Buzz
While media often depicts ninjas as shadowy figures armed with swords, throwing stars, and dressed in black attire, the reality was quite different. In fact, ninjas preferred using knives, which were far easier to conceal. Shurikens were thrown, but more often as distractions than as actual weapons. And contrary to the popular image, ninjas typically wore dark blue instead of black. The contrast between their true nature and how they're shown in modern media can often be attributed to creative liberty. However, even when they are depicted accurately, certain ninja tools and weapons seem to be overlooked.
10. Cat’s Eyes
Much like today’s special forces and intelligence operatives, timing was of the essence for ninjas. Although they didn’t have the modern stopwatches we rely on, they devised something just as effective—and certainly more inventive.
Ninjas were skilled in nekome-jutsu, a unique technique that enabled them to read the time simply by observing a cat's eye closely. Cats have incredibly sensitive eyes, with pupils that adjust to varying light levels throughout the day. In the early morning, a cat’s pupils are round and fully open to absorb as much light as possible. From around 8:00 AM to noon, the pupils shift to an oval shape to limit excess light as the Sun rises. At noon, when the Sun is at its peak, the pupils are at their narrowest. With this understanding, ninjas could estimate the time within an hour. The question of whether they kept cats on their wrists for convenience, though, remains unknown.
9. Mizu-gomo
In ancient times, whether in Asia or Europe, fortresses were commonly protected by moats. As ninjas often targeted the elite, this was a frequent obstacle they had to overcome. Movies often depict ninjas effortlessly leaping over such barriers with a single flip or running across the surface of the water. However, in reality, they used a tool known as the mizu-gumo, which translates to “water spider.”
The device consisted of four curved planks, made either from wood or inflatable animal hide, all connected by a fifth plank in the center. Historians still aren't entirely sure how mizu-gumo were actually used. The most common assumption is that the fifth plank was worn on the foot, and with another on the opposite foot, the ninja would be able to walk on water. While this may sound like something out of a biblical story, such ideas have been debunked. A more plausible theory is that it was used as a raft. It's likely that the mizu-gumo was employed more for wading through murky swamps than for floating on top of water.
8. Saoto Hikigane
For ninjas, having sharp hearing was crucial. They were sometimes hired just to gather information, while at other times, they listened for guards making their rounds to gather intel on their schedules. In essence, eavesdropping was an essential part of the ninja’s job description. To help with this, ninjas used a listening device called a saoto hikigane.
It’s often called the “ear trumpet” because of its distinct shape. The saoto hikigane was a cone-shaped tool, typically made from metal or sometimes wood. Its size varied, with some versions being easier to conceal than others. The ninja would position the wide end against a wall, amplifying and directing sound through the narrow end to their ear. It functioned much like cupping a hand to your ear or placing a cup against a wall to listen.
7. Donohi
Ninjas were skilled combatants, but even they needed help to battle the cold. During long stakeouts in freezing temperatures, they often relied on body warmers known as donohi. These warmers were typically crafted from bamboo, iron, or copper and contained flammable materials such as gunpowder, alcohol, and cloth. Attached to the donohi was a fire-starting tool called a tsuketake, which would ignite the fuel. Once lit, the fire could burn for hours—or even days.
Since ninjas used their hands for nearly every task, they couldn’t afford to have their fingers go numb or suffer from frostbite. The donohi were vital in preventing such risks. Additionally, they served as a portable and quick source of fire, useful for everything from setting an enemy’s house alight to cooking meals. It was essentially a ninja-style cigarette lighter.
6. Kanzashi
Ninjas were famous for their ability to transform almost anything into a weapon, and having something sharp and concealed in their hair certainly didn’t hurt. Enter the kanzashi, a hairpin worn by women in feudal Japan. These pins were harmless in themselves, but in the hands of a ninja, they became lethal. A ninja could use them to strike vital points or nerve clusters, or even sharpen them to function as knife-like weapons for self-defense or offense. When dipped in poison, they turned into deadly assassination tools.
