They are mysterious beings who run through the darkness, infiltrate enemy territory, and use Ninjutsu techniques beyond human comprehension.
How much of the image of the "Ninja" depicted in manga, anime, and other media is actually true to real life?
Welcome to the Ninja Academy, where you will learn about real-life ninja and their techniques!

Now, what kind of image do you have of a "ninja"? Perhaps you imagine them dressed in black, moving swiftly, using shuriken and weapons to defeat enemies, chanting spells to vanish, and transforming...?
Haha, some of that is true, but some is not quite accurate.
In this academy, it is your mission to learn, experience, and become a fully trained ninja. For this purpose, we have prepared a Ninja Certification Exam at the exit.
As a ninja, you must observe your surroundings closely, sharpen your five senses, and remember everything well.
By the Headmaster of Ninja Academy

Those who reveal themselves to gather information and spread false information are called Yonin (overt ninjas), while those who remain hidden to spy on the enemy's inner workings and engage in sabotage are called Innin (covert ninjas).

They gather information by disguising themselves as monks, travelers, entertainers, and the like.

They conceal themselves in darkness, infiltrate places like castles, and gather information.

They carried out assassinations, delayed enemies, burned down castles, and launched surprise attacks. To accomplish these missions, they required not only detailed strategic planning but also a combination of abilities, including Olympic-level physical strength and agility, the calmness to stay focused on their targets, and knowledge of weapons, tools, poisons, medicines, and gunpowder. A well-rounded skill set was essential.

The same individual sometimes performed both the roles of Yonin and Innin. Spies who gather information through disguise might still exist even in modern times.

The roots of modern ninja techniques are found in the "Three Major Ninja Manuals," and one of them, the Bansenshukai, was written in 1676 during the early Edo period by Fujibayashi Dengoro Yasumichi, a descendant of Fujibayashi Nagato-no-kami, in Iga, Mie Prefecture. This 22-volume manual is a key reference for ninja practices, and you can view actual photographs of it on the tablet provided.

At times, ninjas would blend into everyday life by disguising themselves as monks, traveling performers, and more, visiting targets to gather information. The seven professions they would disguise themselves as are known as the "Ninja Shichihode."

A monk who has renounced worldly life and travels from place to place for spiritual training. This role has the advantage of allowing them to speak with people of all ages and backgrounds.

A profession that earns a living by performing magic tricks, acrobatics, and other acts. Ninjas even mastered these skills for intelligence-gathering purposes.

A practitioner who trains in the mountains, which are seen as sacred places representing gods or buddhas. Due to their ability to travel nationwide for missionary purposes, they were skilled in intelligence gathering.

A monk from the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism, known for wearing a deep straw hat that hides the head and playing the shakuhachi flute while traveling for training. Since they were allowed to keep their hair, it made disguising easier.

A common disguise as townspeople or samurai, dressed in everyday clothing. Ninjas would sometimes blend in as townspeople, staying undercover in a town for years to gather information.

A profession that performs sarugaku, a traditional Japanese performing art. Unlike regular street performers, sarugaku performers would often entertain at court events or festivals at shrines and temples.

A profession that involved selling goods such as medicine or fabrics while traveling. Merchants could easily approach anyone and, by feigning ignorance, could even extract information from their customers, including feudal lords.

It is said that their disguises were so convincing that even their own fathers, sons, or brothers would be deceived. They not only mastered the appearance but also acquired the unique skills specific to each profession.

Hattori Hanzo is a prominent figure of the Iga-ryu ninja clan. He was the first to carry the name "Hanzo," which was passed down through generations of the Hattori family.

In the late Sengoku period, Hanzo, in order to escape his difficult life, led the Iga ninjas and left Iga, offering his services to the Matsudaira family (which later became the Tokugawa family), where he showcased his abilities.

Sarutobi Sasuke, one of the "Ten Brave Warriors of Sanada" who wielded Kōga ninjutsu, was known for his ability to disappear at will by performing hand seals.

He studied ninja techniques under the master Tozawa Hakuunsa and began serving Sanada Yukimura at the age of 15. While Sasuke is a fictional character in stories, it is believed that he was inspired by a real-life ninja.

Ishikawa Goemon was a legendary thief and a rogue ninja from Iga. After becoming a disciple of Moichi Santayu, an Iga ninja, he turned to a life of theft in Kyoto.

He famously failed in his attempt to steal the "Chidori Koro" (Chidori Incense Burner) from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, sneaking into Fushimi Castle but being caught. He was executed by being boiled alive in a cauldron of hot oil at the riverbank of Sanjō Bridge.