Hmmm....., anybody here that is actually Japanese or Chinese? Or did most of you just watched too much martial arts movie/anime?
For the record:
Most ninjas weren't assains, they were spies. A famous ninja during the Japanese warring period once said, "If all ninjas were such great assains, then there would be no need for armies.". Like the modern CIA, DIA, NSA, UPS, SEALs, and etc..., they were messengers, intelligence agents, information gathers, political analyist, black ops, red ops, thieves, talent searchers, and all other stuff that the above agenies do today. Most ninjas were hired for life by their warlords. Quite a few belong to clans. There are some modern Yakuzas clans claim to be ancient ninja clans. Contrary to pop culture beliefs, there is a "unofficial" code of honor for them. An untrustworthy spy is useless, and he/she will be hunt down bec. of what he/she knows. Ninja was one profession that women in ancient Japan has equal footing with men. A high percentage of famous Geishas in those days were ninjas/spies. Most warlords were depended on ninjas for information about other "countries". They were also used extensively in battles as messengers who carried orders, battle information gathers, and carriers of special tactics.(such as misinformation, or were implanted earlier to influence internal politics.)
I hope this gives you some basic idea about the real ninjas. For more info, look up translated historicial novels from Japanese warring periods.
Samurais were one thing and one thing only. They were professional soldiers. Most soldiers in ancient Japan were farmers who get drafted when needed. It usually happen during non-farming seasons. Professional soldiers were needed when there was a war going on, but most regular foot soldier were busy harvest crops for supplies. Like India, Japan had a similar caste system where monks and samuris were at the top. Most samurais were paid by a food and a very low base salary. Their bonus were paid based on the heads they cut off their enemies. The higher the rank of the head, the better the bonus. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of lower rank samurais don't follow the code of Bushido. They were often loafers who didn't want to work at the family farm. So they "joined" the local armies for free food, drinks, and women when there is war. A lot don't have loyalities and only work for the highest bidder. Similar to the western knights, they were overly glamorized by popular fiction, and movies. Most of the honorable samurais came from good families where they received good training and education. They were often sons of priests, warlords, and local barons(whom owned the land). These are the people who were required and taught to follow the doctorine of the Bushido. A high percentage of high ranking samurais don't fight on battlefield. They work as advisors, cabinet ministers, administrators, and etc..., because only them had the education to do so. They basically run things as your local civil servants and polticians would today. The only difference is that they weren't elected. A low ranking samurai would only get promoted to higher status if he has shown extraordinary talent, skills, honor, and intelligence, plus making a significant contribution to the battles. Only then he'll be rewarded with land, gold, and hand in marriage with a daughter of a higher ranking samurai. A lot of warlords run their countries like the modern mafia. Most of the ruling class were related in one way or another. Since family is the Japanese heart and soul, and you can't betray your family; this was a great way to gain loyality.
Anyway, I think that's enough to get you going, if you are interested to know more, either look them up yourself, or e-mail me.
BTW, Japanese came from China. Most of the Japanese languages, art and culture were brought to Japan by scholars and priests who went to China to study in Chinese unversities.
Most Japanese martial arts were developed by Japanese who went to China to study the arts of war, and then adopting them to suit their needs.
Just for the record.
Starseeker, signing off.
"The final price of freedom, is the willingness to face the most frightening being of all, one's own self."
