When did Ninjas emerge in Japanese history, and what did they do? Learn about their community, costumes, and tools during the Sengoku period, the heyday of the Ninja!

It is said that in 587, Ōtomo no Hosori, who was secretly active in gathering information, was given the name Shinobi by Prince Shōtoku. However, it is believed that ninjas of the Edo period traced their origins back and linked themselves to famous figures as a way to legitimize their history.

In the Nara period, the recognition of private land ownership (manors) led to the emergence of the Akuto (villans). Mountain ascetics (yamabushi) who underwent rigorous training in the mountains also joined the Akuto, and their knowledge of medicinal herbs and rituals became a foundation of ninja practices. According to the ninja manual Bansenshukai, the samurai Kusunoki Masashige, who was active in the late Kamakura to the Nanbokucho periods, was labeled as Akuto by the shogunate and was said to have commanded 48 ninjas.

The military chronicle Taiheiki, from the Nanbokucho period, depicts covert activities of ninjas. During this time, samurai in Iga and Koga formed groups for self-defense and developed intelligence-gathering techniques, leading to the emergence of ninjas. Taiheiki, a 40-volume military chronicle, mentions the existence of shinobi in Volume 20, in the section titled “The Burning of Hachiman Shrine.”

Ninjas' intelligence-gathering and surprise attack skills were highly valued. Famous examples include their resistance against Oda Nobukatsu's invasion of Iga and the “Iga-Koga Escape” during the Honnoji Incident, where Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was in Osaka and Sakai, returned safely to Mikawa. In addition to Iga and Koga, other ninja schools such as the Kusunoki and Yoshitsune styles also emerged.
Hanzomon Gate (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
Hattori Hanzo Masanari was entrusted with guarding Edo Castle following this event, and as a remnant of his legacy, the name Hanzomon remains as a place name in Tokyo to this day.

As the era of warfare came to an end, the role of ninjas shifted to guard and surveillance duties. The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637 marked the last combat mission for ninjas. In the late 1600s, ninja manuals such as Bansenshukai and Shoninki were compiled, and the cultural image of the ninja began to emerge publicly.

The cool and flashy ninja characters we see in manga and anime today exist precisely because these ninja manuals were preserved!

During the Sengoku period, ninja groups with specialized skills were organized under various feudal lords across Japan. They worked as teams, conducting intelligence gathering, sabotage, combat, and more, each developing unique methods and evolving independently.

Many of those who served various feudal lords across the country were originally from Iga or Koga. However, they were not referred to as "ninja" at the time but by different names.

Ninjas would travel to their destinations dressed like ordinary people, quickly changing into their shinobi attire only when infiltrating. The color was often not black, but rather common colors like brown or navy.

Worn by tying it over the shoulder and under the arm, it served like a shoulder bag for carrying essential items.

The inside of the haori had pockets for carrying gunpowder, medicines, weapons, ninja tools, and secret messages. By storing shuriken and other tools in the pockets, it also served as a shield. Ninjas could turn the haori inside out to disguise themselves as a different person. The sleeves of the jacket were tubular, without hems, allowing for ease of movement.

Protective gear covering from the wrist to the elbow. Besides offering protection, it served as insect repellent, warmth, and also helped conceal the whiteness of the skin.

Protective gear for the shins. They were secured by tying the upper and lower straps from the back to the front. A small pouch, called monoiri, was attached for carrying items and could hold a bo-shuriken (throwing spike).

These served as both socks and boots. To minimize noise, cotton was inserted in the soles, and they were often dyed to match the color of the shinobi attire for camouflage. Metal spikes were sometimes added to prevent slipping on snow or ice.

Approximately 2 meters long and 50 centimeters wide. Besides concealing the face, it also served as a towel or a makeshift rope. In emergencies, it could even be used as a stretcher.

A piece of protective armor worn to shield the stomach and chest, functioning like a bulletproof vest.

Worn under the shinobi attire when a battle was anticipated to protect against blades. Made of iron mesh, it weighed between 5 to 15 kg.

The hem was tightly fitted to prevent it from snagging when sneaking through narrow spaces. Ninjas preferred to wear nora-bakama, a style suited for outdoor use.

When participating in battles, ninjas sometimes wore armor. Known as kusari katabira, it was made of iron plates linked by chains. It was flexible, allowing for ease of movement and could be folded for portability.

It was used as a bandage, rope, or for filtering water to make drinking water. Dyed with suou, a plant with antibacterial properties.

Allowed the wearer to hide their face while still being able to observe others and the surroundings. Secret documents or arrows could also be hidden inside the hat.

A bamboo tube containing embers, used to start fires. It served for lighting, cooking, and signaling to comrades (smoke signals).

Held poisons, sleeping drugs, wound ointments, and antidotes. It was essential for treating stomach pains caused by parasites like roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms.

A rope with a hook at the end, used for climbing walls, crossing rivers, tying up enemies, and securing boats to docks, among other purposes. The shape of the hook varied.

A portable ink and brush set. The sekihitsu was similar to chalk and used for writing codes and messages. These tools indicate that ninjas were literate.

Due to the danger of being identified as a ninja if any tools were dropped, it was advised that "if possible, even tools as small as a needle should not be carried." Ninjas carefully selected and discarded tools depending on the nature of their mission.