| It is believed that ninjas first came into existence in the | | | | Hollywood is largely responsible for the popularity of |
| 1400's. Although it is possible that these arts were | | | | ninjas in the west. While there were always stories |
| practiced prior to this date, there is no recorded | | | | and legends about these mysterious figures, it took |
| evidence of this occurring. The Ninja or Shinobi, | | | | Hollywood to transform these legends into living and |
| functioned primarily as a warrior for the Japanese elite. | | | | breathing myths that inspire fear and awe. Most |
| They were used as assassins, spies and were largely | | | | people would never hear about the ninja way if it |
| mercenary, working for however paid the most. | | | | wasn't for movies that feature these shadowy |
| There was little actual organization during this time | | | | characters. |
| period and not much is known about the ninja way. For | | | | In the beginning, ninjas were considered to be the "bad |
| a time, they disappeared from records, until resurfacing | | | | guys" in martial arts films. They went against the "hero" |
| in the 1800's, only to fall into obscurity again as Japan | | | | and struck without warning. Audiences perceived them |
| evolved beyond the need for them. Ninjas have been | | | | to be scary and a fear of the unknown fueled this line |
| misunderstood largely thanks to Hollywood's efforts to | | | | of thinking. However, as is natural, the evolution of the |
| use them as the "bad guy" in martial arts films. | | | | "anti-hero" meant that Hollywood needed to take the |
| They may be remembered as mercenaries, spies and | | | | ninja and make them a good character. |
| assassins, but true ninjas were masters of martial arts, | | | | Instead of being the bad guy trapped in shadows, |
| their ninja weapons and they fought for the cause that | | | | Hollywood began focusing on the noble aspects of the |
| they believed in. They functioned as they saw fit and | | | | ninja. Their discipline and their path to enlightenment |
| their true purpose may not be understood now, but we | | | | became the story, not the sneak attacks. Instead of |
| cannot fault them for their actions. The true ninja path | | | | relegating ninjas to the part of the bad guy, suddenly |
| consists of discipline, stealth and the practice of martial | | | | we had them as the hero. Thanks in a large part to |
| arts and has little to do with revenge and petty human | | | | actors like Bruce Lee, ninjas became more acceptable. |
| concerns. Their practice is legendary with years | | | | Other actors like Jackie Chan, Steven Segal and |
| devoted to master the ninja sword, throwing stars, and | | | | others have transformed the ninja into the male lead |
| many other concealed weapons. | | | | instead of relegating him to the shadows. |
| The Evolution of Ninjas in Hollywood | | | | |