10/07/2018
Great information from Billy on Kunoichi
Kunoichi くの一 One Upon Nine (Female Ninja)
There was a saying in feudal Japan that: there is no castle guarded well enough that a Kunoichi could not enter.
There exists the theory that Kunoichi is the character Onna 女 (Women) taken apart くノ一. However, the real meaning of Kunoichi is: One Upon Nine. A man has nine holes. These are the two eyes, the two nostrils, ears, mouth, urethral and a**s. Women in addition to these nine have the va**na. This is one upon nine くの一 (Ku-no-Ichi). It is nine plus one, that is zero. Using this art of nine plus one, using the art of concealment are the techniques of subtle perseverance of the female Ninja, the art of the Kunoichi.
Among the techniques of the Kunoichi, there are martial techniques of using hidden weapons (Kakushi Buki). The Kunoichi would combat the adversary using hidden weapons such as a knife hidden within musical instruments or flowers Chabana (tea flowers), Shuriken hidden inside a bowl, rings with spikes worn on the fingers called Tsunode or Kakushi. There is also a Kunoichi survival technique called Happa no Ichigeki (Eight Leaves Strike) or Tengu Taoshi (Goblin Felling). The adversary attacks the women. The cornered women pretends to be in total despair, showing herself to be devoid of any power in front of the man. The man, thinking it to be sufficient, attacks leisurely. At that moment the women strikes the man's ears with her hands with all her strength, giving the man a cerebral concussion and rupturing the ear drum.
Namazu Zuri 鮠釣り (Carp Fishing) This is a technique where a Kunoichi attaches a hook to a man's groin and then ties it to his thigh with a strap so that he cannot make any sudden moves. He is forced to remain compliant to prevent castrating himself.
Kanzashi 簪 - Is an ornament worn by women to fasten their hair, and was completely unnoticeable. The Kanzashi were dripped in poison, which made this ornament a deadly weapon. The Kunoichi often were disguised as Geisha so they could hide the Kanzashi in their hair.
Kaiken 懐剣 (small dagger) - A Kunoichi carried this small dagger. They could easily be hidden in the sleeves of her clothing or within normal everyday objects.
Geta 下駄 - This wooden footwear as a weapon could easily break a bone or stop an attack. A Kunoichi was able to use everyday objects to defend themselves and attack somebody if necessary.
Tessen 鉄扇 - special wooden fans with iron rods, was an easy to hide weapon. This is one of the primary functions of many of their weapons. To hide in plain sight.
Nekote 猫手 - Translated into English is 'Cat claws', there are different versions of this weapon, but they all are easy to hide and easy to use for attacking the enemy in an unguarded moment. The Nekote was very sharp and allowed the Kunoichi to attack the arteries, eyes or throat easily and accurately. Its biggest handicap was that they were harmless against armor.
Doku Yaku 毒薬 (Poisons) - was one of their priorities and a Kunoichi learned this mastery very early as they made her weapons deadlier and gave the ability to kill faster.
Kunoichi learned special techniques of 'allurement' called Miryokujutsu 魅力術. Women are attributed with more charm. There are places closed for men but for the charming and seductive woman all the doors may open. Kunoichi were trained to take advantage of this. Kunoichi thus were called upon to act as a spy, an observer, and a messenger.
Miryokujutsu 魅力術 (the art of charming) includes the following skills among others:
-The skill to dress neatly and attractively.
-The skill to discuss or hold conversation on various topics.
-The skill to use well their cosmetic products.
-The techniques of seduction.
Mochizuki Chiyome (望月 千代女), also known as Mochizuki Chiyojo. She was a Japanese noblewoman of the 16th century who was credited with creating an all-female group of ninja. Chiyome recruited several young women who were recently orphaned, prostitutes or victims of the civil wars of the Sengoku period. She also recruited girls who were either lost or abandoned. Many people believed that she was helping these women, and giving them an opportunity to start up a new life. But in reality, they were trained to become highly efficient information gatherers and verifiers, seductresses, messengers and when necessary, assassins. The girls were taught all the skills of a Miko (Shinto shrine maiden or a wandering female shaman), which allowed them to travel virtually anywhere without suspicion, receiving religious education to complete their disguise. Over time, Chiyome's Kunoichi learned to effectively use more disguises such as actresses, prostitutes or geisha. This allowed them to move freely within villages, towns, castles and temples, and get closer to their targets. Eventually, Chiyome and her Kunoichi had set up an extensive network of some 200-300 agents that served the Takeda clan and Shingen was always informed of all activities, putting him one step ahead of his opponents at all times.
Shimma Kunoichi: (female ninja family members), were trained as spies who were taught not to fall in love with their targets or lose sight of their ultimate goal after successful seduction. Head female agents were sent around the country to collect young female orphans, whom they raised with care. These orphan girls were forever indebted to their agents and would do whatever they were asked in terms of seducing men.
Karima Kunoichi: were women who were not part of the clan/family but were temporarily hired as maids, mistresses, entertainers, fortunetellers, prostitutes, or artists.
(This post dedicated to Abi Allen by Billy Ristuccia. You may be gone from us but never forgotten.)
