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Posted by Buffy on 20-08-2007 at 16:52:
Who's Yer Ninja?
I was at work yesterday and came across some new books in the collection about ninja and samurai. Some of the things read got me to pondering about the KNT, especially in terms of writing FF.
Keep in mind it's just me rambling at work, and I know some of you are much more knowledgeable on Japanese culture and lore than me. Also, I posted it over at DaHouse, but threads get buried there so quickly.
Thoughts? Comments?
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We watch Gatchaman/BoTP/et.al. because they are heroes. However, that is the last thing they would want to be known for. In fact, I say, they wouldnt want to be known for anything. If they did, they would be known as the KST: The Kagaku Samurai Tai. Because it was the Samurai who were the heroes. Samurai were descended from nobility. They felt they were superior to the average person, and sought honor and glory on the battlefield. To a Samurai, his name and reputation were very important, for he might be in service to his daimyo (governor), his shogun (general), and his Emperor, and what he did reflected upon them. The word Samurai literally means To Serve . If they were fortunate, exploits became legends, their deaths were glorious, and even their honored swords would become infamous. They were the great hot-shots of Feudal Japan.
The Ninja by comparison did not come from great nobility. They descended from defeated warriors who fled into the mountains after great battles around Kyoto, the ancient capitol of Japan. They also descended from immigrants fleeing persecution in China and Korea, who added their collective knowledge of weapon and fighting tactics, and their philosophies and spiritualities. Additionally they came from poor holy/spiritual men and farmers and other peasants. Lifestyle wise, they could be compared to American Appalachian people due to the mountainous land in which they lived, and Native American people with their close connection to nature, living in close harmony to the spirit of the land, sky, birds, and beasts. The lifestyle that became known uniquely as Ninjutsu developed over many generations.
They were not particularly warlike, but were great trackers, and woodsmen and related areas of self-defense. Fighting skills, along with stealth, came over generations of persecution by surrounding communities; people in power that sought to extort, control, or drive out the ninja from their mountain lands. They honed their abilities of stealth, which as their reputation grew, soon were propositioned to take jobs as hired spies to noblemen. The name Ninjutsu is typically translated to The Art of Stealth . They were much more desirable for spy-work than the other heroes-for-hire of the day, the Samurai. This is because unlike the Samurai, to whom living such a lie would be highly dishonorable, they were not opposed to dressing and living a life of a common laborer, farmer, or monk while they used their cover to obtain covert information on an enemy noblemans land, homes, and habitsThey might spend years posing as a gardener in the home of an enemy, while secretly gathering covert information for their employer. Due to persecution, they became masters of hiding their true identities. . They had no problem with a lie that would protect themselves and their interests. Ninja lived and died in secrecy. To achieve fame is to be considered a failure.
Ninjas usually didnt wear black.. Black is actually a theatrical representation based on the popularity of stage hands wearing black onstage in order to be able to change out sets without drawing attention to themselves.
What ninja did wear were colors and costumes they selected that would best blend in with their surroundings. Green or brown to blend in with the shrubbery; A monk robe in a monastery; A gardener at a palace. They studied the natural world around them to gain their cues for appropriate attire. A white science-ninja blends in fine in a pristine labyrinth of a spaceship. Plus, I might say white holds a greater connotation of death in Eastern cultures than in Western cultures.
The Ninja revered nature. This came from many sources. For example, early on, they were influenced by another group of people who roamed the same mountain regions in which they themselves lived; the Shugendo. Many Shugendo followed a path of spiritual self-discovery, which involved the concept of becoming one with the spirit of nature. Some would expose themselves to harsh weather, unforgiving terrain, become firewalkers and cliff danglers. All so they could overcome their limitations, joining with the forces of nature itself. In effect gaining the powers of nature. The ninja were influenced by these philosophies.
Because of their spiritual nature, not to mention their tendency to use rumor of the supernatural and the magical to promote their agendas, they found ways to use that in their costuming as well. They made use of masks if needed, and took tools from utilitarian implements, names from nature, and techniques from animals around them.
