NINJA TRUTH — Season 1, Episode 5: Ninja Fire Arts

Episode synopsis

The ninja are said to have been proficient in the use of gunpowder long before guns were brought to Japan, and to have invented over 230 uses for it. In this episode, we'll introduce the toribikata, a weapon similar to a flamethrower that was used to fend off several attackers at once, and the hyakuraijyu, which created chaos by emitting a noise similar to a volley of gunshots. We'll also recreate the grenade-like hourokuhiya to determine its strength, and the daikokuhiya, a weapon frequently mentioned in the ninja training text Bansenshukai, to learn about how it was actually used.

About NINJA TRUTH

Ninja are now seen in popular media around the world. But as their profile rises, their reality gets muddied amid legends and fantasies. The truth about authentic ninja lies unknown, shrouded in mystery. This program carefully examines the fighting skills and tools used by actual ninja, and conducts experiments to determine the "Ninja Truth".

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Episode 1
• E2Episode 2
• E3Shuriken
• E4Ninja Yashiki
• E6Concealed Weapons and Hyorogan
• E7In Search of the Kunoichi, the Female Ninja
• E8Extraordinary Ninja Tools: Kunai and Ikibukuro
• E9Shinobi Rokugu: The Six Essential Tools of the Ninja
• E10Poison and Medicine: The Ninja's Double-Sided Coin
• E11Innin and Yonin: The Yin and Yang of the Ninja
• E12Physical Abilities of the Ninja
• E13Ninja Mnemonics