Every year on December 5th, we celebrate our fascination and love of all things ninja with International Ninja Day. If you’re a fan of ninjas, you’ll be pleased to know that ninjas were real. However, the real ninjas of the past were nothing like the ninjas we think of today. They weren’t even called ninjas! The ninjas of ancient Japan were called shinobis and lived between the 15th and 17th centuries, while the word “ninja” wasn’t used until the 20th century. What about those masks and all-black outfits? They’re a modern creation. The shinobi acted as spies and professional warriors and would’ve worn clothing that helped them blend in wherever they were. As the shinobi faded away, legends about them grew, which resulted in our modern version of ninjas. Visit Destiny, located in the Library and Media Services tile in the Portal, to learn more about these stealthy warriors. #InternationalNinjaDay
