Podcast Summary
Ninja Impact on Generations: Media representations of ninjas left a lasting impact on generations, inspiring interest and shaping perceptions, from GI Joe to Hellmann's plant-based mayo alternatives.
T-Mobile's 5G home Internet is improving connections in hard-to-reach places, allowing for better work-from-home setups. Meanwhile, Hellmann's introduces a plant-based mayo spread and dressing for those following plant-based diets or just looking for a tasty alternative. The Ninja topic brought up in this episode highlights the influence of pop culture on generations, with early exposures including GI Joe's Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and kid-friendly ninja movies. Despite the complications and nuances of the Ninja history, these media representations left a lasting impact. T-Mobile's home Internet plan starts at $50 a month, while Hellmann's plant-based mayo and dressing offer the same great taste without eggs.
Ninja pronunciation shift: The term 'ninja' as we know it today did not appear in Japanese-English dictionaries until the late 1970s, but gained popularity due to the 1967 James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice' and its cultural insensitivities.
The concept of the ninja became popular in English-speaking cultures later than one might expect. The word "ninja" with its current romanization did not appear in any Japanese-English dictionary until 1974, despite the fact that there were Japanese-English dictionaries before the mid-20th century. The favored Japanese pronunciation for the same concepts was "shinobi mono" or "shinobi no mono." However, an alternate pronunciation of the same ideographs, "nin," "ninja," or "ninja," became the dominant way of expressing the idea in English contexts, starting around the mid-20th or 1970s. This shift in pronunciation can be attributed in part to the 1967 James Bond film "You Only Live Twice," which introduced the idea of the ninja to a wider international audience, although the film has been criticized for its racial and cultural insensitivities. Overall, the popularization of the ninja outside of Japan and the adoption of the term "ninja" in English can be traced back to this period.
Ninja influence on James Bond: The influence of Japanese ninja culture on the James Bond series can be traced back to the 1965 film 'Shinobi no Mono' and the writings of Futaro Yamada. Ninjas were added to the Bond series after Roald Dahl was inspired during a research trip to Japan, leading to their iconic portrayal as stealthy assassins in black, fanatical acrobats, and members of a secret brotherhood.
The influence of Japanese ninja culture on international cinema, specifically in the James Bond series, can be traced back to various sources such as the 1965 film "Shinobi no Mono" and the writings of Futaro Yamada. Ninjas were added to the screenplay of "You Only Live Twice" by Roald Dahl after he was inspired by the 1965 Ninja film during his research trip to Japan. The iconic image of a ninja as a stealthy assassin dressed head to toe in black cloth with mask and master of martial arts combat, special tools, and weapons, became a common characteristic of international market movie ninjas. These ninjas were often depicted as fanatics, capable of almost superhuman acrobatics, and members of a secret international brotherhood. The popularity of ninja in films and pop culture was further propelled by the success of movies like "You Only Live Twice." Today, AI technology is revolutionizing industries, but to compete, companies need to upgrade to the next generation of cloud infrastructure like Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) for faster processing and less cost. Meanwhile, the image of ninjas continues to captivate audiences in various forms of media.
Ninja Myth vs. Reality: Popular beliefs about ninjas being master spies, wearing all black, using stars for navigation, and having magical powers are largely based on myth and storytelling, not historical fact.
The portrayal of ninjas in popular culture, particularly in Western media, often differs significantly from historical facts. While ninjas did exist in Japan and were involved in stealth and assassination, much of the myth and legend surrounding them has been romanticized and exaggerated over time. This transformation occurred within Japanese popular culture long before Western adaptations, and many common beliefs about ninjas are based on text traditions that may not reflect historical reality. The term "ninja" or "shinobi" originally referred to clandestine or invisible individuals, but historically, they would have been known by various colloquial terms. It's important to separate fact from fiction when studying the history of ninjas, and to be aware of the influence of myth and storytelling on our understanding of these enigmatic figures.
Ancient Spy Techniques: Ancient texts like 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu outline the use of various types of spies and infiltrators, including native, inside, friendly, dead, and living agents, for gathering intel and creating discord within enemy ranks. These strategies influenced the development of the ninja myth in Japan.
