International Ninja Day is held on 5th December. Historically, a ninja - or shinobi in Japanese - was a mercenary during the Sengoku period in Japan. Specialised in infiltration and espionage, these warriors were usually from the countryside without access to armour and weapons. Hence, many of their weapons came from agricultural roots, such as the Kunai and sickles. The black clothing that characterises the ninja today resulted from their representation in theatre. It symbolises how invisible they were to the ruling class as humble farmers without specific clothing, weapons, or banner.
Small boys seem to revel in everything to do with Ninjas. Whenever we do a display in the library, the books 'walk out the door' very quickly. Luckily there is so many of them. See:
There are fairytale ninjas,
grandmother ninjas,
and plenty of beginning chapter book series
