Cool Japan: Ninja and Blades

 ■ Cool Japan: Ninja and Blades

The “Ninja” episode from NHK’s Cool Japan

I have taken a friend from overseas to the Ninja Restaurant in Akasaka. Ninja have been revisited as something cool that can be used to attract international tourists. They are strong, cool and mysterious. This is a theme that I have proposed. 

Ninja Events

The Japan Ninja Council was formed in 2015 in an attempt to raise the profile of ninja, bringing together a group that originally viewed each other as rivals. Five prefectures with links to ninja joined forces with the cities of Iga and Koka to publicize themselves around the world. I have also been involved.

Ninja training

The number of international visitors to the Ninja Museum of Igaryu in Iga City has increased five-fold in ten years. Tourism strategies that go beyond offering beautiful sites to see and delicious food to eat, and offer experiences — such as hard-core ninja training — are becoming more important.

Ninja manga

Ninja are more than mere fictional heroes. They are a historical fact. This is why manga about ninja are not just about fighting, but have a depth that derives from their historical context and their humanity. It is a broad genre. There are serious works, such as The Legend of Kamui, and more enjoyable works, such as Nintama Rantaro. Make sure you read them!

The “Blades” episode 

When I go overseas dressed in Japanese clothing I am often asked by immigration officials if I am carrying a sword. I often wonder how they thought I had managed to board a plane with a sword, but it illustrates how the image of Japan is intimately linked to swords. Recently, Japanese blades — ranging from chef’s knives to nail clippers — have become a mainstay of the souvenir trade. I wonder why this is the case?

The diversity of Japanese chef’s knives

These knives cut beautifully. Japanese cuisine values beauty, but not just in terms of appearance. Sashimi that is sliced beautifully has not had its cell structure crushed, making the food more delicious. There are many ways to cut vegetables and fillet fish, and a whole range of knives have evolved that can cut beautifully in line with materials and the dish involved. 

The mysterious religious rites for chef’s knives

There is a unique way of thinking in Japan that objects have a spirit. This is especially the case for objects such as knives, which are worn in with use over many years, to the extent they almost feel like an extension of the body.

The genius of leading scissor artisans

Surgeons rely upon the skills of artisans who spend fifteen years patiently perfecting their technique. These artisans do not ask for public recognition, but are content to be valued by doctors. Nevertheless, becoming an artisan is one of the most popular professions children want to become when they grow up. The value of making something with one’s hands has been recognized.

A German blade company manufacturing in Japan

Smelting, smithing and sharpening metal to create a blade that is almost a work of art is a profession underpinned by Japanese stoicism. With international collaboration on marketing and sales, this could be harnessed to create things beyond just blades. 

While blades themselves may be lifeless, they are recognized internationally for their overall connection to a range of things, such as food culture, the artisan spirit and technical prowess. We should value this.