Were they free lance operators like Zorro, for hire like the A-team, retainers of those in power like James Bond or were they a political entity in their own right?

Was it a secret occupation; did they have to keep a day job or a cover of some sort or were there areas where they could wear their black jumpsuits with pride?

Finally was it an honorable occupation or was it available only to those who were outside the bounds of the Bushido code?

Were they free lance operators like Zorro, for hire like the A-team, retainers of those in power like James Bond or were they a political entity in their own right?

Was it a secret occupation; did they have to keep a day job or a cover of some sort or were there areas where they could wear their black jumpsuits with pride?

Finally was it an honorable occupation or was it available only to those who were outside the bounds of the Bushido code?
Iirc they were entirely outside Bushido. They were "castless", members of the "eta", the lowest of the low. (Extremely sh!tty karma.) That's why they were useful. They could... dispose... of people using means unthinkable to an honourable samurai, so that's why they were hired.

It was also a family profession. For some reason they clustered together in mainly two provinces, Koga and Iga, with at least 25 known ninja-centres during the 13th c. (the Kamakura period). If they could walk anywhere openly in broad daylight these would be the places.

And they were for hire as mercenaries, but never played politics on their own. Though they were so entrenched in the imperial capital of Kyoto they were reputed to virtually rule the streets by night. They were around for a long time too, being reported since the 6th c.

This quickly culled from Oscar Ratti's old classic "Secrets of the Samurai".:)

Right, but they did had some sort of code though?

What about the legend of the white ninja?

Thanks Verbose, that was concise and complete.

Also because of fighting not after the Bushido, openly like warriors, but sneaky in the night, they were hated by the Samurai. Ninjas in the old way existed until the Meiji revolution. One of the last missions of them, so it is said, was to spy out that US captain coming to Japan demanding the opening of the country. That ninja even managed to go into his cabin on the ship. And returned successfully.

Adler

What about the legend of the white ninja?
There is no white ninja, that would be non politically correct. At best, you could speak of uncolored ninja.

Ninja were trained, among other, to be stealthy. So why wouldn't they were white clothes for winter mission? Snow is not that uncommon in Japan, is it?

There is no white ninja, that would be non politically correct. At best, you could speak of uncolored ninja.

Ninja were trained, among other, to be stealthy. So why wouldn't they were white clothes for winter mission? Snow is not that uncommon in Japan, is it?
The Ninja would do what it took, and wear whatever was required.

Even... brown...:mischief:

Like in the murder of a powerful lord where one of them hid for weeks in the castle sewer until he got the opportunity to use the spear he had brought along as the great man was taking a dump.:crazyeye::cringe:

Right, but they did had some sort of code though?

What about the legend of the white ninja?
Serioulsy, what is the legend of the white Ninja? You're going to have to tell it to us, I think.:)

IIRC, the ninja that was on Cobra's side in GI joe was white.
Yeeek has probably watch to much TV when he was a toddler ;)
Well, I did anyway :sad:

The White Ninja, so skillfull in the art of stealth, that even with a white outfit he couldn't be seen. Its a nippon fairy tale though.. Much like the Dark Knight in western fantasy stories.

Well, with Edvard, Prince of Wales there was a historical person. But I dunno the Japanese tales.

Adler