The Tensho Iga War resumes as a way to actively celebrate the history of two ninja towns.
In 1581, the ninth year of the Tensho era, the Iga ninja clan found itself in peril. The Oda army, after multiple failed attempts to subjugate the region, had enlisted the help of a new ally: the Koka, another ninja clan based just to the north of the Iga’s territory. The combined assault by the Oda samurai and Koka ninja proved too powerful to resist. The Iga were subdued, and the Oda clan would soon go on to unify Japan, ending the country’s centuries-long period of civil war.
However, this fall combatants will once again cross swords for the glory of the two ninja clans, and they’ll be doing so at the behest of the mayors of the present-day cities of Iga in Mie Prefecture and neighboring Koka in Shiga Prefecture.
Shinobi Youchi will take place on October 3. Shinobi, of course, is an alternate term to refer to ninja, and Youchi translates as “nighttime battle.” Each city is looking for 50 brave warriors to take up arms as Iga and Koka resume their fight, though with a modern, more good-natured spin.
Instead of actual bloodletting, the fighting will involve foam katana used to strike at targets attached to the shoulders of the participating ninja. Should a fighter land a killing blow, the opponent must give them one of three wooden tokens they start the battle with. These tokens count as points for the clan, and along with other objectives such as sneaking into the enemy’s camp to steal their battle banner or assassinating their commanders, are tallied at the end of the fight to determine the winning side. Mixed in with each team will also be three spies from the opposing forces, working to disrupt the clan from within by cutting down their supposed teammates before their true identities are discovered.
Previous Shinobi Youchi events have taken place in Koka, but this year’s battlefield will be Yono Park in Iga, which sits right on the Iga/Koka border, in keeping with the Koka forces being the invaders. Another new aspect to this year’s Shinobi Youchi is the involvement of the mayors of the two cities plus a prize on the line, as the losing team’s mayor will produce and distribute a promotional video for the winning city celebrating its ninja history, representative cuisine, and other sightseeing attractions.
▼ Iga mayor Toshihisa Inamori declaring “We will pay Iga back for what they did 450 years ago.”
▼ “When night falls, the Koka ninja will have Iga right where we want them,” pledges Koka mayor Yuki Iwanaga.
Despite the serious looks on the mayors’ faces, there’s not really any legitimate bad blood between the people of the two towns today. Even the prize that goes to the winner will most likely be something that benefits both towns, since they’re neighbors and there’s bound to be considerable tourist overflow between them, as they’re both famous for their ninja heritages. So really, this is a way to present the region’s history in a unique, engaging, and entertaining way.
There’s a participation fee of 5,000 yen (US$31) for ninja and spies, and 8,000 yen for commanders (participants must be high-school age or older). You are allowed to bring your own shinobi outfit, but if you don’t have one or yours is at the drycleaners, they’ll also be available to rent for an additional 1,000 yen. The battle itself will consist of two 30-minute stages, with the sides swapping offensive and defensive positions halfway through, but between scouting, strategy conferences, shuriken demonstrations, an award ceremony for ninja who exceptionally distinguish themselves on the field of battle, and a break for tea and rice balls, Shinobi Youchi’s total program runs from 3:30 to 8:45 p.m., and tickets can be applied for online here.
Source, images: PR Times
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