TOKYO: A total of 131 aspiring modern-day ninjas gathered in Koka City, in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture, to take part in a ninja certification examination.
The Koka-ryu Ninja Certification, organised by the Koka Ninja Research Association, is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and includes written tests, shuriken-throwing and assessments of ninja attire.
The 18th edition of the examination attracted participants from across Japan and overseas, including Singapore and Hong Kong, with candidates aged between nine and 76.
There were 93 beginner candidates, 28 intermediate candidates and 10 advanced candidates, each of whom completed their respective stages of the assessment.
Beginner candidates were awarded extra marks for wearing ninja costumes and also took part in a shuriken-throwing test, while intermediate candidates sat a more advanced written paper and advanced candidates submitted a separate written report, although details were not disclosed.
Many participants said they were motivated by a long-standing interest in ninja culture and Koka, which is regarded as the birthplace of ninjutsu and is historically linked to the Koga clan, known for their shadow warrior skills more than 500 years ago.
Pass rates stood at 90 per cent for beginners, 70 per cent for intermediate candidates and 55 per cent for advanced candidates, reflecting continued efforts to preserve the tradition through the annual certification process.
