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Osprey Warrior #64
Ninja AD 1460–1650
The Ninja were the secret agents and assassins of feudal Japan and they remain a subject of enduring fascination. They first emerged during the power struggles of 9th and 10th century Japan, in response to the increasing demand for spies, informants and even assassins, and they were used until the mid-1600s when they disappeared on account of a campaign to destroy them. This title provides an accurate and detailed account of the reality of the Ninja, detailing their daily life, training, hiring, combat use and secret operations; also covered are the Ninja's use and knowledge of poisons, medicines and charms.
64 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2003
About the author
Stephen Turnbull
146 books128 followersStephen Richard Turnbull is British a historian specializing in eastern military history, especially the samurai of Japan. His books are mainly on Japanese and Mongolian subjects. He attended Cambridge University where he gained his first degree. He currently holds an MA in Theology, MA in Military History and a PhD from the University of Leeds where he is currently a lecturer in Far Eastern Religions. He has also written a number of books on other medieval topics. He is semi-retired but still holds the post of Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2025
I wonder what the real life ninjas would have thought had they seen a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book? NINJA AD 1460-1650 tells the story of them in their heyday. No, they didn't live in the sewers, but they weren't afraid to go in there to get the job done. In fact, he says with tongue in cheek, there was a story of a ninja assassination where the hard to reach target sat down to relieve himself. Unknown to him, the ninja below him in the sewage was waiting to thrust up his sword!
Yes, the ninjas wore black. Yes, they were assassins and threw their shuriken throwing stars. No, they couldn't fly through the air, pass through walls, or walk on water. Well, they did and they didn't.
Back in those days the samurai were of the higher social class. They valued pride of honor. On the battlefield they often singled out worthy opponents who brought them glory if they took their head. Any type of subterfuge was distasteful and dishonorable to them. At the bottom of the social class were the poor and rogue warriors. They didn't care who they killed or how.
Like politicians throughout history, a Japanese daimyo would not want to use his best men to perform an action that was repulsive to them, such as assassination. Better to use an assassin, and claim deniability. The ninjas filled this need. They were beneath contempt but indispensable. In war time they provided intelligence and committed sabotage. They were the only real mercenaries used.
The ninjas were trained from childhood to use weapons, develop balance, and how to live off the land. At sixteen they were sent on their first mission. From then on, that was their life. One of the things they had in common with the samurai was no fear of death.
A ninja would wear black, white, or anything else for camouflage or to conceal his identity. He would often pose as a komuso when on a reconnaissance mission. A komuso was a traveling Zen priest who played a flute and wore a straw basket over his head. People would invite them into their house or castle to play and offer prayers. It was the ideal way to get around.
The ninjas had an array of remarkable tools. Their shuriken stars were deadly enough as it was, even without the poison. Their tools allowed them to float across water, scale walls, or dig through them. This apparent ease with which they penetrated defenses gave rise to myths of their supernatural powers, which they helped foster while in disguise.
Let me end here by saying that if you want to read a short but excellent book on the subject that is well illustrated, read this instead of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book.
Yes, the ninjas wore black. Yes, they were assassins and threw their shuriken throwing stars. No, they couldn't fly through the air, pass through walls, or walk on water. Well, they did and they didn't.
Back in those days the samurai were of the higher social class. They valued pride of honor. On the battlefield they often singled out worthy opponents who brought them glory if they took their head. Any type of subterfuge was distasteful and dishonorable to them. At the bottom of the social class were the poor and rogue warriors. They didn't care who they killed or how.
Like politicians throughout history, a Japanese daimyo would not want to use his best men to perform an action that was repulsive to them, such as assassination. Better to use an assassin, and claim deniability. The ninjas filled this need. They were beneath contempt but indispensable. In war time they provided intelligence and committed sabotage. They were the only real mercenaries used.
The ninjas were trained from childhood to use weapons, develop balance, and how to live off the land. At sixteen they were sent on their first mission. From then on, that was their life. One of the things they had in common with the samurai was no fear of death.
A ninja would wear black, white, or anything else for camouflage or to conceal his identity. He would often pose as a komuso when on a reconnaissance mission. A komuso was a traveling Zen priest who played a flute and wore a straw basket over his head. People would invite them into their house or castle to play and offer prayers. It was the ideal way to get around.
The ninjas had an array of remarkable tools. Their shuriken stars were deadly enough as it was, even without the poison. Their tools allowed them to float across water, scale walls, or dig through them. This apparent ease with which they penetrated defenses gave rise to myths of their supernatural powers, which they helped foster while in disguise.
Let me end here by saying that if you want to read a short but excellent book on the subject that is well illustrated, read this instead of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book.
December 6, 2017
Maybe now I can tell a bedtime story my son will enjoy.
October 24, 2018
A nice collection of public records on the ninja
Some well elaborated descriptions of the lives of the people of Iga and Kōga.
All material is derived from public histories and chronicals, but nothing of private transmission. You're not going to find lessons here, just history (not a bad thing).
Some well elaborated descriptions of the lives of the people of Iga and Kōga.
All material is derived from public histories and chronicals, but nothing of private transmission. You're not going to find lessons here, just history (not a bad thing).
July 23, 2019
Very interesting, but doesn't go into much detail. Quite thin book ~ 60 pages, that can be read quickly. The format is a very large one to accommodate the pictures, only fits sideways into my library.
October 6, 2008
Sebagai pengantar dan komprehensi sejarah tentang ninja, buku ini cukup sepadan. Penuh ilustrasi gambar seperti buku seri Men at Arms. Hanya saja hanya sedikit gambar foto otentik. Saya beli buku terjemahannya karya KPG.
June 12, 2009
I'm fascinated by anything related to feudal Japan, and this book provides an accessible, yet scholarly account of the real shinobi and their historical context in Japanese history. Brilliant stuff, if only not quite long enough.
October 6, 2008
Inilah versi terjemahan buku Ninja AD 1460-1650 terbitan KPG yang saya beli kemarin. Reviewnya lihat di bawah.
July 3, 2011
591 - 2013
#Program BUBU
======================
673rd - 2011 3 Juli 2011
Akhirnya... dapat juga edisi yang ini di Kompas Gramedia Fair Bandung 2011!
#Program BUBU
======================
673rd - 2011 3 Juli 2011
Akhirnya... dapat juga edisi yang ini di Kompas Gramedia Fair Bandung 2011!
March 4, 2013
It's a ninja book with illustrations and diagrams. Good for the twelve-year-old in you.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews