Ninjas (忍者, shinobi) were covert agents, spies, and assassins in feudal Japan, known for their deadly skills, stealth techniques, and mysterious lives. While some ninjas were real historical figures, others became legendary through folklore and myth.
This article explores 10 legendary ninjas, their real history, incredible achievements, and the mysteries surrounding them.
1. Hattori Hanzō (服部半蔵) – The Shogun’s Shadow
🔹 Lived: 1542–1596
🔹 Famous for: Protecting Tokugawa Ieyasu, expert in guerrilla warfare
✅ The Legend
Hattori Hanzō, also known as “Demon Hanzō” (鬼半蔵), was the leader of the Iga ninja clan. He helped Tokugawa Ieyasu escape a deadly ambush, paving the way for Ieyasu to become shogun of Japan. His loyalty and skill turned him into one of the most respected ninjas in history.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- Master of spear combat and stealth tactics
- Created Japan’s first secret police under the Tokugawa government
- Some legends say he had supernatural powers
2. Fūma Kotarō (風魔小太郎) – The Demon Ninja of the Night
🔹 Lived: 16th century
🔹 Famous for: Leading a ninja clan, ambushing the Takeda army
✅ The Legend
Fūma Kotarō was the feared leader of the Fūma ninja clan, who served the Hōjō family. He ambushed the Takeda army by setting traps and attacking on horseback at night, causing panic. He is also rumored to have assassinated Hattori Hanzō in a trap.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- Used psychological warfare and ambush tactics
- Described as huge, terrifying, and demonic
- Some say he was an actual demon or ghost
3. Mochizuki Chiyome (望月千代女) – The Female Ninja Master
🔹 Lived: 16th century
🔹 Famous for: Training a secret army of kunoichi (female ninjas)
✅ The Legend
Mochizuki Chiyome was the wife of a samurai, but after her husband’s death, she was recruited by the Takeda clan to train a network of female spies, assassins, and informants. Her kunoichi were disguised as geisha, shrine maidens, and servants to gather intelligence.
🔹 Why She’s Famous
- Established a female ninja school
- Her spies influenced major battles in the Sengoku period
- Some say she disappeared without a trace
4. Ishikawa Goemon (石川五右衛門) – The Ninja Robin Hood
🔹 Lived: 1558–1594
🔹 Famous for: Stealing from the rich, executing in a boiling pot
✅ The Legend
Ishikawa Goemon was a rogue ninja who stole gold and goods from corrupt samurai and distributed them to the poor. He was captured and executed by being boiled alive in a pot along with his son. However, some legends say his descendants continued his legacy.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- A folk hero of Japan, like Robin Hood
- His golden tea kettle is said to bring good luck
- Some stories claim he escaped execution
5. Kōga Saburō (甲賀三郎) – The Ninja Who Became a Monster
🔹 Lived: Unknown
🔹 Famous for: A legendary Kōga ninja who turned into a giant snake
✅ The Legend
Kōga Saburō was a skilled ninja from the Kōga clan, but after being cursed, he transformed into a monstrous snake and disappeared into the mountains. Some say he still haunts the Kōga region, protecting his descendants.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- A legendary ninja-turned-monster
- Said to possess immortality and dark powers
- Still worshipped at some Shinto shrines
6. Sarutobi Sasuke (猿飛佐助) – The Acrobat Ninja
🔹 Lived: Unknown (fictional or based on real ninjas)
🔹 Famous for: Superhuman agility and tricks
✅ The Legend
Sarutobi Sasuke was raised by monkeys in the mountains and mastered acrobatics and stealth. He later joined Sanada Yukimura, a famous warlord, and became part of the Sanada Ten Braves, a legendary ninja group.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- Jumped between trees like a monkey
- Supposedly had supernatural speed
- Inspired modern ninja characters in anime and manga
7. Kido Yazaemon（木戸弥左衛門） – The Ninja Who Tried to Assassinate Oda Nobunaga Twice
🔹 Birth and Death: Unknown
🔹 Famous for: Attempting to assassinate Oda Nobunaga
✅ The Legend
Kido Yazaemon was an Iga ninja known for his exceptional marksmanship with a firearm.
