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Most of us know what a ninja is, or at least we think we do from growing up watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and old kung-fu movies. But how and where did they come from? Did someone roll out of bed and just decide to be a ninja one day? Did someone go to a school with classes like Shruiken Throwing 101? All jokes aside, many of us don’t know much about the origins of these shadowy spies and assassins. That’s where this article comes in.

It should be noted there are many theories as to the origins of ninjas (more properly called shinobi), with very few records in regards to them. This is due to the practice of Ninjutsu, the fundamental skills of the ninja, which was a highly illegal counter culture to the ruling samurai class. Unlike today’s counter culture of drugs and music downloading, ninjutsu was a much larger offense and it’s because of this, the origins of ninjutsu AND ninjas, have been shrouded in mystery and confusion since their early conception.

One theory about the origin of ninjas, claims they were originally peasants who used everyday farming tools as weapons. They also commonly used indigenous plant life around them for making poisons. While this theory certainly has some gravity to it, it doesn’t explain some of the other skills ninjas were known for, such as the ability to disguise themselves as anyone - like a rich inner city merchant for example (something a rural farmer wouldn’t know much about).

Another theory is that some samurai became ninjas. But again, there are some holes to this logic as samurai were raised to believe that not fighting face to face was dishonorable. Still, it’s not out of the imagination that a disgraced samurai, forced to commit seppuku, decided to turn tail and run off and become a ninja. What’s generally agreed upon by most historians, is that the ninja art of stealth began to develop sometime between 600-900 A.D. with early ninjas employed by royalty. One story tells of the first emperor, Jimmu, who was able to win a losing battle by employing two ninjas who disguised themselves as an old peasant and his wife and slipped into enemy territory. After that successful battle, the art of ninjustu is said to have been passed down for further development.

Of course, Japanese folklore would tell us that the ninja descended from a demon that was half crow and half man but that sounds a bit too much like a National Inquirer cover story than anything else. So while there isn’t a clear cut answer as to how ninjas came into being, the theories here are widely considered the basis of the start of ninjutsu and ninjas. In some regards, it’s actually better that there isn’t one definitive answer as it adds a certain mystique to the already mysterious and elusive ninja.


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conkwe - 11/26/09 5:40 pm
ludachris714 - 11/24/09 12:07 am
Hoc - 11/23/09 10:12 pm

hmm, I’m more Ninja then I thought…

I’m thinking to myself, maybe the word Ningin was derived from the word Ninja raspberry

I know ninjin in Japanese means carrots. That’s almost similar, but I doubt that has anything to do with ningin. =)

Oh really!! I didn’t know that…

Yeah, Tecmo create great titles!


Too bad I don’t have a DS. I would try to purchase it. smile


yeyuh Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo)


so much ninja! :D


Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is just awesome! ^_^


why are those ningas every were lol


wow your right i’ve never heard of any of these


how did i know a shuriken would be one it’s just because im so super ninga


wow i thought something nigahita did would have been on here im surprised(sorry if i spelled that wrong)


wow chuck noris really lol


that pic is so cool


i think that i may possibly be a ninga lol


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ninjas, I know a ninja lol


Happy Thanksgiving everybody! smile
I watched Ninja Assassins today and i thought it was very bloody wink
i am THANKFUL for everything in my life and i should not take anything for granted.


ludachris714 - 11/24/09 12:07 am
Hoc - 11/23/09 10:12 pm

hmm, I’m more Ninja then I thought…

I’m thinking to myself, maybe the word Ningin was derived from the word Ninja raspberry

I know ninjin in Japanese means carrots. That’s almost similar, but I doubt that has anything to do with ningin. =)


I love the first 3 Ninja’s Movie!!! And that ninja parade video had me rolling with laughter~


AlexaNguyen - 11/25/09 9:23 am

Ryu’s still a cool “ninja”..

Surf ninjas? Wth. *shakes head

That was my reaction to Surf Ninjas too…


Ryu’s a ninja? xD


Ryu’s still a cool “ninja”..

Surf ninjas? Wth. *shakes head


Lol, look at Chuck Norris on the cover of “The Octagon”...I haven’t seen it yet.

redmangolover - 11/24/09 7:15 pm

Honorable mention: 3 Ninjas.

Yeah, 3 Ninjas should have made the top 5 retro ninja films smile
3ninjas2-1.jpg


I’m not going to lie, it sounds insane.  But after doing some research, I’ve had it confirmed that it is indeed possible.  And yes, cats are all ninjas.  Have you ever seen Samurai Pizza Cats?  They were originally ninjas.  That has to tell you something.


Cats telling time: What if its noon, but cloudy? Lol that makes no sense at all..
But here’s something more factual. All cats are ninjas! :D


yeah ninja turtles!


^ Ha I totally agree on that!

I can’t wait to slash open my turkey on Thanksgiving. I’ll make sure it disappears into my belly quickly.


Honorable mention: 3 Ninjas.


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