Who exactly were the Japanese ninjas? Forget the legends in the films, we delve into the true history of the mythic spies and shadow warriors. Discover where ninjas first emerged, what they actually did (hint: it doesn't involve throwing stars!), and how they shaped Japan's history through espionage, sabotage, and survival. We'll also look at how the ninja legacy lives on to this day — from ninja schools and ninja tourism in Japan, to anime, cosplay, and Hollywood.