Ninjas!

Ninjutsu Origins

The evolution of ninjutsu as a discipline is rooted in the blending of Chinese and Japanese military tactics. Gary Arndt explains that the collapse of the Tang dynasty led to Chinese generals bringing a pragmatic approach to warfare in Japan, focusing on victory over honor 1. This shift gave rise to ninjutsu, developed by Daisuke Tokakure and Kain Doshi, which emphasized espionage and guerrilla warfare rather than traditional martial arts 1.

Ninjutsu isn't a martial art in the same way that karate, judo, or taekwondo are martial arts. Ninjutsu was designed to be more of a type of unconventional guerrilla warfare.

--- Gary Arndt

Ninjutsu covered a wide range of skills, including infiltration, stealth, and sabotage, making ninjas akin to modern-day intelligence agents 2.

   

Ninjas vs Samurai

Ninjas and samurai occupied distinct societal roles in medieval Japan, with ninjas often seen as dishonorable by the samurai class. Gary Arndt notes that while samurai adhered to a code of honor and fought openly, ninjas operated in secrecy, using tactics like espionage and sabotage 3. Despite this disdain, samurai relied on ninjas for tasks requiring stealth and deception, highlighting their indispensable role in warfare 3.

Even though the samurai class looked down on the ninjas, they needed the ninjas.

--- Gary Arndt

Ninjas, often from lower social classes, became essential mercenaries during Japan's tumultuous periods, with regions like Iga and Koga specializing in their training 1.