Japanese researchers have made a fascinating discovery – a 300-year-old written Ninja oath. The Ninjas of ancient Japan are shrouded in mystery, and this newly found document sheds some light on their secretive lives. The oath, signed by a Ninja named Inosuke Kizu, promises to keep the secrets of their impressive sabotage and espionage skills under all circumstances. The document contains six promises, and Kizu thanks his master for introducing him to the art of Ninjutsu. The discovery of this document is significant for researchers as it proves the actual use of the secret Bansenshukai, also known as the Ninja Encyclopedia, from the 17th century.
The former Japanese Ninjas are legendary martial artists, but unlike the pre-industrial Samurais, little is known about them. The discovery of the 300-year-old Ninja oath provides a glimpse into their secretive lives. The oath contains six promises, and Kizu, who hailed from the mountains near Kyoto, pledged to keep the knowledge of Ninjutsu to himself and not use it for theft. The document also proves the actual use of the secret Bansenshukai, which was previously only speculated.
According to Yoshiki Takao, a scientist from the Japanese Ninja Research Center at Mie University, Ninjas were like state officials who collected information and ensured security. The newly discovered document shows how seriously the Ninjas took the secrecy of their skills. Kizu swore to take the punishment of all the gods in over 60 Japanese provinces if he ever broke his oath. The document is crucial for research as most of the knowledge about the Ninjas was passed down orally. The discovery of the oath provides valuable insight into the secretive lives of the Ninjas and their code of conduct.
