# A few misconceptions about real-life Ninjas, cleared up **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467 "2004-03-20T22:43:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/101 "2004-03-23T21:08:57Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > Wasn’t Elvis a ‘Blackbelt’? > > Personally, I’m not that impressed by people who have earned this or any of the other of these martial arts ‘designations’. The blackbelt designation is given way too much meaning and respect than it deserves. It’s been said a couple times here already, a blackbelt is a person who is ready to really learn the art. Basically, he doesn’t need to be taught the basics anymore. An educational analogy… A blackbelt is a martial arts college graduate. Sure he knows a bunch of stuff, but nobody is going to call the average college grad an expert in anything. Heck, there are 2 levels of schooling above them that are filled with experts, and a whole workforce of people with heavy real-world experience they don’t have. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/102 "2004-03-23T22:04:03Z")
> [@rimshotgdansk](#): > > Is NinjaChick arrogant and boastful? Sure sounds like it. We must have been reading different OPs. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/103 "2004-03-23T23:01:32Z")
Pretty much what **rimshotgdansk** said on the username issue. Because it sounds cool. As I said before, the ‘karate’ thing is just a personal quibble of mine that I’m irrationally bitchy about. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@coffeecam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecam)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/104 "2004-03-23T23:08:46Z")
**DtC** according to [Biff](http://www.chrismoore.com/lamb.htm) only Monk #3 knows how to do the heart thing… no oneseems to be willing to volunteer to participate in the demonstration with him… so it may forever remain a mystery. **Caine and/or Seth** I agree DocCathode must suffer. C ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/105 "2004-03-23T23:10:47Z")
I’m still a bit unclear on the purpose of the ninja… ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/106 "2004-03-24T00:35:48Z")
Clearly there is only one way for you to deal with people who ask you such pesky questions about your study of Tae Kwon Leap… ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/107 "2004-03-24T01:31:01Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > If you ain’t drunk, how do you explain the fact that you completely missed APOC’s point? He had a point? ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/108 "2004-03-24T01:59:32Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > I’m still a bit unclear on the purpose of the ninja… Depends on how you talk to. Best story I’ve heard is that they came from rural families not part of the samurai set or the samurai set’s serfs. They developed a fighting style all their own, along with an ethic all their own—e.g. a sword was a tool to be made inexpensively, not a high-priced status symbol. Since they couldn’t stand against the samurai on a battle field—numbers & funds, not lack of ability—they specialized in guerilla warfare. This skill set eventually made them effective spies & such. I saw that on a Discovery Channel documentary, so it’s probably all bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/109 "2004-03-24T03:09:05Z")
My advice to [n]NinjaChick\*\* would be to not get too wrapped up in it, or you may have some trouble adjusting to a [workplace environment](http://www.theonion.com/onion3535/disgruntled_ninja.html). ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/110 "2004-03-24T03:35:19Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Clearly there is only one way for you to deal with people who ask you such pesky questions about your study of Tae Kwon Leap… Boot to the head! ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/111 "2004-03-24T05:10:52Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > I’m still a bit unclear on the purpose of the ninja… > [@](#): > > Facts: > > 1. Ninjas are mammals. > > 2. Ninjas fight ALL the time. > > 3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people. [Cite](http://www.realultimatepower.net/) I know this ninja who totally flipped out and killed an entire town once just cause he was in this diner and someone dropped a spoon. It was sweet! ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/112 "2004-03-24T06:13:08Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yeah, but he’s got, like, twenty-five mintues to get out of the way. "Hey, uh, Darth … we’re still a few minutes away from having a clear shot at the Rebel base. What say we warm up the ol’ planet-destroying ray? Darth? Don’t you think … GAAAAAK … please, don’t strangle me from several feet away … GAAAAAK … URK … " ---
