[BlKnight]

They are nothign like it. Taking it from a person who knows alot about oriental japan. The original ninjas were samurai who refused to commit sekupu after a duel. They had to escape to the mountains. There, where there are no stores no civilization they formed the art of ninjutsu. The word basicly is something to the extent of preserving mind and body to overcome hardships or somethign very clsoe to that. It was a very extreme martial art. Later, the art of ninjitsu was invented, which was about stealth. Ever see a real ninjitsu manual? It takes about taking out taking out sentries and the modern ones show how to get out of a situation where police are trying to handcuff you or how to clean up messes after you shoot someone. Basicly ninjas are exactly like assassins except for the area they were in and the art they studied. After doing such dishonour (refusing to commit suicide after a duel, or being related to someone who didn't, or having a master who didn't) it was no problem using dishonourable arts such as stealth or such dishonourable thinsga s killing for money. Sorry for the lesson here.

(My sources: reading The Book Of Five Rings, Secrets Of Fuedal Japan, My Way Of Life by Gichin Funakoshi, biograpghy of Hanzo Harrotari. watching the foremost ninjutsu (I doubt "ninjitsu" is still taught properly) expert in the world on television. speaking with someone really into this stuff. so you can't say you knwo more than me hehe)