Ninja

The ninja (Japanese: 忍者) or shinobi (Japanese: 忍び) was a covert mercenary or agent in feudal Japan. The skills of a ninja included espionage, deception, and surprise attacks. Ninjas originated from the Iga and Koga provinces. They used the covert methods of irregular warfare to accomplish tasks, much to the disgust of the samurai. The ninja proper made their appearance in the 15th century during the Sengoku period, as specially trained spies and mercenaries. The feminine form was kunoichi.

As with many people, the ninja were caught up in the ancient conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, when they arrived in Japan through Portuguese traders amidst the chaos and turmoil caused by warring clans in the 16th century. While some aligned themselves with the Brotherhood such as Hattori Hanzō, others chose the Templars most notably Mochizuki Chiyome. By the Boshin War, Issa of the Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins was a fully-trained shinobi sent to assassinate British Consul Harry Parkes only to be killed by William Lloyd of the Templar Order.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Memories
• Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Blade of Aizu