Supernatural Ninja

Over the centuries, the ninja's fearsome reputation grew and grew. Eventually, the stories and legends surrounding them took on supernatural qualities. This happened in several ways:

• Historical figures and legendary heroes in Japan had ninja skills added to their stories.
• True stories of ninja exploits were expanded and exaggerated.
• The ninja themselves often used tricks and disguises that made their powers seem supernatural, and they encouraged stories depicting themselves as superheroes.
• Traditional Chinese and Japanese mysticism was mixed into ninja stories.

  Photo courtesy Rick Tew’s College of Martial Science Ninja were said to fade into the shadows, hiding under cover of darkness.

The ninja did little to discourage the myths that sprung up around them. These mythical superninja supposedly were:

• 7 feet tall
• Able to fly
• Able to become invisible
• Able to walk through walls
• Shape shifters
• Three-headed
• Ghosts

At least one ninja is known to have faked his own death so that when he returned, he would be feared as a ghost. Much of ninja history is clouded as a result of these ninja fairy tales.