Ninja was – because they were supposed to vanish around the end of 20th century -But people, especially foreigners believe that their descendants are still living in small villages anywhere in japan like “Ninja no Sato”.
Yes, their descendants are still alive, especially Iga-Ninja(伊賀忍者)、Koga-Ninja(甲賀忍者)、Agatsuma-Sanada Ninja(吾妻真田忍者) are very famous, then, the some real descendants and performers are teaching Nin-jyutsu(忍術) to tourists just as an entertainment below,
However, Ninja used to be treated – secret agents, private detectives, spies – were hired by Shogun and local Samurai, to play an important role in medieval Japan.
Some says Ninja exist at the beginning of 15th century to the end of 20th century. From the end of 15th century, samurai turned into local feudal loads(Daimyo), they gradually controlled their province.
After victory of the battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu Tokugawa unified Japan as a one country in 17th century. But at that time, Japan was still divided around 68 territories. Daimyos who contributed to Sekigahara, were given Han（dominion）where closed to Edo(Tokyo), On the other hand, Daimyos who were opposed to Ieyasu Tokugawa while Sekigahara, were shunted off to faraway. They are called “Tozama(外様)Daimyo”.
In this way, Tokugawa and Tozama(外様)Daimyo – below the surface battles began! For exsample, some Tozama Daimyos began import and export trade with foreign countries secretly. Some Tozama Daimyos tried to rise in rebellion against Tokugawa Bakufu. Furthermore, Since Tokugawa banned believing Christianity, Christians plotted treason against Tokugawa in Nagasaki.
Meanwhile, Tokugawa hired many Ninjas for investigating local movements, also Tozama Daimyos hires Ninjas to win those information warfare as well.
So that Ninja was very important existence both of Tokugawa and Tozama Daimyo.
Now, Ninjas are famous – under the influence of comics and animes “Naruto” “Nintama” and drama “House of Ninjas(Ninja-no-ie)”.
Japanese people might think – Ninjas had gone –not exist in present, but you know, Ninjas are spies, they should have just kept his or her head down, hunkered down. Believe it or not, your neighbors might be Ninja!! and Ninja-no-Ie!
By the way, female Ninja are called “Kuno-ichi”. Because “female” is described “女“in Kanji letters, so it can be broken in three parts as
“女”= ”く ノ 一“ く＝ku, ノ＝no, 一＝ichi,
This is very funny cryptography, right??