In accordance with their use of supernatural to promote their fearsome legend, one popular folktale in Japan states that the first Ninja gained many of their skills from the demon Tengu. A Tengu is a half man/half bird deity. Tengu is parts demon, ogre, gargoyle and nature spirit. He had a long nose and lived in trees. To me, I dont think it is a coincidence that the KNT have birds as their totem. Wouldnt a bird totem is honorific of the great teacher of the way of Ninjutsu?
If the ninja revered nature so much, why in the world would they be techno-warriors? Aside from the obvious answer, Hey, its kool , I think it makes perfect sense historically speaking. Ninja were masters of utilitarian combat. They made use of any tool they could find, and were scary good at turning something harmless into something harmful. In a hyper-techno world, of course they would make use of techno-gadgets in any way they could find to benefit them. Goofy-gadgets applied in non-traditional ways is the ninja creed!
What about the storylines themselves? Lets set aside obvious influence of Japanese and world culture at the time; with the pervading conflict between nature and technology that began in the 1960s and the new-born concept of responsible planet stewardship. From a storytelling standpoint, the storylines also make perfect sense from a ninjutsu philosophical point of view. The purpose of Gatchaman and G-Force were to protect the world from eco-rape at the hands of terrorists or aliens, respectively. The ninja revered nature, so why not tell stories that promoted that idea to viewers. Why not use good technology to save the revered natural world from bad technology. Ray-guns rock.
Sources:
http://www.winjutsu.com/ninjakids/nk_history.html
Ninja-Jason Glaser and Don Roley
Samurai-Caroline Leavitt
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"Spider sense....tingling."
Posted by Metaliant on 20-08-2007 at 20:31:
I read a bit of history about ninjas but forgot where and when I read it but it was completely interesting and so is this article. Thanks.
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Posted by meridianday on 20-08-2007 at 22:46:
Very interesting. I don't know much about ancient japanese culture so can't really opine further. It'll be interesting to see what Tengu says about it 
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Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny." Posted by Springie on 20-08-2007 at 23:03:
Yeah, I learned alot form this...very interesting, but I'm afraid I don't have any intelligent comments...LOL 
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Posted by Buffy on 21-08-2007 at 02:18:
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I was definately thinking of Tengu when I read about it. Tengu was the one who gave me my first background information on Japanese folklore culture.
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"Spider sense....tingling."
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 21-08-2007 at 05:48:
That was a great write up!
Thanks for sharing, you can never learn enough about a culture and why they acted like they did!
The team did act in ways that defined attitudes that were covered in that text.
The did not seem to suffer from the need to be heros...just do the job at hand...except maybe the Swallow! LOL
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by Firebird on 21-08-2007 at 07:46:
It is really interesting to read that piece and look at it in comparison to the team and I agree with Ebony in that the team were not after hero status they were there to do a job and that is what mattered. I think even though the swallow joked about it he too felt strongly to do what must be done to save their world.
I would love to hear Tengu's opinion on it and see what Tengu adds as I am by no means an expert on Japanese culture and like many others I am still learning a lot.
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Like the Phoenix I rise from the fire. Beware all who try to tame me, you may get burned 
Posted by Tengu on 21-08-2007 at 11:32:
<Tengu comes crashing though the window on a wing suit. She is carrying a beat up bokken and an armful of scrolls>
You called me?
I think what Buffy said is pretty true but it has a modern interpretation upon it.
There is no ecological awareness in the role of the ninja (except perjhaps that their religion would have been folk buddism which is mixed and inseprable with shinto)
any more than there is to the story of the Selkie. (often given an ecological and rather sugared watered slant these days) the selkie protect the seals because as sea dwellers they regard them as their flock.
But as for the combination of nature and technology (a thing the japanese have been known for and one I think will ensue their thriving in this century) that is true. The Ninja were great lovers and users of technology, they had no preconcieved ideas of how to do things.
