" VI " - Ninja way of Life

Ninja way of life + I +

Ninja Eating customs
To succeed in their missions, ninja had to take eating customs into account.
Tobacco was not smoked since its odor could easliy be detected by an enemy. Ninja also refrained from eating leeks, spring onions, and garlic. Nor did ninja eat animal meat since it polluted the blood, making it easier to fall ill. Moreover, eating meat could impair intuition.
Staples were millet, other cereals, and potatoes. Ninja also ate pigeon wheat, brown rice, vegetables, pickled plums, tofu, and miso. Such foods were low in calories, low in fat, and abundant in protein. Ninja tried to keep their weight below 60 kilograms so that they could move lightly and quickly.
Highly nutritious pine nuts were said to sharpen the five senses and rejuvenate the body. Black-colored foods, such as black rice, black soybeans, and black sesame, were among ninja favorites.

Ninja way of life + II +

Emergency rations
Occasionally, in able to accomplish his mission, a ninja would not drink or eat for long periods of time. However, ninja did prepare emergency rations to stem their thirst or hunger.
Hyorogan
Hyorogan was made of ground sesame, brown rice, buckwheat, and dried bonito. Sugar and honey were added and the mixture was kneaded into small balls with sake, steamed, and the dried in the sun. Hyorogan was very high in nutrition, and eating several of these balls would be enough to sustain the body.
Kikatsugari
Carrots, buckwheat flour, yams, pigeon wheat, glutinous rice, and flour were soaked in sake for three years. This mixture was then dried and made into small pieces. This food could temporarily alleviate hunger, and only three pieces a day could relieve tiredness.
Suikatsugan
Suikatsugan was a fine mixture of pickled plum, crystal sugar, and dried fungus. It was said that when a ninja ate some of this, he would not be thirsty for several days.
Polly seed
Polly seed was highly nutritional food that consisted of organic linoleic and amino acids. It was small, easy to carry and maintained a ninja's physical strength.
Pickled plum
Pickled plums or umeboshi are presently a very popular salty food. Pickled plums were indispensable and helped support the harsh life led by ninja with their powers of detoxification, sterilization, and the prevention of tiredness.

Ninja way of life + III +

Sake and Drinking
Ninja did not enjoy drinking. They undertook special training in how not to get drunk on sake. They used medicine that prevented them from getting drunk. The sober ninja then carried out his mission after the enemy was dead drunk. However, there were times when ninja drank sake to warm a cold body or to overcome fear. Sake could also be used as a disinfectant on an injury.

Ninja way of life + IV +

Bathing
Ninja always washed their clothes and bathed to keep their body clean as enemies could detect body odors. Herbal baths eliminated body smells, helped heal wounds, dissolved tiredness, and purified the spirit.
The kakidoushi bath was effective in curing inflammation. Mint and ginger baths improved circulation of blood and were effective in addressing fatigue. The yomogi bath was good for wounds, insect bites, stiff shoulders, and neuralgia.

Ninja way of life + V +

Pharmacology
Iga and Koka ninja were well versed in pharmacology since they were friendly with yamabushi, the ascetics who trained in the mountains where many different types of medicinal herbs could be found. Koka in particular has been a famous center for the production of medicinal herbs ever since olden times.
Ninja collected medicinal herbs in the hills and fields, dried them, and then converted them into powder. Other plants provided chemicals for poison, hallucinogens, dyes, and gunpowder. Senburi was a well-known medicine for stomach-aches. Aconite was a poison that caused paralysis in the limbs and hindered consciousness. Ninja applied this poison to the sharp tips of theirshuriken. Hemp leaves were used as an anesthetic, and the secretions of toads could be used as an antidote for paralysis. Many pharmaceutical companies are now found in Koka and Iga.