Ninja Turtles
They were the creators of a Japanese martial art known as ninjutsu. “It is a set of espionage and assassination tactics, practiced by masked warriors, specialists in fraudulent tricks”, says historian Masanori Fukushima, from Takushoku University, in Japan. It is not known where history ends and legend begins, for, being a spy technique, ninjutsu was secret and transmitted only orally. It is believed to have emerged in the reign of Emperor Shotoku (718-770) and spread throughout Japan during the period known as Sengoku (1467-1568). The country was going through several civil wars and ninja techniques began to be adopted by families that inhabited the mountains in the center of the island of Honshu, the largest in Japan. When necessary, families united to fight common enemies.
Ninjas practically disappeared during the Edo period (1603 to 1868), when the internal wars ended. At that time, ninja families were repudiated by the prevailing feudal society, subjected to exorbitant tax rates and persecution. Despite this, ninjutsu continued to exist, even more secret. The main enemies of the ninja were the samurai, who helped maintain the power of the feudal lords.
In the next period of Japanese history, beginning with the Meiji Empire in 1868, both samurai and ninja were prohibited from using weapons. Meiji’s goal was to integrate the country into the modern era and the rest of the world. In the early 20th century, however, ninjas were used again as spies during Japan’s occupation of Manchuria, China.
– Are there still samurai in Japan?
– How was the training of a ninja?
Stealth tricks and lethal attacks Know the main ninjutsu techniques to attack and hide
Mokuton means «use of the tree». The ninja hides behind logs or waves branches to divert the opponent’s attention.
Suiton is the «use of water». The warrior can remain submerged for several hours, breathing through thin bamboo tubes, or distract the enemy with the noise of the water.
Doton, or “use of soil and stones”. Rock formations or holes in the ground are used for hiding
The dark clothes, so as not to be noticed, made ninjas known as “shadow warriors”
Kinton is the «use of metal», to dazzle the enemy’s vision by reflecting bright lights or distracting him with noise.
Katon, or «use of fire.» The opponent’s attention is diverted through pyrotechnic trickery or gunpowder smoke.
Hand-to-hand combat is called jutaijutsu by ninjas. When attacking, they always try to disarm the enemy.
During the fight, the objective is to hit the vital points or break the bones of the opponents.
It was the most prized weapon in combat. The fact that ninja techniques were unknown to samurai also gave them an advantage.
Kusari-gamma
Originally developed by farmers, both for plowing the land and for personal defense. It was first used by the samurai and later adopted by the ninja.
Kusari-background
Chains used to stop the opponent’s sword – and also to strangle him
Shuko
Wristband with sharp claws to stop sword strikes, but also useful when climbing
Kyoketsu-shogei
Chain with dagger and hook at the ends, to disarm or hit opponents from a distance.
shuriken
Pointed metal stars, launched from a distance, to kill by hitting vital organs