When we think of Ninjas today, we may think of their effect on pop culture through popular animated series such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or the Lego Ninjago series. But historically, what were they, and to what extent did they actually have a role to play within Japanese history?
Ninja is written as 忍者, literally meaning the one who endures and is secretive. Ninjas were known for their spying and infiltration skills. Ironically, within Japan, due to its well-known nature, some historians such as Stephen Turnbull argue that it was perhaps used more as a special unit of troops rather than a spy.
A sketch of a typical Ninja by Hokusai
Origin
In the unrest of the Sengoku (literally meaning warring country) period from 1417 AD to 1615 AD, regions faced constant threat of takeovers from enemy states. Thus, local samurai formed ikki (or leagues) to protect themselves from potential invaders while also generating income. Thus, within the Iga province and the Koka province, the newly formed ninjas practically worked as mercenaries for the highest bidder at the time. However, its origins remain relatively unclear, as there are multiple potential sources of potential ninja references within historical documents at the time and in previous periods, suggesting an ambiguity as to where they truly came from first. For example, some state that religious-ascetic traditions of Shugendo (mountain ascetics) and Yamabushi (mountain hermits) influenced the first ninja. While also some quote Yamamoto Takeru, the prince of the imperial dynasty in the 2nd century, as being the first Ninja, known to kill enemies using disguises and sneaking up on them at night. However, empirical evidence of his existence largely stems from the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, which both contain mythological accounts of Shinto Gods as well as accounts of Yamamoto Takeru fighting against monsters, adding to the unreliability of the sources that claim his existence.
Yamamoto Takeru-He is perceived by some to be the first Ninja.
Ninja teachings
Within areas that practiced Ninja-teachings, both loyalty for the Daimyo who paid them and endurance was taught. In training, children were known to be taught basic skills such as surviving in a subsistent manner in the wild. Later on, Ninjas were known to be taught different “jyutsus”, or skills, that could be used within missions. This included disguises such as becoming a farmer or monk, utilizing explosives to create distractions, and writing in secret code that could only be understood by fellow Ninjas. In addition to these skills, Ninjas would be expected to be experts in Shuriken (thrown spikes), Tanto (a short Katana), and Kunai (pointed Iron). However, similar to its origin, the complete reliability of these Ninja-related teachings remain ambiguous as most teachings were created in the Tokugawa Shogunate era (1603-1868) and thus, it lacks a primary source and relies on oral tradition.
A Real Shuriken
Historical impacts
The Battle of Okehazama
Despite the unreliability in its origin and practices, it is clear that Ninjas had an impact on Japanese history. In 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, one of the most powerful warlords at the time, marched westward towards Kyoto to establish himself as the de facto ruler of Japan. Imagawa Yoshimoto’s armies immediately crushed two of Oda Nobunaga’s (the local lord’s) fortresses, leading many to expect the same outcome for Nobunaga’s castle, especially as Nobunaga only held 1/12th of the soldiers that Yoshimoto did. However, with the help of Koga Ninjas, Oda Nobunaga was able to collect precious information on the Imagawa army’s weaknesses (they were partying at the time) and ambush Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was killed in the chaos. This battle had significant consequences for Japanese history, as Nobunaga was propelled to become one of the most powerful warlords in Japan after the battle, eventually leading him to become the de facto ruler of Japan only eight years later. In a battle where the size of the armies differed and was won with superior intelligence, it is safe to say that Nobunaga would have faced difficulty, if not death, with the help of Ninjas.
The Battle of Okehazama
Influence on Takeda Shingen
It was not just Oda Nobunaga that utilized Ninjas during this period. Shingen Takeda, widely considered one of the best strategists and warlords at the time, also used Ninjas to score stunning victories against his enemies. In fact, if it were not for his death from disease, historians such as Stephen Turnbull argue that after annihilating Tokugawa Ieyasu’s force of 11,000 men, he would have most likely overtaken the future Shogun’s land possessions. For example, in the battle of Mitagahara, where Takeda destroyed most of the Tokugawa army, his intelligence from Ninjas allowed him to time his cavalry charges. Furthermore, in other notable battles, such as the Siege of Fukashi castle, Takeda allowed his Ninjas to commit arson, spread rumors of potential betrayals, and cause chaos and fighting within opposition lines to allow him to hold a greater advantage within the battlefield.
The battle of Mikatagahara- Takeda Shingen’s army experienced losses of 500-2000 men, whereas Tokugawa Ieyasu’s army of 11,000 men was almost completely destroyed
The Iga Crossing
Ironically, despite the deep losses suffered by Tokugawa Ieyasu due to the work of Samurais in the past, his life would be saved by one; thus, without Ninjas, the Tokugawa Shogunate that lasted over 200 years most likely would not have existed. Oda Nobunaga, who was the de facto leader of Japan and was an ally of Ieyasu, suddenly died by treachery in 1582. The traitor, Akechi Mitsuhide, was now technically the ruler of the land Ieyasu was in, as he was visiting Oda Nobunaga at the time. Thus, around 200 km in enemy territory, Ieyasu only had around 40 men to protect himself. His situation was so dangerous that some legends state that he was even asked to commit seppuku, as his risk of survival was perceived to be too small.
With Mitsuhide’s patrols around the area, he was in need of guides who could get him to his castle without being caught sight of. It was then that Hattori Hanzo, an Iga Ninja, promised that Ieyasu would reach his land safely. With the help of disguises, bribery, and fighting, Ieyasu was able to reach home safely after five days of travelling. Ieyasu was so thankful for the Ninjas that he created official positions for Ninjas so that they no longer had to be uncertain about their future employment.
The journey of the Iga Crossing
The history of Ninjas shows the effect of the Sengoku period, creating a new, distinct warrior tradition with deep roots in espionage and sabotage. From their origin in the Koga and Iga provinces, they provided unique information that shifted the balance in wars. Although some of the Ninja’s historical knowledge is uncertain, it is perhaps fitting for a group so often shrouded in mystery, meant to endure and be secretive as its name 忍者 suggests.
–
1.Turnbull, Stephen. Ninja: Unmasking the Myth.
2.Friday, Karl F. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan.
3.Brown, Delmer M. (ed.). The Cambridge History of Japan, Vol. 3: Medieval Japan.
4.Shinchō Kōki (信長公記).
5.Kōyō Gunkan (甲陽軍鑑).
You must be logged in to post a comment.