The concept of spies and infiltrators in warfare predates the popular image of the ninja. The classic Chinese text, "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, discusses the use of secret agents and outlines five types: native, inside, friendly, dead, and living agents. These agents serve various purposes, from gathering general information to creating discord within enemy ranks. Sun Tzu's text, written around the 5th century BCE, influenced the development of the ninja myth in Japan. The idea of a secret agent or spy with exceptional abilities and the capacity to gather valuable information in hostile territory is not unique to the ninja legend but has roots in ancient warfare strategies. The image of the ninja as a master spy has persisted in popular culture due to the influential nature of texts like "The Art of War" and the codification of existing practices. It's worth noting that the ninja's image as a peak-ability character in fiction, such as being the smartest, speaking multiple languages, and being unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat, is often depicted as a spy. This may be a reflection of the inherent danger and importance of espionage in warfare.
Ninja vs Samurai image vs reality: Historically, ninjas used modern technology and were not the dark antithesis of samurais as commonly portrayed, but rather served as the 'dirty tricks department' for feudal lords, and their skills were not celebrated in polite society.
The myth of the ninja in popular culture often depicts them as relying on traditional weapons and eschewing modern technology, but historically, ninjas would have made use of the latest advancements available to them. This contrast between the modern image of the ninja and historical reality is a result of storytelling traditions that often present the ninja as the dark antithesis of the samurai, with the ninja portrayed as a commoner, treacherous, and mercenary, while the samurai are depicted as noble, honorable, and self-sacrificing. Despite this, historically, ninjas were likely to be lower-born individuals who served as the "dirty tricks department" for feudal lords, and their skills were not celebrated in polite society. However, it's important to note that this contrast between the ninja and samurai archetypes is not based on historical fact but rather on storytelling traditions.
Ninja clothing myth: Contrary to popular belief, ninjas did not always wear black clothing to blend into the shadows. Instead, they likely used disguises and blended into their surroundings in more creative ways.
The image of the ninja, shrouded in mystery and dressed all in black, is a relatively modern representation of these ancient spies and assassins. Despite the popular belief that ninjas always wore black to blend into the shadows, there is no evidence that this was the case during their actual time. Instead, they likely used disguises and blended into their surroundings in more creative ways, such as posing as entertainers, prostitutes, or even holy women. The use of female spies, while taboo, may have been even more common than the use of male ninjas. The earliest known depictions of ninjas in all black clothing date back to the late 1800s, and it is believed that this representation was influenced by the use of black-clad stagehands in Japanese theater. Overall, the history of the ninja is one of breaking rules and using unconventional methods to achieve military and political goals.
Ninja history and fiction: Ninja history is a complex blend of fact and fiction, with their true nature shrouded in secrecy and their image in fiction often differing from historical reality
The historical reality of the Ninja or Shinobi is shrouded in mystery due to their secretive nature and the prevalence of fiction and legend surrounding them. Contrary to popular belief, Ninjas were not always dressed in full black costumes to blend in but rather would look like ordinary people to move undetected among crowds. However, in fiction and media, they are often portrayed as wearing distinctive black outfits and engaging in thrilling and exciting exploits. This tension between historical fact and fiction makes it challenging to distinguish the true nature of the Shinobi. Additionally, during the Sengoku era when they were most active, they were associated with trouble and unrest, and it was only during the more peaceful Edo period that tales of their stealthy exploits began to be romanticized for entertainment purposes. The Ninja's secretive nature and the passage of time have resulted in a complex and interwoven history that continues to intrigue and inspire. For further exploration, the books "Ninja Attack" by Yoda and Alt, along with their other works on Yokai and Yuri, provide informative and well-researched insights into Japanese culture and history.
Ninja Mythos in Pop Culture: The enduring appeal of ninja mythos is evident through various forms of media, with individuals finding joy in the challenge or a more relaxed experience, despite varying levels of difficulty.
The world of the ninja, whether through video games like Ninja Gaiden or TV shows and films, has left a lasting impact on pop culture. People's first experiences with this legend vary, and some games were notoriously difficult to beat. However, the motivation for playing these games differed among individuals. Some found joy in the challenge, while others preferred a more relaxed experience. Regardless, the discussion highlights the enduring appeal of the ninja mythos. Additionally, the podcast mentioned some interesting trivia, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for NES, which was initially believed to be unbeatable. The episode also featured sponsor mentions for Hellmann's plant-based mayo spread and dressing and Drop, an app that offers rewards for filling up at the gas station. Lastly, listeners were encouraged to share their thoughts, feedback, and suggestions for future topics by emailing the show.