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05-27-2009, 11:52 AM | #1 |
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So, tankers... I see you there. I'm watching you. I can hear your thoughts. I know what's going on in that head of yours. You thirst for knowledge. You probably also thirst for that last Miller Lite you had in the fridge, but I drank it last night while I watched you sleep. Then I touched you a lot.
Anyway, the purpose of this thread, and the potential series of threads, is to add knowledge and some realistic information to your Joe-Verse. I'd love to take requests, and I'd love for others to share their knowledge with me. This thread in particular is about NINJA. Yeah, you know you like 'em. Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, their epic battles, their amazing abilities... but how realistic and accurate are they? Who is the most accurate ninja? The answer may suprise you. Or not. The history of ninja is very murky. The entire concept of the mysterious shadow warriors is a subject of debate and dispute among historians. After all, Japanese history isn't the most accurate- as it often blends folklore and mythology with real events. Many speculate that ninja were often purged from historical records, other times they were grossly exaggerated. But I'll break down some of the stereotypical ninja stuff, and present you with what was most likely the "real" ninja. Ninja were silent assassins and covert operatives that were probably the first special forces. Okay, true... and kinda false. Ninja were actually first used because of one reason- Bushido. Bushido was like the Geneva Convention of the day in Japan. It basically laid down the rules to Samurai and noble warriors about what was and was not cool. Everybody plays by the same rules, and it's a fair fight. However, no one could ignore the fact that shady operations were extremely useful... but the followers of Bushido didn't want to dirty their hands. To be cliche'- Enter the ninja. Ninja were the "Blackwater" of their time. Peasants and little nobodies to do all the dirty work. Were they elite? Who knows. They were useful, and they were unconventional. It's entirely possible that many of them were used as "commandos", albeit not in the all-black pajamas and ninja star way. They would most likely be armed in a similar fashion as a Samurai, albeit with lighter armor. Ninja wore all black costumes. Are you an idiot? If you see someone run across a parking lot in all-black pj's and a facemask, you say one thing: "Holy Shit! A Ninja". Why do you do this? Because that getup isn't very inconspicuous. What would ninja wear? Peasant ninjas would probably cover their faces, or wear porcelean or clay masks. A long scarf would do just fine to conceal your features from the local law enforcement. Their clothes probably resembled peasant clothes and robes. Ninja in the employ of a government or clan would most likely, as said before, dressed in lighter battlefield armor. When traveling incognito, a ninja would just... well... blend in. Like a normal dude (or chick). The all-black costume originates with stage plays, whenever someone had to appear "invisible" against a black background, or to lift objects and people to give them the illusion of flight (top that, Spielberg). Ninja are awesome martial artists Um... sure, why not? But this is misleading. Saying ninja had awesome martial arts skills is kinda like saying Marines have awesome martial arts skills. It's always been common for troops in any part of a military or paramilitary organization to train in hand-to-hand combat. The ninja would probably practice a fast-attack, disabling, disarming martial art... much like any soldier would back then. Some probably knew a great deal, especially considering the fact that disguising yourself as a peasant or priest doesn't mix well with carrying around a weapon... Ninjas used ninja swords and ninja stars and nunchucks and kunai and ... As fun as it is to imagine, a lot of this is very inaccurate. Ninja swords have never even been found. Most likely, this is a fantasy element. Ninjas with swords would often use a sword slightly shorter than a samurai sword, in the original sheath- as to give the weapon a quicker draw (similar to filing the sights on a pistol, so to speak). Ninja stars... well, they hurt. And it would probably suck to get one in the eye. But that doesn't make one worth carrying, unless you poison it. Even then, they aren't as accurate as say, a small throwing dagger or dart. Even then, it's not lethal... just more irritating than anything else. A kunai was actually a common tool made of iron for prying and other work. What was probably more common was the Kama- a very common gardening tool. Fun fact, kids- many martial arts weapons originated as gardening tools, as peasants were not allowed to have weapons. So what were the ninja? A lot of things. Were they as awesome as we pretend? Some could have been. Sabotage, assassination, causing discord among the ranks, psychological warfare... hey, there's not a whole lot of information. So, who in the Joe-verse is the most accurate ninja? [spoiler] Firefly. Yep, according to the historical accounts, the sabatuer and mischeivious man who is loyal to the almighty dollar is the most accurate depiction of the ninja. Ninja were really fond of explosives and booby traps, and often sided with whoever paid them the most. Sorry, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.[/spoiler] But I'm not out to burst your bubble. Who is history to ruin our imagination? We can have fun all we want and romanticize historical characters for fun. That's what imagination is all about. Of course, if the ninja were still around today- everything I discussed would be exactly what they want you to believe. |
Baron Samedi |
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05-27-2009, 11:58 AM | #2 |
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Good to see this. Word needs to get out that ninjas weren't what the movies, SE and SS depict.
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05-27-2009, 11:59 AM | #3 |
#voteblackjack
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In the Resolute website, when you "unlock" Snake-Eyes' room, there's a text piece that describes his sword. It's a shorter sword in a normal sheath for a quicker draw.
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05-27-2009, 12:00 PM | #4 |
U and ur friends r dead.
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Ummmmm....okay? I think most of us already knew all of this.
I was born at night, but it wasn't last night. The things that you are discussing would be like telling us that a movie that's "based" on a true story isn't 100% accurate. Nice write up anyhow.
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05-27-2009, 12:01 PM | #5 |
proud YoJoeSexual
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jeezuz...all those words...........its leo tolstoy!
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05-27-2009, 12:01 PM | #6 |
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Right, which, according to what I have read was pretty accurate. Although, this was more or less used whenever two wmen dueled... in an Iajutsu samurai duel... the ideal strike is the first as soon as the blade is pulled from its sheath. Having a shorting blade than sheath would screw up an opponent's timing, thus giving the "ninja" in the duel an unfair advantage.
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05-27-2009, 12:07 PM | #7 |
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Thats pretty interesting.
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05-27-2009, 12:20 PM | #8 |
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That's cool! I figured they were fairly romanticized, but I wasn't quite sure how.
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05-27-2009, 12:36 PM | #9 |
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miller light is for ladies and north east philly residents, i call it milladelphia, that's all those jokers drink out there. you wont catch me drinkin' a watered down barley an hops drink ever, unless i already been drinkin' an ran out the good stuff.. go get ya'selves a mans beer, like molson xxx..
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05-27-2009, 12:44 PM | #10 |
Hisstank.Com General
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That was a really great little summary - hope to see more of these historical snapshots.
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