Ninja had many different types of tools, depending on the job. Here are some
of the known tools the ninja used.
Asiaro
The Ninja were master trackers able to identify all types of prints on the
ground and, being the proficient trackers they were, they also realized that
they, too, could be tracked, especially while wearing tabi or split toed boots.
This problem was solved by the invention of many types of "footprints" carved
out of wood and attached to the soles of the Ninja's tabi.
The ashiaro took many shapes such as a bear's or a dog's and they also were made
to imitate human prints. These prints made the Ninja's tracks look like those of
a child by making the ashiaro small and shaped like a child's foot or the Ninja
could be made to look like a cripple by deforming the shape of the ashiaro.
Wearing these footprints, a Ninja could walk confidently through enemy territory
and not worry about being tracked. After all, the Samurai wouldn't consider a
cripple or a child a threat.
Doka
A doka is a small container for used to safely carry live coal. This device is
used for lighting candles, fuses. It can also be used to warm their hands on
cold nights.
Gando
Though the Ninja operated mostly by night, even they needed some light now and
then. The gando was a lantern that acted much as a flashlight. A candle was
mounted inside a piece of metal that was shaped like a cone and a handle was
attached to the closed end of the metal. With the candle shielded by the metal,
light only shone in one direction instead of all directions as with a regular
lantern.
Hasami Bune
Hasami bune is a collapsible float that is used to transport the ninja's
equipment across the water without getting wet.
Kaginawa
The kaginawa, or grappling hook, was a climbing device consisting of a pronged
hook with 12 to 15 feet of rope attached. The kaginawa was used to scale walls
or to swing across large gaps, however, it could also be used as a weapon. By
holding the rope and swinging the hook over the head, the Ninja could strike his
opponent with the sharp prongs of the hook or the rope could be used to entangle
the enemy and enable the Ninja to strike with another weapon.
Kama Ikada
A water crossing device that was like much like a raft. Ninja would build these
to cross large bodies of water or to sail to their destination.
Kusuribin
The Ninja often carried a "medicine can" filled with antiseptics and ointments
which he used to heal himself if he were cut or injured while on his mission.
The kusuribin was also used to carry poisons and antidotes.
Metal Grips
Since the Ninja had to be prepared to run over any and all terrain, they often
carried metal strips with a spiked edge on one site. These strips were tied to
the bottom of the Ninja's tabi to gain a better grip over uneven or slippery
terrain. These would be the equivalent of the spiked shoes that many athletes
wear today.
Mizu Gumo
A Mizu Gumo is a water crossing device that was used by the ninja. It was an
inflatible seat that surrounds the hips of the ninja and suspends him in water.
The pouches that held the air were usually made out of rabbit skin and horse
hide.
Metsubishi
Metsubishi, or "eye closer", were used to temporarily, or sometimes permanently,
blind the enemy. Hollowed out egg shells, paper bags and short bamboo tubes were
filled with a combination of sand, metal filings and pepper and were used to
attack the eyes of an enemy. Egg shells and paper bags were used by throwing the
fragile containers at the opponent's face, causing it to break on impact and
scatter the contents across the face and into the eyes. Bamboo tubes were sealed
with paper or wax and, when the seal was broken, the tube was flung in the
direction of the opponent, sending the contents into the face, blinding him.
Usually, metsubisi were used to make an escape when surrounded or cornered or if
the Ninja felt there were too many opponents to fight at once. For example, if a
Ninja were faced with 5 or 6 opponents, he might use metsubishi to blind 2 or 3
of them while he dispensed of the others.
Shuko and Ashiko
These were steel or iron bands that were tied over the hands and feet and used
as climbing aids. With the use of shuko and ashiko, a Ninja could scale a wall
or climb a tree in a matter of seconds. In fact, many Samurai were reported as
saying the Ninja could "climb like a bear."
Shikoro
The Ninja carried a variety of small sawing tools with them in order to make
small holes in walls so that a clear view could be gained into a room while
hiding. Most of these saws were triangular in shape. This enabled the Ninja
create a hole that was wide on his end of the wall and a small hole on the other
side.
Shinobi Bune
Sometimes, the Ninja had to cross wide rivers or even sail down them. For this,
bamboo sticks and large, empty jars would be carried in a bag and, when the
Ninja reached the river he had to cross or travel down, he assembled them into a
criss-cross frame and then the jars, which were sealed closed, were tied to the
bottom of the frame and acted as floats. The Ninja then pushed the boat into the
water and used an extra bamboo stick as a paddle.
Smoke Bomb
This circler bomb of smoke was made famous by the ninja movies in the 80's. For
a quick get away this bomb could be filled with gun powder to make an explosion
and smoke.
Shinobi Kai
A shinobi kai is a collapsable oar that is used with ninja water crossing
devices. It was made of bamboo strip with a fan at the end.
Tojime
Since most Japanese doors slid from side to side instead of opening outward or
inward, the Ninja would carry a variety of "jamming" tools. The tojime were bars
of steel with a hook on each end. These hooks would be used to hold the door
closed by locking them closed.
Taru Ikada
Floatation pots used by the ninja to cross shallow waterways and streams. The
ninja would put each foot into a pot and cross the water.
Tsugi Bune
The Tsugi Bune is a collapsible boat used by the ninja. Each ninja would carry
their section of the boat when on land, and then join the pieces together when
need for floatation.