NINJA THE SHADOW WARRIORS

NINJA THE SHADOW WARRIORS                  

Painting by : Deo Antonio D. Llamas 

NINJA THE SHADOW WARRIORS                                                                                      By: Deo Antonio D. Llamas

Ninja the shadow warriors embrace iron knowledge and practice mystic beliefs which started in Iga province in Japan. Said to have originated from monks farmers from China which settled in this part of Japan. Said knowledge came from a secret society in China. Their books of instruction on martial arts technique were said to be incomplete . For it is reserved only for the masters. They are the origin of the secret agents equipped with martial arts skills, tools and intelligence activities.

Ninjas are freedom lovers and pride in their independence. They would not submit to any warlord shoguns and their samurais. They usually are vigilant in monitoring gun and gun powder dealers in particulars for increase in trade and activity of this commodity is an indicator of impending threat of wars or attacks on their territory. This was around 1500's

For Ninja body hardening is most important. It is a painful process with strict diet and years of practice usually starts at the age of 6, At times for hours they would meditate in the cold waterfalls to increase their tolerance in cold weathers and discipline. Strengthen their toes by constant climbing on walls, trees and mountains and imitate the walk of crippled with deformed toes. Learns different dialects in Japan and learned them as if they are locals. Maintains different identity and has many family around Japan to maintain different identity and have safe houses in different provinces.

Ninja Master are masters of deceptions having a warrior culture and will defend their independence from warring provinces and warlords. There was alliance of families and landlords in the area. Which they share information and fighting techniques exclusively with in the group and in case of war vowed to help one another to death. Ninjutsu is not a martial arts but about war strategy and positioning. And having one purpose a noble traits is that they never betray their masters if ever they are contracted for a mission in the case of hired assassin Ninja. They to have a code to live by like their nemesis the Samurai's which upholds honor above all, loyalty to ones cause and superiors .

Ninjas have no smell, no name and leaves you wonder if they do exist. Body odors can be detected by sense of smell, no strong foods is allowed in the diet, onions, garlic, ginger and other spices. They harnessed their sixth sense by looking through the flame of candles and listening to the drop of a needle and at times blindfolded to get acquainted with the darkness enhancing their their other senses without using their sense of sight. It is not about listening it is about attention for details.They are also great in taking advantage of the elements, seasons, the moon and the stars.

A technique of families pass on to generation from master to master they are into intelligence gathers information data's. Spying at its best hired assassins and arsonist, master of explosive, it is in the time of weakness were they strike, were some guards are attack best, Guerrilla tactics, surprise ambush attacks usually attacks at night, they are the invisible warriors of the night.

Having fortress with secret escape doors obstacles, complex traps and minefield, hidden weapons. Having defense standing in fortified position. Make use of their terrain, the trees, mountains, hills, rivers and everything and anything from sand to stones sticks to leaves. Having signals and animal sound to coordinate their stealth like attack or defense.

And they usually use thousand torches tied on trees to deceive their enemies that they have the numbers of warriors ready to defend their territory. To repel the attacks of their enemies and retreat in fear and confusion. They defend and attack with clinical precision and with honor defending their homes.

Developed walking with use of palm to minimize sounds and biting paper for breathing with out sound in close encounter and the use of misdirection, distraction and confusion. Example of one of their technique is to tie hundreds of floating weeds. Where weeds are tied by a string and a stone attach at other side of the string with various length and thrown in the river to deceived enemy that it is just a shallow river where they would attack in ambush while their enemy are immobile in the river.

Ninjas have Superstitious mystic belief which they consult the Orb or a charts of stars which can gives signs and predicts events that can affect their lives. They look at the clouds, stars and seasons and guiding them make their decisions. As in the case of their legendary Ninja Master Katsu consulted the Orb if they stay defending their fortress or flee from the advancing army. The sign was to defend their home. This decision immortalized the Ninja Warriors.

It started in 1576 When Oda Nobukatsu attempted to attack Fortress in Iga with his 8,000 troops they where caught flat footed and that was a great blow causing great loss and shame to the family when they where defeated by the Ninja master against insurmountable odds and their castle was burned down by the Ninja warriors in retaliation of their attacks. Oda Nobunaga the father, the Shogun raised 60,0000 troops with their Samurai Generals and attack at all side of the Iga fortress versus the Ninjas 9,000

The first wave was a clear victory for the Ninja nation killing 30,000 strong of the army, but also reducing the Ninjas number they hold their fortress for 2 weeks. As a strategy they focus their attack on the Samurai General if they could kill him this would demoralize their men and retreat. As they have accomplished it the soldiers did not retreat but move on with their guns and canons this turned the tide for the attacking army. Oda Nabunaga was on its way to unify all of Japan.

The army was able to burn down the fortress and many Ninjas was killed that day and their families. But some were able to escaped and the pursuing army were frustrated not seeing the Ninja masters body and his inner circles. This event gave rise to the legend of the Ninja warriors.As in the case of Samurai code which demands that in the case of imminent defeat or  fails to do ones duty one must give up his life to preserve his honor, that death is more superior than surrender as exemplified by the kamikaze pilots this is what is called Bushido (ritual suicide). The Ninja warriors in the case would try to escape death and live to fight another day.

Ninjas has no smell, no names and leaves you wonder if they do exist. Ninjas are a class of their own. They are the vigilante of their time a secret society with a heart of priest and with the mind and skill of assassins. They hate tyranny and oppression. Loves, freedom, peace loving and independence above all. But history had demonize their image instead of being the James Bond of the Japanese people they misunderstood them in history as bandits thieves and trouble makers instead of true heroes that they really are.