Ultimate Ninja Weapon That You Probably Don't Know

Written by Alvian Casablancas on Aug 23, 2015

Katana, shuriken, gunpowder and smoke bombs, perhaps these kinds of objects will be mentioned if somebody ask "what are the weapon does ninja use?" Yes, because these weapons are often appeared in such ninja stories nowadays. Both in the film and the animated series.

Ninja is in fact exist, and historically they were created to fight samurai. But unlike samurai, ninja don't use sword to fight, but they prefers to use "silent but deadly" method. Exactly as described so far.

Well, discussing about ninja is very exciting. Not just a matter of history and their work, but also the unique plenty of equipment they use in action.

Many don't know if ninja not only use shuriken and small katana. There are quite a lot of other equipment with a specific function which is not less amazing used by ninja. Here they are:

1. Nekome-Jutsu (how ninja knows time)

For ninja, accuracy timing is everything. However, in the old days, such digital watch with a timer hasn't been created yet as it is now. To find out the timing, ninja simply use cat's eyes. Certainly not by implanting it just like in Naruto. But, they quite simply seeing the eyes.

Nekome-Jutsu, technique to know timing by seeing cat's eyes [pixabay.com]

This skill was named Nekome-Jutsu, which means "art of seeing cat's eyes". As you know, this furry creature is very sensitive to light and has the ability to increase or decrease the width of their pupils. Well, ninja take advantage of these changes to understand time. For example, during twilight, cat's pupils will be more oval and will be enlarged during morning.

Thus, we can conclude that these cat's pupils have a cycle that shows the time and it was used by ninja without the need of digital watch. Even in every mission, a group of ninja ensured to bring cats with them.

2. Mizu-Gomo (how ninja moves on water)

Back to the era of edo (in Japan ancient times), the guards often make trenches filled with water to protect the castle from enemies. This became a problem for the ninja because their targets are often high buildings. Now, to solve the problem, they simply use a tool called Mizu-Gomo.

Mizu-Gomo [Image Source]

This object shaped a circular wooden plate with a kind of square in the middle. These objects are believed to be applied in both legs and then they will be able to walk on water. But many people doubt this concept, seeing the shape of the object is quite impossible.

Most historians say this is sort of a mini raft whose function is to allow ninja to move on the water. By using knowledge of light in weight and tremendous ninja speed, they can walk on water which is not something impossible.

3. Saoto Hikigane (how ninja spreads information)

Perhaps you wonder why ninja is very quick in spreading and getting information. Though there is no means of communication or even telepathy which often appear in the film. Well, ninja uses tool for that, which is called Saoto Hikigane.

Saoto Hikigane [Image Source]

Saoto Hikigane or ear trumpet is shaped like ivory. And it has two holes in between two sides. To use it simply let the voice go through a small piece of cone. Saoto Hikigane usually made of wood and metal which is carved based on needs. Another method of use is to attach the large hole to the wall and the small side placed to the ear.

4. Donohi (how ninja warms something)

Ninja is a strong and smart fighter. They can adjust themselves to any environmental conditions. If the weather is good, they will bring normal equipment. Well, while the weather is extremely cold, they will bring equipment named Donohi. There is no equivalent word for it, but easy to say it's like body warmer.

Donohi [Image Source]

Donohi is a useful container-shaped which can be filled with objects that makes warm. From gunpowder to alcohol. Donohi can be made of bamboo or metal materials too. Another use of Donohi apart from a body warmers is as a lighter. So, when ninja spends the night somewhere and he needs a fire, he can lit Donohi and the spark will come from it.

5. Yatate (how ninja writes and hides their tools)

Besides hearing, ninjas also write information they get. For that they bring Yatate. The form is quite simple, cylinder-shaped and made of bamboo or metal. Yatate has one hole in the bottom and used as an ink container. Ninja will carry a small brush along with Yatate.

Yatate, ninja's writing tool [Image Source]

Although literally just as writing tool, but you should remember if they are ninja. Of course, anything that they bring is more than actual functions.

Yep, this Yatate can also be a deadly weapon. Not only contains a brush and ink, they also sometimes carry needles and poison in their Yatate. Perhaps from here comes a famous philosophy which is now called "more deadly than the sword".

6. Crickets (how ninja disguises their steps)

Not only cat, ninja often carry a box of crickets. Surely not to bait animals when they are hungry. But as the most reliable means of camouflage. Ninja can't always be silent and deadly. There are times when they will be caught when they slipped. Well, this is the most appropriate time to use the cricket pet.

Crickets in gourds (wikimedia.org)

As you know, crickets could make a very noisy sound. It's very useful to disguise the sound of their steps in the middle of noisy sound of crickets. The most unique thing, they are able to make the crickets sounds only when they need by using some kind of chemical liquid.

7. Goshiki-Mai (how ninja communicates with other through code)

There are times when ninja is divided into one large group and then separated into different mission. However, they are still able to communicate very well with the others. Of course they use code. They wrote the codes by sowing rice. This technique is called Goshiki-Mai.

Rice, the hardest code which can be understood by ninja (flickr.com)

Certainly not just the usual white rice, but it has been colored. There are at least 5 types of colors, they are red, blue, yellow, black and purple. Each one has its own meaning. Enemies or people won't realize this, but ninja will be very aware. Reportedly, they had more than 100 combination of the code written on this colored rice.

What if the rice is eaten by birds or insects? It's not going to be happened. Because the color itself contains some kind of chemical substance that makes the animals wouldn't touch it.

In an age which technology is still growing rapidly as it is, ninja has been able to create a variety of great tools. Not surprised if you hear their name, people would be very terrified. Due there's no such conflict as it once was in Japan, finally the existence of ninja began to gradually disappear.

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