CIA Report on Ninjas
In a curious and fascinating chapter of espionage history, the CIA once took a deep dive into the world of ninjas. In 2007, the Agency declassified an eight-page report simply titled The Ninja, opening up the enigmatic world of Japan's famed covert operatives to the public. With the subheading “Oriental prototype of the cloak-and-dagger man,” this document appears to be an attempt to understand the origins, tools, tactics, and unique qualities of the ninja within the context of ancient Japanese history.
The report is part of the CIA's Historical Review Program (HRP), a product of an effort that began in the 1980s to increase transparency around historically significant agency materials. Under the direction of then-Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) William Casey, the CIA declassified millions of records from the WWII-era Office of Strategic Services (OSS) archives, eventually establishing the HRP formally in 1992 under DCI Robert Gates. Since then, documents such as The Ninja have been released to the public, offering insights into the Agency’s efforts to better understand its own history as well as the historical legacy of espionage around the world.
Origins and Structure of the Ninja Clan
The CIA’s report begins with a broad overview of the ninja’s origins, tracing them to Japan’s mountain ascetics, or yamabushi, warrior-priests who practiced austerity in the mountains. According to the document, as these groups came under government persecution, they turned to guerrilla tactics to protect their shrines and communities. The resulting blend of religious asceticism and covert warfare birthed the martial art of bujutsu—the “art of eighteen methods,” which included karate, kenjutsu, and bojutsu, among others.
The ninja clans had a highly organized command structure, broken down into three distinct ranks. At the top was the jonin, the clan leader and often the head of a powerful family. Below the jonin were the chunin, middle-tier operatives skilled in various aspects of espionage and guerrilla warfare. Finally, the genin occupied the lowest rank, executing missions assigned by the chunin. This hierarchy, noted in the report, was essential for the ninjas’ operational secrecy and tactical efficiency.
Popular Misconceptions and the “Ninja Look”
The CIA report, however, veers into popular myth when describing the ninja’s appearance. It notes that “the ninja’s garb was all black,” complete with a black cloth “wrapped in turban style” to cover their mouth and jaw. This detail, while popularized by media and legend, is not historically accurate; historical evidence suggests that ninjas typically wore clothing that allowed them to blend into their surroundings, often mirroring the attire of the common populace. While some historical texts mention using a sleeve to obscure the face, there is scant evidence of ninjas donning the iconic all-black attire we see today.
Tools of the Ninja: Grappling Hooks, Stone Pencils, and Towels
Among the report’s more accurate insights is its list of essential tools that ninjas supposedly carried. The report names six essentials: a straw hat, a grappling hook, a stone pencil, medicine, a fire lighter, and a three-foot towel. Each item served multiple purposes, illustrating the ninja’s adaptability. The three-foot towel, for example, could be used for climbing, as a mask, or even as a container for carrying poisons or water purifiers.
The report also delves into the ninja’s ingenuity in crossing water. Ninjas would use floatation aids like mizugumo, or floating pots, along with bamboo paddles to navigate rivers stealthily. Snorkels, wooden flippers, and even collapsible boats were part of their gear, according to the report. Although, it is not known if these devices were actually ever used.
Masters of the Art of Espionage
One section of the report highlights the ninja’s ability to assess their surroundings, citing their skill in determining an opponent’s sleep status through “a study of snores” with a bamboo listening pipe. It also describes the ninjas’ methods of cooking rice without a pot and freshening saltwater with red earth in the base of a boat—a clear testament to their resourcefulness.
In keeping with their covert methods, ninjas were also skilled in adopting disguises. The CIA report references the “seven basic covers” used by ninjas: monks, mountain ascetics, merchants, entertainers, and various other figures. This allowed them to blend into any crowd, making it easier to gather information, influence events, and avoid detection.
The Ninja’s Decline and Final Legacy
The report concludes with a reflection on the ninja’s decline as a formal force. When Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan and established his rule from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in the early 17th century, he brought 200 ninjas with him to serve as personal guards and intelligence operatives. Hattori Hanzo, the famed ninja leader who helped Ieyasu secure his rule, was appointed chief of this elite guard—a position likened in the report to that of the U.S. Secret Service chief. With the advent of peace in the Tokugawa era, the need for ninjas waned, leading to their gradual disappearance.
The Purpose Behind the CIA’s Study
One lingering mystery about the report is why it was commissioned in the first place. The CIA’s interest in historical espionage techniques is not surprising; understanding ancient methods provides a unique perspective on covert operations and intelligence gathering across time and cultures. However, it is unclear if the report was purely an academic exercise or if it was intended to draw parallels with modern espionage tactics.
In sum, the declassified The Ninja document offers a unique, if occasionally flawed, glimpse into the CIA’s view of Japan’s legendary covert operatives. While it succumbs to some common misconceptions, it highlights the ninjas’ resourcefulness, adaptability, and organization—traits valued by spies worldwide. And for the modern reader, the report stands as an intriguing artifact in the legacy of espionage, showing that even centuries-old secrets of the ninja can find a place in the files of the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies.
