Ninjutsu developed in ancient Japan. Its practitioners were called ninjas. To war against well-equipped enemies, ninjas used advanced techniques to remain invisible, making them superior intelligence-gatherers. Ninjas also served as assassins, consequently developing many advanced fighting and killing techniques. Once their missions were complete, ninjas used their knowledge of nature and heightened physical fitness to elude detection and capture.
Early Training
Ninja training started at an early age, according to the Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA. Children learned special skills that required balance, agility and strength. For example, trainers set up ropes covered in thorns for children to jump over. This developed the physical fitness necessary for future missions, which often required ninjas to sneak into enemy villages or buildings. Children also developed superior endurance, enabling them to run many miles without tiring, a skill necessary for eluding future enemies.
Shuriken Throwing
To attack an enemy from a distance, ninjas used shuriken, or small hurling weapons. Though today shuriken often appear as ninja stars, ancient shuriken could be anything from needles to knives to flat, metal crosses. Accuracy was vital. A well-trained ninja could throw shuriken with perfect accuracy from 30 feet away, according to the CIA.
Flexibility
Ninjas often had to infiltrate enemy encampments and dwellings. To avoid detection, they would scale walls or sneak through small openings. If necessary, ninjas could dislocate their joints to allow them to squeeze through tiny openings. Once inside a building, ninjas used a variety of walking styles to navigate passageways and elude detection. For example, ninjas often used a side-to-side walking technique to traverse narrow areas in buildings or forests. This technique had the added benefit of leaving confusing tracks.
Heightened Observation Skills
Ninjas used heightened senses to analyze situations. For example, they counted the number of people in a room using only sounds, such as rustling clothes, doors opening and closing, footsteps and breathing noises. Outside, ninjas used nature to their advantage, and learned to read flora and fauna to obtain information about their enemy. For instance, the presence of the dung of domestic animals indicated a nearby settlement. Loud insects and birds meant there were no humans nearby. Using these and similar techniques, ninjas could ascertain the location and number of nearby enemies.
