The identity of the first ninja on earth is not known with certainty, as it is likely that ninjas have been in existence since ancient times. However, the most common belief is that it was a samurai named Jingobou who is credited with being the first ninja.
It is believed that in the 12th century, Jingobou received special training in the ways of ninjutsu, making him the first ninja. He gained the knowledge that would later become the basis of ninjutsu—which meant “the art of stealth,” and included tactics such as disguise, infiltration, and espionage—after he entered into a special contract with the founder of ninjutsu, a man named Togakure-ryū Ninpō Densho.
The teachings of Togakure-ryū included specific ninja training, such as the use of weapons, unarmed combat, and spy techniques—all of which Jingobou is believed to have acquired from their partnership.
Jingobou was the earliest recorded ninja, and his feats of courage, stealth, and combat abilities were well-known among the samurai of his day. He first used his ninja training to help Emperor Konoe defeat the Taira Shigehira—a powerful enemy of the emperor—at the battle of Uji Bridge in 1180.
He is also credited with saving the life of Satake Mitsunaka at Ueda Castle in 1184. From then on, Jingobou was an important figure in the world of samurai and ninjutsu, training samurai in the art of ninjutsu and eventually passing on his knowledge and techniques to the next generation.
Although Jingobou is considered the first ninja, his legacy can be seen in many other warriors who followed in his footsteps. In the centuries that followed, there were many more documented ninja, such as Hattori Hanzo, Miyamoto Musashi, and even Iwata Yoshinobu, who is believed to be the direct descendant of Jingobou.
Ninjas have become an important part of Japanese culture and history, and their skills and techniques live on today.
Who is the oldest ninja in the world?
The oldest ninja in the world is believed to be Toshitsugu Takamatsu, who was born in 1546, near the end of the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Takamatsu studied martial arts from his father and grandparents, and then went on to become a master of ninjutsu (the art of ninja).
He trained a number of practitioners in the martial arts, including students from Japan, China, and Korea. He was said to possess a number of skills that made him unrivalled as a ninja, including incredible endurance, speed, skill with weapons, knowledge of tactics, and the ability to blend in with his environment.
He went on to train a number of elite warriors in the ninja arts, leading his students to be known as the best ninja during their time. He is said to have passed away at the age of 170 in the year 1680, which would make him the oldest ninja in the world.
Are there any ninjas alive today?
No, there are not any living ninjas today. Despite popular belief, ninjas were mainly a thing of the past, existing mainly in feudal Japan during the 14th to 17th centuries. During this time, ninjas were in the service of powerful feudal lords in Japan, performing espionage, sabotage and assassination services for them.
Their mysterious abilities to carry out secret missions made them legendary, and their skills and strategies are studied and celebrated to this day. However, there are no living ninjas today, as the last of them died centuries ago.
There may be people who practice the arts of ninjutsu and similar martial arts, but there is no group of people specifically trained for espionage or assassination.
Who are the 3 Legendary ninjas?
The three Legendary Ninjas are arguably the most well-known ninjas in history, and they are renowned for their martial arts prowess and skills in stealth and infiltration. These three legendary ninjas are Hattori Hanzo, Fujibayashi Nagato, and Momochi Sandayu.
Hattori Hanzo was a highly respected ninja who served the legendary Tokugawa clan during the Japanese Sengoku period. He famously carried out difficult missions for the Tokugawa clan and demonstrated great skill in leading his troops and in espionage.
He developed a reputation as one of the most feared and respected ninjas in history.
Fujibayashi Nagato was another legendary ninja who was renowned for his mastery of espionage and infiltration during the Sengoku period. He served the Fujibayashi clan and was a popular leader, known for his loyalty and bravery.
Finally, there is Momochi Sandayu, a renowned ninja who served the Mori clan during the Sengoku period. He is renowned for his knowledge of set traps, explosives and martial arts which he used to foil his enemies’ plans and protect his clan’s honor.
The legacy of these three legendary ninjas lives on today and they remain some of the most important figures in Japanese folklore. Their stories and exploits continue to be shared and studied by martial arts practitioners and historians alike.
Would a ninja beat a samurai?
It depends on many different factors. A ninja is typically a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan, trained to carry out unconventional warfare, espionage, sabotage, and assassination missions. On the other hand, a samurai is an aristocratic warrior in feudal Japan trained to be an elite soldier and defend the honor of their lord or daimyo.
In terms of hand-to-hand combat, a ninja typically has better skills for combat and assassination, but a samurai has superior physical strength and gear. A ninja could use the element of surprise and their agility to gain the upper hand, but they would need to be well-trained and experienced to stand a chance against a samurai in a more traditional duel.
Ultimately, it depends on the context and the warriors – their strength, skill, and gear – to determine who is victorious. A ninja may have greater agility and knowledge of unconventional combat, but against a well-trained and equipped samurai they could find themselves outmatched.
Who started ninjas?
The origin of ninjas dates back centuries to ancient Japan during the feudal period. Ninjas, also known as shinobi, were covert agents employed by feudal lords in order to carry out espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination operations.
It is believed that they were descended from the yamabushi, a group of traveling monks renowned for their mastery of the martial arts. Though ninjas were often feared, their stealth techniques and specialized combat tactics allowed them to protect their employer during times of political unrest and conflict.
