Samurai vs Ninja: A Comparison of Histories, Methods, & Values [Updated]

Samurai and ninjas are some of the most popular military figures in popular culture today. Most of us have seen movies, read books, and played video games that contain a samurai or ninja character. 

Fans of Japanese history and culture recognize the importance of samurai and other types of warriors in the country’s history. Japan has a long and complex story including times of both war and peace. Samurai and ninjas played vital roles regardless of the country’s political or social climate.

Samurai and ninjas may be extremely popular historical figures and characters in our media today, but they are also some of the most misunderstood.

Most of us picture samurai wielding perfectly crafted katanas and ninjas sneaking around dressed in head-to-toe black. While these images aren’t wrong, they also tell only part of the story. 

Let’s take a deep dive into the histories, methods, and values of samurai and ninjas to determine the truth about each group of warriors and understand their similarities and differences. 

We will begin by providing an overview of samurai history and the evolution of the samurai class throughout the centuries. Because we have covered samurai in other articles, their history is kept brief. 

A more thorough look into the history of ninjas is included. Areas of speculation are discussed to avoid confusion between what is fact and what is fiction. 

Special emphasis is given to the codes of honor and philosophies of samurai and ninjas, since this is one of the major differences between the two groups. 

Finally, we wrap up our discussion of samurai vs ninjas by providing a summary of their similarities and differences. 

The History of Samurai in Japan  

The Establishment of Samurai 

Samurai have been part of Japanese history and culture since ancient times. The samurai class that rose to power in medieval times is thought to have originated from the ancient uji clans of early Japanese history. 

Yamato rulers gained power in Japan and  introduced the Taika Reforms in 646 AD. These reforms aimed to organize Japan. The first capital city was established in Nara in 710, where Buddhist philosophy flourished.

Kyoto would become the next capital city in 894, but Buddhism would continue to gain popularity and become an essential component of medieval Japanese culture.

The new government introduced methods of defense modeled after those of China. They would fail to keep the Japanese government and its people safe, however, and a new method would need to be introduced.

Economic instability and widespread starvation during in the 900s incited mass violence and uprising in the many provinces of Japan. Leaders in the capital had no choice but to grant provincial governors the right to levy their own armies. 

This establishment of small regional armies led to the organization of the medieval samurai class. 

Samurai of the 10th-14th Centuries

The term “samurai” first appeared in the 10th century. The role of samurai was originally limited to guard duty at the capital and evolved during the 900s to include any soldier that served a landlord.

Many samurai descended from the uji clans of pre-Taika Japan and others became samurai by establishing solid reputations for themselves and getting hired by those in power. 

Samurai maintained their status as guards and provincial soldiers until the Genpei War of 1180. This war established samurai culture in Japan and created the samurai class that would be dominant in Japan until the mid 1800s. 

The Genpei War was fought between the Minamoto and Taira clans; rivals who battled for absolute power over Japan. While the Genpei War was a violent event in 12th century history, it was also the first time many aspects of samurai culture were displayed.

Hand to hand combat, archery, loyalty, and ritual suicide were as much a part of the Genpei War as they would be for centuries to come. Despite the bloodshed of war, art and poetry of the samurai class also became popularized.

The Minamoto clan won the Genpei War and the leader Minamoto Yoritomo declared himself shogun in 1192. This role effectively made Yorimoto the military dictator of Japan and reduced the emperor to a religious figurehead with no true political power. 

Yorimoto also stipulated that the shogunate be hereditary. Only those of the Minamoto clan could assume the power of shogun. This permanent claim was not relinquished until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. 

The Minamoto clan was eventually overthrown by the Hōjō clan, who did respect the Minamoto’s hereditary claim to the shogunate. The Hōjō instead ruled Japan as regents.

The Ashikaga was the next clan to gain the title of shogunate after overthrowing the Hōjō. The Ashikaga was descended from the Minamoto and therefore had a legitimate claim to the shogunate. The Ashikaga ruled Japan for the next 200 years.

Samurai and the Warring States Period 

The Warring States period of Japanese history was one of its most turbulent. This century and a half of near constant fighting between samurai clans opened with the Onin War of 1467-1476. 

The Onin War is considered by many historians to be a turning point in samurai history, when clans battled for ultimate power and established many of the aspects of samurai culture that would come to define Japan. 

The capital city of Kyoto was destroyed during the Onin War and the struggle for the title of shogunate led to constant fighting long after the war ended. 

Leaders of the samurai clans were called daimyo. The most famous among Warring States period daimyo included Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin, and Date Masamune.

Samurai leaders established large armies of ashigaru, or foot soldiers to defend their territory. These soldiers used bows, long spears, and firearms. Samurai of higher status wielded katana and wakizashi blades.

