Quails

Techniques of Concealment

Quail eggs are smaller than hens’ eggs, but the shells are tough, they keep well and are nutritious. The ninja appear to have been aware of this, and they believed that quail eggs increased concentration and helped control breathing.

In order to conceal themselves when in the midst of the enemy, the ninja would draw in his arms and legs and roll himself up into a ball.

He would conceal himself face down to hide the white of his face and to avoid being given away by his breathing. This was called “uzura kakure no jutsu”, or the art of concealment like a quail, and as the name suggests, the ninja would attempt to make himself difficult to spot just like a quail egg. Even when the enemy was right in front of him, the ninja would stay relaxed and motionless like a stone. Concealment like a quail egg was the prime concept behind the “four rules of concealment” of the ninja.