His most famous story revolves around his two failed attempts to assassinate Oda Nobunaga.
🔹 The First Attempt
While Nobunaga was out in public, Yazaemon fired his gun from a distance.
However, the bullet struck the handle of Nobunaga’s red umbrella, missing its target.
The next day, Yazaemon boldly approached Nobunaga himself and said,
“Yesterday’s attack must have been the work of the Iga or Koga ninjas. Please allow me to investigate.”
🔹 The Second Attempt
Determined to complete his mission, Yazaemon tried to shoot Nobunaga again but failed once more.
What happened to him afterward remains a mystery—some say he was executed, while others believe he escaped.
🔹 Why Is He Famous?
- A ninja bold enough to attempt Nobunaga’s assassination twice
- An expert marksman nicknamed “Otowa no Kido” (Kido of Otowa)
- His fate remains unknown, adding to the mystery of his legend
8. Jiraiya (自来也) – The Toad Ninja
🔹 Lived: Unknown (fictional but based on ninja folklore)
🔹 Famous for: Using toad magic (Jutsu)
✅ The Legend
Jiraiya was a mystical ninja who learned to summon and control giant toads to fight evil. His story inspired many modern ninja characters in pop culture.
🔹 Why He’s Famous
- Basis for modern ninja fiction (Naruto, etc.)
- Used magical ninjutsu to fight enemies
- Had a tragic love story with Tsunade, a woman cursed by a snake sorcerer
9. Sanada Yukimura（真田幸村） – The Samurai Hero with Ninja Bloodline
🔹 Birth and Death: 1567 – 1615
🔹 Famous for: A renowned samurai who challenged Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku period
✅ The Legend
Sanada Yukimura (born Sanada Nobushige) is widely celebrated as a war hero of the Sengoku period, particularly for his role in the Battle of Sekigahara and the Siege of Osaka. While he is mainly known as a samurai, it is said that he also inherited a ninja bloodline through his family’s connections with the Iga and Koga ninja clans.
🔹 Ninja Bloodline
The Sanada family had deep ties with the ninja clans of Iga and Koga, and it is believed that Yukimura, being raised in this environment, utilized many ninja-like tactics in warfare. While there are no specific stories of him being a trained ninja, his mastery of covert operations, espionage, and strategic ambushes suggests he was influenced by ninja methodology.
🔹 The Siege of Osaka
Yukimura is most famous for his role in the Siege of Osaka (1614–1615), where he commanded the forces of the Toyotomi clan against Tokugawa Ieyasu. He constructed the famous Sanada Maru, a fortification that fiercely resisted the Tokugawa forces. Although he was ultimately defeated and killed, his remarkable bravery and strategic genius in battle are still celebrated in Japanese history.
🔹 The Connection to Ninjas
Sanada Yukimura’s family history and his expertise in guerrilla warfare, deception, and surprise attacks make him an iconic figure with strong ties to the world of ninjas. While his role as a samurai was more prominent, his tactics and lineage have earned him a place in ninja folklore.
🔹 Why He Is Famous
- A renowned samurai with a potential ninja heritage
- Played a key role in the Siege of Osaka, where his tactical brilliance shone
- His legacy as a loyal and strategic warrior who stood against Tokugawa Ieyasu
10. The Unknown Ninjas – The Ones Who Never Left a Trace
🔹 Lived: Throughout history
🔹 Famous for: Staying hidden
✅ The Truth About Ninjas
Unlike samurai, ninjas worked in secrecy. Many true ninjas left no historical record because they were spies and assassins. The greatest ninjas are the ones we never knew existed.
🔹 Why They’re Famous
- Masters of espionage and deception
- Likely influenced modern intelligence agencies
- Some say ninjas still exist today
The world of ninjas is full of mystery, danger, and legendary tales.
Whether real or mythical, these figures continue to inspire modern stories, anime, and movies.
Who’s your favorite ninja? 🥷✨