Incidentaly most assasionations in feudal japan were carried out by disgruntled ex employees and general vendettas.
some of the more sneaky ones were ascribed to ninja but that has never been proved, and dont let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Posted by Firebird on 22-08-2007 at 09:41:
Tengu!
Lovely to see you. It is always wonderful to read some of your insights into the culture.
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Like the Phoenix I rise from the fire. Beware all who try to tame me, you may get burned
Posted by Buffy on 22-08-2007 at 13:43:
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Thank you so much Tengu! And you are spot on with where I was coming from. Giving the observations a modern viewpoint was exactly what I was trying to do, since our KNT are modern kiddies as were the people creating the show.
I agree with you, that ninja wouldn't have been historically ecologically aware, no more than any native tribe. Ecological awareness and reverence of nature are two seperate ideas. Eco-stewardship is a very new concept for the most part, brought on by dealing with the effects of modern industry and planetary over-population. I feel that, the creators of Gatchaman concously blended the old and new ideas in a way that would resonate with viewers.
Sort of like in the United States, when we have a show with Native Americans as the main characters, inevitably they will include some concept of the Native American having respect for/shaming offenders about not doing /teaching about taking care of the natural world.
Of course Japan being an entirely different society than America, Tatsunoko would go about it from his own cultural viewpoint.
I am falling in love with the culture all over again! Only this time from a more in-depth historical point of view, and less a rabid anime fangirl point of view. * Cheeky Grin *
I wasn't aware about what you said on assassinations, but it makes perfect sense! And even the ninja themselves would have promoted the propaganda pointing the finger at them. Dare I compare that to modern day terrorists taking credit for any mass bombings/attacks just because claiming credit makes them appear more fearsome?
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"Spider sense....tingling."
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 23-08-2007 at 01:20:
They were a culture that had a lot of mystery about them...they we're meant to be masters in martial arts and other forms of weaponary. Or was that just myths as well..
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by Buffy on 23-08-2007 at 03:50:
As I understand it, many different clans developed different martial arts for various reasons, not just the Ninja. It's kind of part of the Japanese wholistic approach to living.
What the Ninja did, was focus on martial abilities that facilitated gurilla warfare. They were a pretty small group of families, defending their territory and rights against much larger official groups. They focused on the sucker punch approach to fighting. Attack hard, and if that didn't work, haul ass. (Insert here the image of a ninja throwing a flashbang to obscure his retreat in a random movie). Early on, superior tactical techniques, and buddist philosophies they gained from the Chinese and Korean refugees were incorporated, gaining them some advantage. The way they fought was very similar to the Viet Cong and their "we're everywhere and nowhere" style of fighting during the Viet Nam Conflict in the 1960's. The Americans sometimes resorted to murdering whole villages because there might be one or two "Charlies" among them in hiding and ready to blow away a whole platoon. Very demoralizing. Occupying soldiers never knew where their enemy was, who was spying and who wasn't. The Viet Cong consisted of men, women, children, elderly, all hidden among the general populace. How do you fight an enemy you can't see?
The ninja's other strength was in invintive tool use. Two wooden bowls strapped to the feet to allow a ninja to literally walk on water. A garden spade transformed into a tool to quickly scale a tree or wall. That kind of thing.
And, as stated, their final strength was in their skill at spreading tales. They'd encourage and pump up a story to exagerate how they were percieved by the general populace. If everyone feared them to the core of their being, then the ninja were left alone. Much to their preference, considering their inferior numbers.
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"Spider sense....tingling."
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 23-08-2007 at 11:23:
We buffy that makes sense! I know there are regional styles in Japan for Karate..
Each Dojo has it's one technique that marks the style that is taught there (and the name of the style as well)...(correct me if I am wrong but that is how I understand it for the different styles.
The Japanese tend to be more formal towards martial arts than other cultures I have found, except maybe the Chinese, but they all have their own formalities I guess...
(I have never lived in Japan or been there, but attended a Dojo that taught traditional Japanese styles All the commands were even spoken in Japanese and the Sensi told me that information about styles.)
I love it that you are sharing this information with us!
