Ninjas Were Real. How We Portray Them is Not.

Take the PBS Digital Studios Audience Survey: https://to.pbs.org/pbssurvey2023p The Edo period marked the start of 250 years of peace for Japan, but it came as a death sentence for shinobi. These highly trained spies mastered the art of deception and infiltration, and some even worked as assassins. But when these talented figures started dying out, legend and mythology took their place, and eventually turned into the classic ninja characters we see in movies and TV today. ***** PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateORIG ***** Rogue History It’s been said that history is written by those in power. But what about the outlaws, outcasts, and rogues? What if they had their say? Rogue History, a digital series produced by PBS Digital Studios and PBS North Carolina, shakes the dust off the history books to unravel myths, unearth narratives, and discover fresh perspectives. Subscribe to PBS Origins so you never miss an episode!    / pbsorigins   And keep up with Rogue History and PBS Origins on: Facebook:   / pbsdigitalstudios   Twitter:   / pbsds   Instagram:   / pbsds   Chapters 00:01 Ninjas in Western Cinema 00:33 First Records of Ninjas in 10th Century 01:38 Real Ninja Disguises and Tools 03:27 Public vs Hidden Shinobi 05:42 Skills in Ninjutsu 06:45 Origins of Black-Clad Ninja 07:59 Why Real Shinobi Disappeared