Shinobi no Mono

Lore & Background

Set during Japan's Sengoku period, the novels depict Goemon Ishikawa, a famous outlaw hero who was boiled alive at the end of the 16th century by order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, as a ninja who fought against samurai warlords. The first three films are based on the novel, while the five subsequent films are based on three original screenplays by Hajime Takaiwa and one original screenplay by Kinya Naoi.

Reader's Guide

The Shinobi no Mono series is significant as a foundational work in popularizing the ninja figure in modern Japanese media. The novels, serialized in a newspaper, reached a broad audience and were quickly adapted into a successful film series starring Raizo Ichikawa, whose portrayal became iconic. The films, produced by Daiei, helped establish the ninja as a dramatic protagonist in jidaigeki cinema. Following Ichikawa's death in 1969, Daiei attempted to continue the series with a ninth film, Shinobi no Shū, starring Hiroki Matsukata. The television adaptation, co-produced by Toei and NET, ran for 52 episodes, though only the first episode survives. The series' legacy endures through its influence on later ninja narratives and its preservation in film archives.

Did You Know?

• The film series starred Raizo Ichikawa and consisted of eight films released between 1962 and 1966.
• Contrary to some claims, several episodes of the 52-episode television series survive, not just the first.
• The series ended with the eighth film in 1966; no ninth film was produced or attempted after Ichikawa's death.