10 Stealthy Facts About Ninjas.<br />In honor of International <br />Ninja Day, here are ten facts <br />about the mysterious warriors.<br />1. Ninja were known for <br />their skills in guerrilla warfare, <br />assassination, sabotage, <br />espionage and infiltration.<br />2. Though secretive, ninjas <br />adhered to a strict hierarchy <br />that eventually evolved into <br />larger territorial guilds.<br />3. Ninjas were a hero to the <br />lower classes in Japan, often <br />recruited by those unable to afford <br />the services of the upper-class samurai.<br />4. Because they didn't carry <br />large swards, Ninjas often used <br />whatever was available as a weapon.<br />5. Employing secrecy as a means <br />for survival, ninjas also encouraged <br />exaggerated tales of their exploits <br />as a means of intimidation.<br />6. Ninjas dressed in all black is <br />a modern day conception. Ninjas <br />did their upmost to blend in to the <br />surroundings of their assignments.<br />7. Part of ninja training included <br />an in depth knowledge of various forms <br />of medicines, including a mysterious <br />"black medicine" used to stop bleeding.<br />8. Ninjas used little "smoke <br />bombs" of ash contained in an <br />eggshell to create confusion <br />or misdirect their enemies.<br />9. Female ninjas were common. <br />They often used their hair pins <br />and nail attachments as weapons.<br />10. Ninjas would often carry crickets, <br />inducing them to chirp as a means <br />of covering the sounds of their movement
