Overview
Ninja is a term used to refer to a type of covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. They were skilled in various forms of espionage, sabotage, assassination, and guerrilla warfare. The ninja were often associated with the samurai and played a significant role in Japanese warfare during the Sengoku period (1467-1603).
The ninja were known for their ability to move stealthily and for their use of unconventional weapons and tactics. They were trained in various skills such as disguise, infiltration, escape, and survival. The ninja also developed their own unique weapons, such as shuriken (throwing stars), kusarigama (chain and sickle), and the fukiya (blowgun).
Despite their reputation as deadly assassins, the ninja were also employed as scouts, spies, and messengers. They were often hired by feudal lords to gather intelligence and to carry out covert operations.
In popular culture, the ninja have been depicted as mysterious and shadowy figures, often dressed in black and capable of performing incredible feats of agility and combat prowess. This image has been perpetuated in movies, TV shows, and video games, and the ninja have become an iconic symbol of Japanese culture around the world.
Today, the art of ninjutsu, the traditional practice of the ninja, is still studied and practiced by some. While many of the techniques and weapons used by the ninja have been adapted or replaced by modern military technology, the principles of stealth, deception, and agility remain relevant in modern warfare and self-defense.
Female ninja are called "kunoichi".
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