The struggle for power between samurai clans during the Warring States period continued until Oda Nobunaga became the first to occupy Kyoto and abolish the shogunate. 

His successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi finished what Nobunaga started by asserting his political and military authority over Japan and reunifying the country. 

The samurai class maintained its power over Japan until 1868, when the Tokugawa shogunate relinquished its power to the Meiji government. 

The History of Ninjas in Japan 

The history of ninjas in Japan is one shrouded with myth and exaggeration. Some experts are adamant that ninjas as we know them never actually existed, while others believe that professional and organized schools of ninjas did live and work in the Japan. 

We will discuss the history of ninjas as described in a few sources linked through this section. Keep in mind that much of this information is speculative, and that aspects of the true history of ninjas may never be known due to their secretive and elusive practices. 

The Origins of Ninjas in Japan

The ninja, or shinobi, was a military professional hired for secret intelligence gathering, assassinations, and other covert operations. 

Most ninjas originated from lower social classes of Japanese society and used what many (especially samurai) considered to be underhanded and dishonorable methods. 

The physical, mental, and spiritual traditions of the ninja are thought to have derived from Chinese tactics. Chinese invaders in Japan introduced the people to covert operation methods. Chinese pirates used ninja-like marital arts and diversion techniques.

Some ninjas are believed to have come to Japan from China directly as refugees after the collapse of the Tang Dynasty. These refugees settled in the mountainous and remote Iga and Koga regions of Japan. 

It was in these locations that ninja groups were free enough from the influence of mainstream politics and culture to focus on esoteric and physical systems that would come to define the work and practices of ninjas. 

Still other experts believe that ninja practices were inspired by by Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, which was written in the 8th century BC in China.

Roles of the Ninja

Regardless of the true origin of ninjas, they became important to Japan’s politics, and culture in the medieval period. By the 12th century, shinobi, or ninja methods were in widespread use within military operations. 

Ninjas proved essential in the many samurai clan conflicts of the Warring States period. 

While the samurai generally looked down upon what they perceived as dishonorable practices performed by ninjas, they readily hired ninjas to perform assassinations, espionage, and diversions that they themselves would not do.

Ninjas were also hired as mercenaries, scouts, surprise attackers, and agitators.

Oftentimes, ninjas worked as castle infiltrators and arsonists. Ninjas used their stealth to sneak into castles and create diversions like fires. 

Ninjas oftentimes used disguises to complete missions and dispatch opponents. 

Most ninjas therefore relied on employment opportunities from samurai and other high class individuals. While ninjas proved their worth as paid military professionals, they were largely mistrusted when not under the employment of the samurai and other groups. 

This mistrust was coupled with fascination. Legends dating to the 15th-17th centuries claimed that ninjas could perform magic and even fly.

Becoming a Ninja

According to some experts, ninja families living in the Iga and Koga regions organized into schools and secretive organizations. Ninja schools were called Ryu and are thought to have been founded by a brother of a samurai warrior who became a fugitive. 

The number of ninja schools in the Iga and Koga regions is widely speculated, as is much of the rest of ninja history. However, between 70 and 200 schools may have existed in these areas. 

Ninjas learned a set of practices called ninjutsu. This body of knowledge is discussed in more detail in the next section.

Becoming a ninja and maintaining a ninja’s skills was a lifelong pursuit that began in childhood. Children of ninjas learned to leap, run, and balance while they played.

Teenagers learned combat techniques, martial arts, and psychological tactics that they would continue to hone throughout their lives. 

According to some, ninjas organized themselves into groups that were led by a jonin. This elusive leader’s identity was kept a secret from lower-level operatives. 

The second tier of ninjas were allegedly called chunin, and were the executive officers who protected the jonin’s identity, ran logistics, and motivated lower level ninjas. 

The final class of ninjas were the genin operatives. These were ninja field agents who did the actual work of espionage, assassination, and other actions. 

Bushido vs Ninjutsu: Conflicting Codes of Conduct   

Both samurai and ninjas operated based on certain philosophies and codes of conduct. The contrasts between the samurai and ninja codes of conduct are one of the main differences between the two military groups. 

Although the histories and purposes of samurai and ninjas are unique, the topic of values and morals is perhaps the key factor in understanding the differences between why and how the samurai and ninjas operated. 

Bushido: The Way of the Warrior

Japanese samurai operated based on a strict code of conduct called bushido, or the Way of the Warrior. This code evolved over time, but the values espoused within it remained the same for many centuries. 

The following values were held in high esteem by samurai and guided the way they interacted both in battle and in everyday life: 

Jin (Mercy): A samurai’s power over life and death should be exercised with discretion.

Makoto (Honesty): A samurai should be truthful in word and deed and keep his promises to his lord.

Chungi (Loyalty): A samurai places his lord’s interests over his own.