Kanzashi were especially effective for kunoichi (female ninjas), who preferred small, easily concealed weapons. Thanks to the popularity of these hairpins among women, kunoichi could carry them without arousing suspicion. This goes to show that even a ninja’s fashion accessories could be deadly.
5. Pencil Cases
It’s often said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Usually, this phrase is metaphorical—but in the hands of a ninja, a pen could actually be deadly. Ninjas made it a point to carry a yatate with them wherever they went. This was a small cylindrical object, sometimes crafted from bamboo but typically made of metal. One end of the yatate contained a tiny compartment for ink, while the rest of the cylinder was hollow, meant to hold a small calligraphy brush.
Beyond its use as a weapon, it’s crucial to remember that ninjas were primarily spies. The yatate allowed them to quickly jot down observations and record valuable intelligence as they carried out their missions. In the event of an attack, however, ninjas could hide spikes, needles, and even poison inside the yatate, replacing the writing brush with deadly tools. Much like the kanzashi, these seemingly innocent pencil cases went unnoticed by anyone around.
4. Neko-te
Ninjas were as tough as they come, so it's no surprise that they even weaponized their fingernails. The metal claws known as neko-te were especially favored by female ninjas. These claws could be attached in various ways, some molded like a thimble, others secured around the fingertips like rings. Most were made from iron, though in desperate situations, ninjas could use thin bamboo or even repurpose old hairpins and jewelry into razor-sharp fingernails.
The name of this weapon comes from its resemblance to a cat’s claws, as “Neko” means “cat” in Japanese, and “te” means “hand.” It’s worth noting that this weapon was typically used by female ninjas. Kunoichi training emphasized the use of lightweight and easily concealed tools.
3. Rice
Believe it or not, rice was one of the ninja's secret tools. These masters of espionage and assassination didn’t just use rice for dinner—they used it as a method of covert communication. The technique, known as goshiki-mai, or five-colored rice, involved painting the grains in red, blue, yellow, black, or purple, which was then used to encode messages. Ninjas would discreetly drop the colored rice on roadsides or in other unnoticeable spots. Regular passersby would think nothing of it, but fellow ninjas would recognize the pattern, allowing them to decipher over 100 different codes based on the colors and quantity of rice.
But goshiki-mai wasn’t just a clever way to exchange secret messages—it was also bird-proof. The painted grains ensured that birds wouldn’t mistake them for seeds and eat them before they could be noticed by the right ninja.
2. Eggshells
Though ninjas were known for their exceptional stealth, the real reason they earned a reputation for invisibility was their use of various blinding powders. These skilled warriors were incredibly resourceful, relying on readily available materials rather than crafting everything themselves. One of their go-to containers for these powders was eggshells. They would carefully pierce a hole in the shell, drain its contents, and fill it with irritants like iron filings, salt, or ground pepper. Anything that could make an ordinary person’s eyes water was a prime ingredient. During combat, ninjas would shatter the eggs in their opponents’ faces, rendering them blind.
The eyes were not the only targets for ninjas—they were also adept at creating mixtures that would agitate the nose and respiratory system. Even a brief moment of discomfort could give the ninja the upper hand, providing enough time to either press the attack or make a swift getaway.
1. Crickets
Ninjas were experts in stealth, trained to approach their targets without making a sound. However, there were times when complete silence was impossible, even for them. Walking through a forest of dry leaves or snow was particularly challenging, as even the smallest sound could give away their position. In such situations, ninjas would carry small containers filled with crickets. The insects’ chirping would mask any unintended noise, allowing the ninjas to move undetected.
Ninjas used a unique blend of chemicals to control the chirping of crickets, ensuring they sounded when necessary. This concoction also prevented them from chirping at times when silence was crucial for the ninja. Since the sound of crickets is so common, enemies never suspected it, and in fact, the usual assumption was quite the opposite—insects and birds typically fall silent when a predator or human approaches. Even when moving stealthily, ninjas kept crickets with them to avoid alerting nearby creatures to their presence.
