Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 13:39:08 GMT
I originally read it in some ninja book a couple of years ago. If i find it or think of the name ill post back.
Wikipedia says they were traditionally shorter for better close quarter combat and for a quicker draw to throw their opponents off guard. It also mentions that Hollywood and modern interpretations came up with the straight blade and it is not historically accurate.
I was watching a History Channel Documentary on Ninjas and they did say they were spies but were only successful on about 15% of their missions.
Side note (not really relevant but interesting fact I remember from that book that I cant remember the name): The word assassin actually means "hasheesh smoker"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 14:26:17 GMT
You have to take Wikipedia and History Channel with a grain of salt; it is edited by people just like you and me so sometimes, their own biases or lack-of-understanding will be present in any article they write or edit so keep that in mind, at least with regard to Wikipedia. The History Channel tends to be somewhat more accurate but again, I've noticed in certain aspects, it leaves a bit to be desired.
Having said that, since there are little or no written records about these stealth warriors, most of what we can put forth is conjecture. For instance, how could it be known that ninja were successful only 15% of the time, I mean, who was keeping score?
The word 'assassin' was derived from the Arabic word Hashshashin; it does not mean hashish smoker as is commonly thought, it was a designation of the Nizari branch of the Ismaili Shia Muslims of the middle ages. It has been suggested that 'assassin' simply meant 'follower of Hassan-i Sabbah, founder of that sect.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 19:47:39 GMT
I take everything I read with a grain of salt because every human has their own opinions and can swing the argument one way or the other. So I definitely agree with you on that point.
And as far as the definition goes, i was completely unaware of that source of the word. Thank you for the enlightening fact.... I guess you really do learn something new everyday
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 19:55:25 GMT
I try to, at least....but like my sig says, I'm always ready to learn, just don't always like being taught. lol
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SlayerofDarkness
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"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jun 18, 2009 18:03:39 GMT
Wow... I'm impressed! There has been a great deal of controversy in this thread so far, and yet no one has been rude or even standoff-ish. Kudos to all of you. ;D I, for one, have nothing to contribute to this thread simply because I know nearly no true 'facts' about ninjas. Plenty of that fun ol' hollywood junk, but I'm just as short on facts as most of you guys. I do seem to remember a certain 'scottbiaoisdead' character who claimed to be a leading expert on real ninja practices and weapons. I wouldn't know if what he said was 100% true or not, but it certainly seemed to be plausible. Maybe shoot him a PM? I don't know, just an idea. -Slayer
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 18:54:30 GMT
Hard to believe anything as far as literature on ninjas...I mean, who's writing these books? Even the 'ninjutsu' practitioners, where are they getting their forms/techniques from? I watched a self-styled ninja get his ass handed to him by a streetfighter- does that mean he wasn't a real ninja? He sure looked decidedly unimpressive...I mean, whose to really say?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 19:02:00 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 19:24:41 GMT
I can't even access SFI from work anymore...
*sigh*
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 19:28:27 GMT
why's that? did you get banned or something... they've been known to do that to "outsiders"
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Post by hotspur on Jun 18, 2009 20:12:40 GMT
why's that? did you get banned or something... they've been known to do that to "outsiders" Ed, Ed, Ed, Playing one side against another? Things rarely happen in a vaucum out in the ether. Cheers Hotspur; might as well have linked your thread in the first place
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 20:35:14 GMT
why's that? did you get banned or something... they've been known to do that to "outsiders" Outsiders? I don't know about all that; I joined SFI back in '06 and never had any problems, except for a few reprimands about the appropriateness of posting in certain threads. No, my job blocked the site; it is that simple.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 20:50:39 GMT
thast forutnate... i've personally never had problems with SFI either but many people on other forums don't hold it in very high regard as a result of either being banned, or victims of elitism
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2009 18:22:09 GMT
Well, I am familiar with that elitist attitude over there; seeing as I couldn't afford the swords these guys used to converse about, I felt like a loner and got tired of the 'save your money for this or that' line. I was happy as a pig in a pen when I happened upon this site...much more warmer and friendlier than over there. So I'm not too upset that its blocked at work, I haven't had much of a presence in there since...well, probably since 07.
They're quick to lay the smackdown, that's for sure. Couched in semi-polite language but you feel the sting nonetheless.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2009 20:43:05 GMT
my sentiments exactly... SFI is like a library run by librarians who'd rather poke your eyes out than issue you a library card
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