Meiyo (Reputation): A samurai maintains an honorable reputation, because his actions reflect back on his lord.

Yu (Courage): A samurai is brave in battle and in everyday choices and interactions. 

Rei (Respect): A samurai treats everyone with respect, even those of lower status. 

Ninjutsu

Ninja skills are broadly known as ninjutsu. These skills included physical combat, intelligence gathering, psychological warfare, and mystical powers. 

The physical aspects of ninjutsu are thought to have developed for self defense. The mysticism of early ninja families was allegedly a target of the Japanese government, and families are thought to have developed martial arts and covert tactics to protect themselves from religious persecution. 

Over time, the military capabilities of a ninja gained precedence over more mystical capabilities. This enabled ninjas to be more readily hired by wealthy clients. 

Ninjutsu involves two major bodies of knowledge: hei-ho, or combat strategy and bu-jutsu, or warrior arts. Different families are thought to have emphasized different skills, such as martial arts, mental alertness, and political connections.

Ninjutsu emphasized the maintenance of natural balance and harmony in the world, even at risk of dishonor. Ninjas therefore made choices that the samurai never would. 

While ninjutsu is a complex collection of skills, the following were areas of learning that all ninjas are thought to have learned: 

Ki-ai: personal harmony with the total scheme of things, a ninja is under control and has a balanced personality

Ken-po: unarmed fighting tactics, knowledge of the body’s weaknesses

Yari-jutsu: spear and lance fighting used for direct thrusts and a medium range

Shuriken-jutsu: use of throwing blades at long distances

Ka-jutsu: use of fire and explosives for diversions, evacuations and taking down walls and doors. Ninjas may have learned to make explosives themselves.

Yu-gei: cultural arts like painting, tea ceremony, flower arranging, musical instruments, storytelling, and dancing

Kyo-mon: practical education consisting of common sense, hands-on learning

Summary of Similarities & Differences Between Samurai & Ninjas 

While samurai and ninjas were both groups of military professionals, each had its own social status, set of values, and purpose within Japanese society. 

The following is an overview of the key similarities and differences between samurai and ninjas discussed in more detail in the sections above. 

Samurai & Ninja Similarities

Samurai and ninjas were both groups of military professionals. They both worked through Japanese history, but were especially active during the Warring States period. 

Both samurai and ninjas fought with swords. Samurai used katanas and wakizashi swords, while ninjas utilized shorter and straighter swords as primary weapons. 

Both samurai and ninjas worked together to accomplish their goals. Samurai had more prestige in society and hired ninjas as mercenaries and spies. 

Ninjas and the samurai had ancient origins in Japanese history and maintained their influence in society for many centuries. 

Samurai learned their skills in schools and through their families. Ninjas are also thought to have been educated in schools and through interactions with other ninjas. 

Both groups of military professionals came from generations of fighters and philosophers. Samurai clan daimyo and shoguns descended from each other and clans fought based on familial ties. Ninjas may have operated in families and young ninjas learned their skills from close relatives. 

Ninjas and samurai also contributed to and participated in elements of Japanese arts and culture like painting, poetry, storytelling, the tea ceremony, and more. 

Samurai & Ninja Differences 

Samurai and ninjas share many similarities, but also several key differences that distinguish one from the other. One of the most important differences between the two types of warriors is their code of conduct and value systems.

Samurai were led by the bushido honor code and, in theory, did not stray from the code in war and everyday life. Of course people are not perfect, and many samurai did not follow the code perfectly. However, the military tactics of the samurai were based on the code. 

Samurai were known for their sense of right and wrong and their emphasis on honor. Samurai who proved dishonorable would actually commit ritual suicide rather than live with the dishonor. 

In contrast, ninjas lived by the ninjutsu, which was a broad category of physical and mental attributes that guided their actions and methods.  An emphasis was placed on balance and harmony rather than strict right and wrong, meaning that a ninja could perform an act deemed dishonorable by samurai, but perfectly fine by ninja standards. 

Unlike ninjas, the samurai enjoyed high levels of power in Japanese society and maintained that power and prestige through wars and the accumulation of wealth. 

Because the shogun had ultimate power in society, samurai values and interests became dominant in mainstream culture. 

Ninjas came from the lower classes and did not enjoy as much power in society. While fascinating to many, ninjas were not widely trusted and had to rely on employment from more powerful groups, such as the samurai. 

Their ideas of mysticism were less mainstream than those of the samurai. 

Samurai used military tactics that involved large armies. They fought on foot and on horseback in suits of armor. Samurai fought only using methods they deemed honorable. 

Ninjas were hired by samurai to perform less than honorable tasks like espionage, arson, and other covert operations. They worked by being secretive and stealthy and wore dark and simple clothing when performing their designated tasks.