You might have heard about some deeds which would rank these elite warriors up there with the super humans. In this post, I am going to share with you some of the fictitious stories that have been responsible for the ever growing ninja legend.
Ninjas originated from demons
Stories from ancient Japan narrated how the ninja originated from a demon that was half man and half crow. The truth however is that this is just a story told to keep the children healthy and happy. The real ninjas were humans like you and me who just practiced ninjitsu for self-preservation. They weren't even nobles and came from the lower classes of villagers and farmers.
The warriors were evil assassins for hire.
This is entirely untrue and the warriors observed a strict code of honor. They were mountain people who being harassed by the ruling class of the samurai developed their way of fighting for self-defense. Their evil assassin-like nature is the product of 20th and 21st century movies.
All ninjas were men
Again this is completely untrue. Female ninjas existed and were known as the kunoichi. They would use their coy nature to fool many men and would be send on missions disguised as concubines, dancers etc. They were pretty good at kicking ass too and sometimes would even be disguised as men without arousing suspicion.
Ninjas were supernatural
This was one tactic that was used to frighten enemies and ensure a quick win for the warriors. It is true that some of the things they did would look like magic, but like good magic is, all they had was a well-practiced skill. Their art was passed through generations and its potency perfected to such heights that the average man couldn't imagine what they did to be a skill of the mortals.
Add that to popular folklore and you have the beginnings of a good myth that could be passed down without doubt. Their secluded society also helped them hide their skills and thus the average human was always in the dark about what they were capable of and what they were not.
Ninjas always wore black
This is another popular ninja myth. Many of the movies you have watched might have shown a black clad hooded ninja, however the real warriors of their time wore uniform to fit the occasion and for purposes of camouflage. In fact ninjas would wear blue in the night as it would fit in well with the surroundings.
Ninjas caught swords with their hands
There is only one way to save yourself from a sharp sword, move out of the way. The swords of their times were so sharp they could cut a person into two halves. Ninjas were human and they were not immune to death from swords.
Most ninja stories that are perpetuated as popular fiction are just for fun and are not intended for informational purposes.
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