Made infamous by the media and popular culture, perhaps even more popular than the samurai, these dark figures cloaked in shadow need little introduction. But what about the real ninja?

This class is mostly lecture-based but will start with a discussion of what learners think to be popular myths about the ninja (based on media, etc.). I will then take learners through a PowerPoint slide presentation with images/photos and video clips covering the ninja and their true history. Focus will be on how they lived, what they actually did, how they fought, and how myths about them came to be. Stories of famous actual ninja in Japanese history and what they did, as well as some popular myths surrounding them that made them legendary, will be told as part of the class. Learners are encouraged to ask questions throughout.

No previous experience or knowledge of Japanese history, culture, etc. required.