10 Stealthy Facts
About Ninjas.
In honor of International
Ninja Day, here are ten facts
about the mysterious warriors.
1. Ninjas were known for
their skills in guerrilla warfare,
assassination, sabotage,
espionage and infiltration.
2. Though secretive, ninjas
adhered to a strict hierarchy
that eventually evolved into
larger territorial guilds.
3. Ninjas were heroes to the
lower classes in Japan, often
recruited by those unable to afford
the services of the upper-class samurai.
4. Because they didn't carry
large swords, Ninjas often used
whatever was available as a weapon.
5. Employing secrecy as a means
of survival, ninjas also encouraged
exaggerated tales of their exploits
to incite intimidation.
6. Ninjas wearing all black is
a modern day conception. They did their
best to blend in to their surroundings.
7. Part of ninja training included
in-depth knowledge of various forms
of medicines, including a mysterious
"black medicine" used to stop bleeding.
8. Ninjas used little "smoke
bombs" of ash contained in an
eggshell to create confusion
or misdirect their enemies.
9. Female ninjas were common.
They often used hair pins and
nail attachments as weapons.
10. Ninjas would often carry crickets,
using their chirps to cover
the sounds of their movements