# Ninja

By [wasz](https://paragraph.com/@wasz) · 2022-12-21

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A **ninja** (忍者, Japanese pronunciation: [\[ɲiꜜɲdʑa\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese)) or **_shinobi_** (忍び, [\[ɕinobi\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese)) was a [covert agent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_agent) or mercenary in [feudal Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan#Feudal_Japan). The functions of a ninja included [reconnaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconnaissance), espionage, [infiltration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiltration_tactics), [deception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception), [ambush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambush), [bodyguarding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyguard) and their fighting skills in [martial arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts), including [ninjutsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninjutsu).[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja#cite_note-Kawakami_21-22-1) Their covert methods of waging [irregular warfare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irregular_warfare) were deemed dishonorable and beneath the honor of the [samurai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai).[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja#cite_note-Turnbull_2003_5_6-2) Though _shinobi_ proper, as specially trained spies and mercenaries, appeared in the 15th century during the [Sengoku period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengoku_period),[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja#cite_note-Turnbull2003-3) antecedents may have existed as early as the 12th century.

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*Originally published on [wasz](https://paragraph.com/@wasz/ninja)*