It’s October, and every year at least a few kids dress up as ninja for Halloween. Several years ago, on a trip to Japan, our family visited the Ninja Museum of Iga-ryu. I learned that true Japanese ninja were nothing like the image we have of them in the U.S. I was especially interested to find out that ninja were vegetarians!
Japanese ninja historically engaged in espionage and strategy. In other words, they spied on and figured out ways to weaken or outmaneuver the enemy. They often traveled disguised as farmers and were legendary at not being detected as they went about their secret missions.
The Ninja Museum describes secret ways ninja communicated, such as codes using colored grains of rice, or ropes tied in certain configurations in trees. Their homes even had secret panels and passageways to facilitate hiding and escape.
While ninja were strong and skilled at combat, physical force was considered a last resort and the lowest form of fighting. Avoiding wars by outsmarting the enemy using intimidation, intelligence gathering or spreading false information was preferable.
Like many elite athletes today, it is said ninja were very careful about their diets. But do you know why ninja were vegetarians? Their diet of rice, vegetables, sesame and soybean products (such as tofu) helped them do their work in various ways:
- Kept them small and lightweight so they could move quickly and hide in small spaces.
- Gave them energy without being weighted down with heavy food.
- Reduced body odor to avoid discovery while on spy missions. Ninja also did not eat strong smelling foods such as garlic, onion or leeks to avoid bad breath.
These advantages of a vegetarian (or vegan) diet are relevant for us today. We can all eat like ninja! Enjoy this video by our friend Dr. Greger about the (negative) effect of meat eating on body odor. Here is another describing how participants experienced greater vitality, productivity and better mood after changing to a plant-based diet.
Research consistently shows markedly lower BMI measurements for vegans and vegetarians compared to meat eaters (see here, and here).
So whether you want to lose weight, have more energy, smell better, or just sneak up on someone, try a ninja diet! Beans, rice and vegetables – its and unbeatable combination (for centuries!).
Q&A
Q: Ninja were vegetarians? Why?
A: Their vegetarian diet kept them small and lightweight so they could move quickly and hide in small spaces, gave them energy without being weighted down with heavy food, and reduced body odor to avoid discovery while on spy missions.
Q: What did Ninja eat?
A: Ninja ate mainly rice, vegetables, sesame and soybean products such as tofu. You can learn more about ninja food here.
Q: What does that have to do with me?
A: A ninja diet of beans, rice and vegetables can help modern humans lose weight, have more energy and reduce body odor. PS: this type of diet is also better for our environment. See more here.
Q: How can I visit the Ninja Museum?
A: The Iga-ryu Nija Museum is in a remote mountain area, but accessible by train. It is a 10 minute walk from the Uenoshi Station on the Iga Line. This article and this article have more information.
