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.

Katayaki – hard-baked rice crackers

These hard-backed crackers were made from ingredients such as brown rice flour, and they are so hard that people nowadays find them practically inedible. These rice crackers have to be broken up using a mallet, and they remain a well-known specialty of the town of Iga. If you’ve become too used to eating just soft foods, then you should give them a try.

[Katayaki]

Sunflower seeds help keep up your strength

Sunflower seeds are highly nutritious, and contain organic acids such as linoleic and amino acid. Being small and light, nuts and seeds were ideal for the ninja to carry around. The excellent oil content also helps maintain physical strength.

[Sunflower seeds]

A sour experience? Umeboshi

Umeboshi, or pickled plums, remain a highly popular alkaline food, and you may have noticed that they are an ever-present feature of meals in Japan.

They were also one of the ninja’s most essential foods. They are made by washing ripened Japanese plums, pickling in salt for two to three days to remove the water, and then drying in the sun. At sunset they are put back in brine and the process repeated several times until there is no more brine left and the plums are dry. As umeboshi helped counteract poison, had sterilizing properties and prevented fatigue, they were ideal for the hard way of life of the ninja.

[Diet Umeboshi]

The fructose contained in persimmons is rapidly converted into nourishment for the brain, and so are excellent when making decisions in emergencies. They are in addition high in nutritional value and help relieve fatigue. Since dried persimmons keep well and can be carried around easily, they were absolutely ideal for the ninja. Persimmon trees are common in Yamanashi, and according to one tradition this is because Takeda Shingen, a great general of the 16th century, made the people plant the persimmon trees in preparation for war. Shingen too seems to have known of the useful properties of persimmon, but perhaps this is unsurprising if one also considers that a group of ninja were among his forces.

Salted persimmons

1. Slice dried persimmon in half and remove the seeds.
2. Cover with a small amount of salt, put the two halves together again and tie together.
3. The persimmon can then be stored in a jar for years without drying out, being eaten by insects or going off.

Salted persimmons are suitable for emergencies or as a “convenience” food.

[Persimmons]

[Salted persimmons]