**Author:** ![APOC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@APOC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APOC)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/113 "2004-03-24T11:19:00Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > He had a point? Sure did. Let me level down a notch or two for 'ya. Guess all those brain cells you’ve not destroyed drinking beer are kinda lonely in there. The word Ninja conjures up all kinds of connotations and sensationalistic imagry that has no basis in fact. I was surprised that someone who has attained a senior level in a martial art would associate themselves with that knowing the misconceptions people have. That was my point. I’ve kinda changed my outlook a little. NinjaChick can call herself whatever she pleases and indeed has managed to get 3 pages of mileage out of it , so it cant be all bad. You go , you crazy stealthy night stalking assassin for hire ! > [@Miller](#): > > I don’t even drink beer. Can’t stand the stuff. And thus we see the foolishness of assuming too much about a poster based on his or her screenname. Indeed , I never suggested it , I was attempting an analogy based on what was close to hand. Speaking of assuming too much from usernames , what about APOC makes you confident about declaring me a he ? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/114 "2004-03-24T15:48:46Z")
A simple thank you would have been nice… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/115 "2004-03-24T15:59:37Z")
Is there even such a thing as a “ninja” anymore, outside of movies? Studying tae kwan do doesn’t make you a ninja, does it? It’s like asserting someone who studies kendo is a Jedi Knight. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/116 "2004-03-24T16:03:25Z")
**js\_africanus** and **GMRyujin** , thank you; both posts were extremely informative, particularly **GMRyujin’s** link. > [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Miller** > _Gosh, you don’t suppose that maybe she was trying to make a joke, do you? What is it with you martial arts types, anyway? Do you need to not have a sense of humor before you start, or do they just beat it out of you in training?_ My Master punishes me severely if I laugh or otherwise show a lack of discipline when he has instructed me to remain in position. Anyway, what was all this about the martial arts again? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/117 "2004-03-24T16:13:42Z")
**RickJay** : there actually are still practitioners of _ninjutsu_ around, with ninja-to, shuriken and the whole deal, although compared to karateka, practitioners of Tae Kwon Do, or what have you, they’re as rare as hen’s teeth. In many ways the study of the art is useful mostly for historical value, like Dave Lowry’s study of the _shinkage-ryu_ swordsmanship used by feudal samurai lords. However, on that point a _ninjutsu_ practitioner might disagree with me, and accordingly flip out and kill me as they are prone to do. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/118 "2004-03-24T18:19:54Z")
OK, I’ll slip stealthily from the shadows into this thread. There were martial arts that were associated with the Japanese Ninja or Shinobi of the 13th-17th Century. Some of these martial arts were passed down through the centuries to the modern world. They are now (and arguably always have been) variants of jujitsu. Some of the ideas of what Ninjas were are simply popular characterizations from early Japanese theater. Others are based on the mountain warriors of the Iga and Koga regions of Japan. The Bujinkan group of martial arts contains some schools (or ryu(sp?)) with quite reasonable ninja heritage. That said no one (not even the Grand Master to my knowledge) who studies the Bujinkan martial arts would consider themselves a Ninja. Offshoots of the Bujinkan exist with similar feelings that their practitioners are not Ninjas (no matter how skillful they are). Independent to this are a few very small Japanese groups with different ninja heritage that may have some authenticity, and would similarly distance themselves from calling their practitioners ninja. Completely bogus groups can be found like those connected to Ashida Kim (which are easily identified as such) which may call themselves Ninja (or Pokemon for all I or anyone else should care). ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Angel\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_Heart)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/119 "2004-03-24T18:40:49Z")
> [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > Well while we’re bitching about people asking silly questions about hobbies, a big up yours to those of you who ask silly questions about fencing. > > -Yes, I use a sword, dipshit. Fence posts just don’t cut it these days. [nitpick] Actually, it’s your _weapon_ 🙂 [/nitpick] [hijack] So, do you do epee, foil or sabre? I did foil when I was at my old school but they don’t have a team here. I’ve had to answer the same kind of questions. ---
**Author:** ![APOC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@APOC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APOC)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467/120 "2004-03-24T18:56:14Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > A simple thank you would have been nice… Thank You 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-misconceptions-about-real-life-ninjas-cleared-up/235467.md?page=7)