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> Also ninjas are depicted as super-powerful badasses. Which fits the legend, certainly, but isn't particularly realistic. It's very likely ninja (or "shinobi"
by the_af 3y ago
> Also ninjas are depicted as super-powerful badasses. Which fits the legend, certainly, but isn't particularly realistic.
It's very likely ninja (or "shinobi", if you're meticulous) didn't exist at all. There must have been spies and assassins, which are already present in Chinese culture which was a big influence in Japanese culture, but the ninja as a stealthy infiltrator, wearing black clothes and special weaponry is a later day invention.
I actually like that in the remade "Shogun" TV show, the "ninja" attack is replaced by a maid who turns out to be an assassin in the payroll of Toranaga's enemies. Not clad in black or with super powers, just a woman who can handle a sword and attacks by surprise.
- Aerroon 3y agoThe first attack was a secretive Buddhist assassination organization called Amida Tong. Not ninja. Ninjas will appear later in an even more stupid way and I hope they heavily diverge from the book there.
- the_af 3y agoLet's hope! But... this being a work of fiction, I'd forgive them a bit of thrilling ninja action. As long as everybody understands they are like dragons in Game of Thrones: made up.
- fakedang 3y agoI once read that the first "ninja assassination" was basically a Japanese prince who sat under the outhouse of a rival for days, till he could attack the right butt.