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Home / Ninja Archives / Folklore

Folklore

Folklores about the ninja and samurai, and how it influenced pop culture; think Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru from Naruto.

Sarutobi Sasuke & the Original Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course
Folklore Modern Ninja Ninja Archives

Sarutobi Sasuke & the Original Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

Ninja Warrior and Sarutobi Sasuke. The first one’s a popular obstacle course competition. And the latter is a…

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Tengu Folklore
Folklore Ninja Archives

Tengu Folklore Retold by an American (who visited Japan in 1870)

According to folklore, the ninja were the descendants of tengu – legendary beings with long noses and hawk-like heads. These beings lived in…

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Jiraiya folklore by an American in the 1800s
Folklore Ninja Archives

Jiraiya Folklore retold by an American (who visited Japan in 1870)

Editor’s note: This version of Jiraiya folklore was written by William Elliot Griffis. During Japan’s modernisation, he was invited to Japan…

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The Tale of The Gallant Jiraiya (Original Folklore) – from Edo Period
Folklore Ninja Archives

The Tale of The Gallant Jiraiya (Original Folklore) – from Edo Period

Most people know Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru from the Naruto series. But did you know that these characters…

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Ninja Attack review
Folklore Library Ninja Archives

Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai and Outlaws Review

Reminiscent of a full-colour graphic novel and manga (Japanese comic),  Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai and Outlaws details…

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猿飛佐助 Saturobi Sasuke popular novel from the Meiji period
Folklore Ninja Archives

Sarutobi Sasuke, One of The Legendary Ten

Sarutobi Sasuke is probably a fictional character that appeared in many children’s stories in the early 20th Century….

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Ishikawa Goemon, The Ninja Thief
Folklore Ninja Archives

Ishikawa Goemon, The Ninja Thief

No ninjitsu school in Japan would openly acknowledge Ishikawa Goemon as one of their students. This is because,…

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Folklore Ninja Archives

Kato Danzo, The Ninja Illusionist

All Ninjas of the olden days were attributed supernatural powers, sometimes greatly exaggerated. Many were associated with witchcraft…

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Karasu Tengu Statue
Folklore History Ninja Archives

Tengu, The Ancestors of Ninja

Based on Japanese folklore, the ninja were descendants of the tengu (a being that was half man, half…

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