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The Ninja: The Real Shadow Warriors Of Medieval Japan | Ancient Black Ops | Chronicle

Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries・2 minutes read

Ninjas in feudal Japan were skilled in deception and unconventional warfare, crucial in operations like rescuing hostages and gathering intelligence, filling a gap left by the samurai's code of honor. Despite facing challenges and threats, the ninjas constantly evolved their strategies, much like modern special forces, to remain a vital part of Japan's military machine.

Insights

  • Ninja were expert unconventional warfare specialists in feudal Japan, excelling in tactics like infiltration and espionage, which are still relevant to modern special forces.
  • The clash between the skilled ninja led by Hatori Hanzo and Nobunaga's Samurai forces showcases the importance of strategy, preparation, and adaptability in warfare, ultimately leading to a failed assassination attempt on Nobunaga by Ishikawa Goan.

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  • What were ninja known for in feudal Japan?

    Ninja were experts in deception, battle, and strategy, excelling in ambush, infiltration, assassination, and espionage.

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Summary

00:00

Ninja: Masters of Deception and Strategy

  • Ninja were the unconventional warfare experts in feudal Japan, specializing in deception, battle, and strategy.
  • They excelled in ambush, infiltration, assassination, and espionage, with techniques still relevant to modern special forces.
  • In 1562, during a civil war in Japan, a warlord named Tokugawa yasu sought to reclaim a castle where his daughters were held hostage.
  • Yasu enlisted the help of a skilled fighter named Hatori Hanzo, leader of a special forces group known as Shinobi, later called ninja.
  • The ninja's unique tactics, including intelligence gathering and infiltration, filled a gap left by the samurai's code of honor.
  • Hanzo's ninja team, including sleeper agents near the castle, infiltrated the enemy's ranks to gather crucial information.
  • Using classic Shinobi techniques, Hanzo climbed the castle walls, penetrated defenses, and rescued the hostages in a daring operation.
  • The success of Hanzo's ninja team solidified their reputation as the best in Japan, hailing from the region of IgA known for producing skilled ninja.
  • The ninja of IgA underwent rigorous training in mountain survival, endurance, and blending with nature, essential for their covert operations.
  • Similar to modern special forces, the ninja constantly evolved their strategies and techniques to remain an integral part of Japan's military machine, facing new challenges and threats.

24:07

Nobunaga's downfall: Ninja's revenge plot unfolds.

  • Nobunaga's goal was to unify Japan under his absolute power, sparing no one from his forces.
  • Nobunaga was single-minded, cold, and disciplined, crushing resistance ruthlessly.
  • In the late 1500s, the ninjas faced a problem as they refused to obey Nobunaga's orders.
  • Nobunaga invades IGA to tame the ninjas, sending in his toughest Samurai troops.
  • Nobunaga's fatal error was appointing his inexperienced and undisciplined son, Nobukatsu, as a general.
  • Nobukatsu's strategy against the ninjas was flawed due to lack of preparation and intelligence.
  • The ninjas ambushed Nobukatsu's troops in IGA, causing chaos and a massacre.
  • The defeat of Nobunaga's Samurai sends shockwaves, leading to a plot to assassinate Nobunaga.
  • Ishikawa Goan, a ninja seeking revenge for his family's murder, plans to assassinate Nobunaga.
  • Goan uses Shinobi ingenuity, adapting everyday items into lethal weapons, in his failed assassination attempt on Nobunaga.
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