 7-8). Still, these early Japanese writings do not refer to a joined “Shinto religion”, but rather to a gathering of native beliefs and mythology.

    Read More

  • Japan and Japanese Culture

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many historical aspects of the Japanese, but the most interesting is the history of the Samurai. In Japans history war played a large role in the country. Controlling clans fought for parts of the land and overall control of the country. These clans were powerful families that resided in the country and who all wanted power and control of Japan for themselves. The families that would be in control were known as Shoguns. These shoguns would have warriors that fought for them if any of the other clan families would try to attack him in order to overthrow him and take his power from him. The Samurai followed a code that developed from Chinese beliefs when in battle. The Samurais code was known as the Bushido. This code was also known as “The Way of The Warrior” which was the main belief s...

    Read More

More about History Behind the Ninjas

Open Document