Page 110 - Martial Science Magazine Special Edition 2015

GOLDEN EDITION 2014

the Sengoku period, Iga Ninjas made their castles
for the purpose of guarding Iga territories. It was
during this perilous Sengoku time period that Iga
Ninjas were essential as specialized soldiers. Al-
most all Iga Ninjas belonged to “Iga Sokoku-ikki”
(an organization that Iga samurai and Iga Ninjas
made against the enemies from other countries).
Yet some groups had to betray in order to survive.
In the battle of Tensho Iga no Ran in 1581, Iga Nin-
jas fought against Oda Nobunaga, who was stron-
gest load and ruling Japan. Yet, Oda’s forces were
so powerful and Iga Sokoku-ikki was eventually
destroyed.

The battle ended in only two weeks. Almost Iga
area was completely burnt. After the collapse of Iga
Sokoku-ikki, Some Iga Ninjas who escaped began
preparing for their next battle, while other Iga Nin-
jas were hired by lords from other areas.

Todo Tatora, the lord from Iga during 1608-1615,
hired Chigachi Uneme, who was the boss of the
strongest Iga Ninjas group. Chigachi was the rela-
tive of Hattori’s (the strongest and most famous Iga
Ninja).

Takatora gave his family honor and name,
“Todo” to Uneme. Takatora announced to
Iga Ninjas, that any who worked for other
lords must return to Iga, otherwise, Taka-
tora threatened to confiscate their lands HIROSHI IKEDA
and banish their wives and children from Iga.
Takatora had a hatred of other Sengoku lords who
hired Iga Ninjas. Later Takatora stationed Iga Nin- Hiroshi Ikeda is a Japanese school teacher from
jas as special soldiers to guard him as Igamono of IGA. His great passion for over 20 years is the
the Todo Clan.
study of everything related to the Shinobi. It is
After Tokugawa Ieyasu ruled Japan perfectly in therefore considered a “ninjologist” or a specialist
1615, Iga Ninja’s main work was not to fight in ba- in everything related to the ninja world, its history
ttles, but to guard the Todo Lord and investigate, and culture. Also his other great passion is botany,
in order to prevent rebellion against the Todo clan.
The last so he knows many different plants whose
highlighted incident of the Ninjas was that of the properties were well known and used
Iga Ninja, Sawamura, investigated Perry’s black by the Shinobishu.
ship when it visited Japan in 1853. This activity was
the last work of the Iga Ninja.

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