Ninja - The Sword
The
Ninja "shinobi" has been shown in movies, games,
and even museums as carrying a straight sword that somewhat resemble katana swords. However, historic evidence may not be able to fully prove that there
was even a specific type of sword carried by these stealthy assassins.
Ninja swords have been typically depicted as having a straight blade
and a square guard, and normally are shorter than the katana. This is the sword that
has been portrayed in countless movies, on television, and even in books.
History shows us that there is really no physical evidence for these legendary swords
said to have been used by the ninja. Many replicas of this weapon still have been
shown, and are being displayed even today in Japan in the Koka Ninja Village and Iga-Ryu Ninja museums in Japan. Due to the lack of any real known physical
evidence of this weapons existence from the time period when the ninja emerged, the history of
this weapon has only been actually recorded from the 20th century on.
Ninjitsu - The Ninja Martial Art
For the most part the techniques of using a ninja sword in martial context are also speculative at best. Mostly ninja swords have been shown in movies and
on stage using the technique, that for the most part has been almost mirror-like to that of
the "katana style".
Realistically we may never know if the sword we accept today as the ninja
sword is actually the same as what that the ninja used back in the middle ages.
What do you think?
Is the Ninja Sword history or hollywood?
