The Duality of Ninjas: Warriors and Outlaws

This chapter examines the complex identity of ninjas, or shinobi, as both elite warriors and marginalized members of society. It contrasts traditional views of ninjas as hereditary elite with evidence of their lower-class origins and criminal associations during the Sengoku period. Additionally, it tracks the transformation of shinobi roles from mercenaries to agents of state authority in the Edo period, underscoring the historical narratives that shape our understanding of these figures.