Their use began sometime in the 14th century, but the exact origins remain unclear. Some believe that ninjas originated in the Kōga and Iga provinces, which had grown famous for producing skilled martial artists and secret agents.
Others suggest that ninjas had been used by the earlier Kamakura shogunate and even the Heian period. Ultimately, the history behind ninjas is shrouded in mystery and will likely remain one of Japan’s greatest historical secrets.
Are ninjas older than samurai?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated, as it depends on how broadly one defines both the “ninja” and “samurai” categories. Generally speaking, it can be said that samurai are an older concept than ninjas.
The samurai of Japan first rose to prominence in the 12th century, while the ninja, who would later be known as a type of covert operative or “shadow warrior”, first became prominent in the Sengoku period of the 15th–17th centuries.
However, ninjas and samurai actually have a few interconnected roots. During feudal Japan, as the principles of bushido and honor took hold within the samurai class, a new kind of warrior began to emerge.
These warriors―ninja―were individuals who employed their mastery in tactics, espionage, and unconventional warfare. They were highly trained and operated behind enemy lines. Ninja were often hired by samurai daimyo for the purpose of gathering intelligence, assassinating enemies, and sabotaging former samurai lords.
Ninjas also had their own codes of conduct, based on the same notions of honor and secrecy as the samurai, and developed their own training techniques separate from what a samurai warrior had learned.
As a result, it’s accurate to say that ninja are a product of samurai society, but they came to existence in their own distinct form in a later era than samurai.
What is a female ninja called?
A female ninja is called a Kunoichi. This term describing a female ninja is believed to date back to the fifteenth century in Japan. A Kunoichi is a skilled female ninja who blends into society while using her cunning, agility and stealth to carry out espionage and sabotage missions.
Kunoichi often use disguises, makeup and acrobatics to slip into secure locations, while they also employ their knowledge of poisons and hand-to-hand combat skills to fulfill their missions. Today, Kunoichi are often represented in popular culture, appearing in video games, graphic novels and television series.
Did ninjas and samurai ever fight?
Yes, ninjas and samurai did fight, especially during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku period (1467-1615). During this period of civil war, feudal lords of the various provinces were vying for control of the country.
Both ninjas and samurai were employed by the warring clans in espionage, sabotage, assassination, and guerrilla warfare to gain the upper hand.
Because of the clandestine operations of the ninjas, they were often seen as a major threat to many of the samurai familes. Samurai families would often attempt to prevent the ninjas from carrying out their missions, resulting in open battles between the two groups.
Overall, however, ninja clans were still outnumbered and outgunned by the samurai, and were forced to rely on their wit, strategic thinking, and unconventional tactics to prevail in combat. Ultimately, despite their differences, both the ninja and samurai were fighting for their feudal lords and to protect their families.
When did ninjas start and end?
The origin of ninjas dates back to the 15th century in feudal Japan, with their existence becoming more popular during the Sengoku Period (1467-1603). They were highly-skilled warriors and spies, and were often employed by the samurai warriors of their respective clans to carry out various covert operations such as espionage, sabotage, infiltration and assassination.
Ninjas were also renowned for their use of various types of weapons, including blades and projectile weapons.
The decline of the ninja began in the 17th century with the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the rise of the modern Japanese nation-state. With the fall of their employers, the samurai class, ninja clans were no longer needed and many of the traditional ninja schools were either closed or converted to educational institutes.
In spite of the decline of the ninja, some clans were able to survive and still exist today.
Overall, the period from the 15th to the 17th centuries marked the beginning and the end of ninjas as we know them today.
Were ninjas Chinese or Japanese?
The origin of the ninja is contested, but it is generally accepted that ninja originated from the traditions of the people of China and Japan. Prior to the 16th century, military organizations in Japan, such as the Iga and the Kouga, were known to practice unconventional forms of warfare and espionage.
This practice was adopted by the Japanese military due to its effectiveness and subsequently became more widespread.
During the 16th century, Japan’s military organization and training began to pattern itself after Chinese military mechanics, which included the development of espionage and assassination techniques that were used by the ninja.
Therefore, although their true origin is unclear, the ninja are strongly linked with both the Chinese and Japanese cultures.
In modern times, the ninja is often seen as a Japanese warrior, though their abilities and stories have spread throughout the world. Through popular culture, the term “ninja” has found its way into common usage and often applies to martial arts experts from a variety of different cultural backgrounds.
What time period was ninjas?
The ninja is a mysterious figure that has become part of popular culture, but may its ancient origins actually come from the Sengoku period (1467-1603) in Japan’s history. This period saw the emergence of the infamous samurai, an organized class of elite Japanese warriors.
It was during this tumultuous period that the ninja appeared, providing their services as spies, assassins, and mercenary warriors for powerful warlords.
The early ninja were martial artists who were highly trained in the use of stealth and concealment, which enabled them to effectively complete missions without being detected. They were also experts in a variety of weapons, including kunai (dagger), katana (sword), and shuriken (ninja stars).
During battle, the ninja would employ many unorthodox tactics to ensure success, such as poisoning the enemy’s weapons, sabotaging their camp, and even employing disguises to deceive.
The ninja faded out by the early 17th century as the power of the samurai class grew, however their legacy continued through the centuries in the form of various ninja stories and folklore. They are now considered famous figures in popular culture, and are highly featured in modern anime and video games.