I have read things about the ninja...but sometimes you wonder how much is truth and how much is leagend...making you doubt the accuracy of the information...but then a as you have pointed out here...they were good at rumours!
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by Metaliant on 23-08-2007 at 16:03:
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Karatedo means the Way of empty hand but orginally was called Way of the Chinese hand. This is because that's all you used, your hands. Orignally as I understand it, there 3 styles. I can't recall the names but one style used striaght hand movements, another used circular hand movements and the third used a bit of both.
I have done both Judo, tradidional and frestyle styles of Karate and you are right in saying it more ritualistic. You also use Japanese words and terms in both training and competition.
Also, the ninja's own martial arts are called Ninjutsu. While I was at college in the early 90s, there was a Dojo which used a room at the colleg to each Nimpo.
I just put that word into Wikipeda and got a page, Ninjutsu
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Posted by Firebird on 23-08-2007 at 19:02:
The wonderful thing about sharing this information is not only do we get to chat about a show we all love but we get to learn more about the different cultures.
Thank you all for sharing the information
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Like the Phoenix I rise from the fire. Beware all who try to tame me, you may get burned
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 26-08-2007 at 07:41:
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Karatedo means the Way of empty hand but orginally was called Way of the Chinese hand. This is because that's all you used, your hands. Orignally as I understand it, there 3 styles. I can't recall the names but one style used striaght hand movements, another used circular hand movements and the third used a bit of both.
I have done both Judo, tradidional and frestyle styles of Karate and you are right in saying it more ritualistic. You also use Japanese words and terms in both training and competition.
Also, the ninja's own martial arts are called Ninjutsu. While I was at college in the early 90s, there was a Dojo which used a room at the colleg to each Nimpo.
I just put that word into Wikipeda and got a page, Ninjutsu[
/quote]
Yeah, the Dojo I went to was very to the traditional style and they had a signature Kata for the style. The movements became intergrated over time to be called Karate...I do not know about other Asian styles...
I only ever learned Karate and admire the commitment and attitude of the real black belts.
I did do Karate for a while and it was explained to us the way you did here about it being only the hand for this but Ninja's styles were refered to as all weaponary...
The Sensi I had studied a style using both swords and Karate techniques. (He looked like Ryu! Hehehe) But he knows so much!
He told me it was considered a Ninja style that he learned with the weapons and the hands combined.
I can still hear the counts in Japanese and some of the terms...they were not a full contact style, and I bruised and battered at times anyway!
I went in 2 competitions and it was an experiance...Kata's were my favourite....I like to go to tournaments to watch the kumitie.
I have not been to a tournament in a long while so I'll have to see if there are any coming up...working Saturdays does not help! LOL
Full contact if done wrong could be very painful if you blocked wrong etc...I'm no expert at it, but I appreciate the skills Met!
I love to read any information about the styles just to learn more...
If you have any more information please share it!
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by CricketBeautiful on 27-08-2007 at 21:08:
Sensei told me that, while my son could block as hard as he liked in all situations, she herself could break someone's arm just by blocking. (But if anyone did anything where she'd have to block that hard, he fully deserves more than just a broken arm!)
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Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
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Posted by Ebonyswanne on 28-08-2007 at 05:29:
Yeah I would believe that Cricket, at a tournament I went to that happened during Kumitie...with 2 high grade belts...OUCH!
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by CricketBeautiful on 28-08-2007 at 15:26:
When Kyoshi Haley was up (Sensei's instructor), there was a session for adults of all belts. He saw Hubby and said, "Good, a yellow (very low) belt; they're expendable." Hubby got a few bruises out of it.
Next day, when Hubby took son for kids' session, he asked Hubby if he was okay.
Some of the stuff the higher belts do for toughening is downright nuts. I doubt Hubby will use sandpaper, but I'm hoping he'll do the endurance stuff.
__________________
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
- Viktor E. Frankl
Posted by Metaliant on 28-08-2007 at 17:36:
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Just go to here Ebony Karatedo and it shoulld give you enough information and links for you to browse in wonderment Grasshopper.
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