What are the 3 differences between Samurai & Ninja? Who is STRONGER; Bushi or Shinobi?
I’ve been making quite a lot of “what is the difference between” series, but realized that I have missed out on the all-time classic “what is the difference between samurai and ninja.”
There are already quite a lot of videos on this topic, but through my comments and Instagram, many people told me that they would love to hear about my version of their differences.
I’m so grateful for the requests, so here it goes.
There are some Japanese people too who don’t really understand the difference between samurai and ninja.
But trust me, they are completely different.
So today, as a katana sword trainee in Kyoto, I will explain the three main differences that I think are most important between samurai and ninja.
At the end of this video, I would like to also talk about my opinions on the classic question, “Which is stronger, samurai or ninja?”!
[Time codes]
0:00 Let's START!
1:39 The differences between “Samurai” & “Ninja”
1:59 1. Their history and roles in society
5:15 2. Their skills
6:49 3. Their beliefs
9:04 Samurai VS Ninja; who would win?
12:34 Today’s conclusion
15:00 “Omake” talk
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I’m Shogo, a Kyoto born & Hiroshima raised Japanese, that grew up in Michigan USA for 6 years, and studied Mandarin in Beijing university for a year!
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#samuraininja #ninjasamurai #samuraivsninjawhowillwin #bushi #shinobi
The more I study about ninja, the more I'm getting interested! I'm hoping to make more videos about them... especially about their weapons! What would you like to learn more about ninja? ・ In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips upon traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content! Please check out the description box for more videos recommended for you! Thank you again very much for watching!
Have u watched anthony cummins vidoes on ninja an samurai
Do they really use those smoke bombs to disappear or make a quick getaway?
I would like to learn more about Shugendo 🙏 Their enlightenment techniques 🌿 Arigato gozaimasu Shogo 🙏🌺
Seshya ninjya Mike D de gozaimasu. Bujinkan dojo wakarimas ka? Sensei Masaki Hatsumi is the 34 grandmaster ninjya of the Togakure Ryu. You will learn everything from that school. I believe he is from Chiba prefecture.
Can you please make a video about nin-jyutsu. By the way interesting video
Projectiles? No. The ninja would win because they'd just poison the samurai in their sleep before any fight starts.
Sun Tzu approves. Fights are won before it starts.
Yup. 1v1 samurai wins every time. Ninja only wins before the fight even starts.
@@xrfy5653 exactly
The truth is ninjas were also samurai as well.ninjitsu was a ocupaticioal skill set.
As a longtime member of the Bujinkan, and Student of ninja two as well as samurai bugei, following traditions that are a part of the Bujinkan, as well as many systems that are outside and are part of different ryuha, I can assure you that yes, the ninja would use projectiles in conjunction with other tactics to wear down a samurai physically and emotionally, possibly even striking fear into his heart prior to engaging in close combat. During close combat, they were many tactics to hide and conceal what they were actually going to do with their sword, so even their style of Kenjitsu II had an element of stealth to it. From a summary perspective, they would simply Khaled dirty unfair tactics. This is because the ninja believed in winning at all costs versus the summary who followed a strict code of what was honorable in combat. The ninja approached combat for an unconventional warfare point of view. You are correct when you mention poisons because there were many poisons that were powerful hallucinogens and could potentially aid in destabilizing a samurais focus and emotional balance. In short, you’re correct in mentioning poisons but incorrect in stating that projectiles were not used. They most definitely were and in fact projectiles were the fastest and easiest way to deliver the poisons.
Gintama gets another win with Shogo being a fan xD
2am: Time to sleep Shogo uploads: I can spare 20 mins
I think you really have it right: a well-trained ninja, with the right conditions (ambush in the dark from a distance) would of course have the advantage over a samurai, but a well trained samurai with advantageous conditions (open area, clear view of opponent) would have a clear advantage over the ninja. It’s like putting an assassin against a solider: either one could win if they had more control over the engagement.
Well said
Yeh, but in a random confrontation where none had time to prepare and on a neutral battlefield; the samurai wins almost everytime.
@@janmorganfroynes5032 Yeah, but then the ninja would not be doing their job right, especially if the Samurai expects the fight. Still, I agree with you.
One has to imagine that: much like modern spies, a ninja's primary skill might be something totally mundane designed to maintain their cover. The guy who's job it was to clean out latrines might not be much of a combatant, but if you need someone who can get in anywhere without people noticing, there you go. I seem to recall: the reason that stereotypical ninja outfit comes from Kabuki, it was the outfit of the people who moved the set pieces and props around between scenes.
Yes!! The channel is growing😊😊
Indeed it is ☺️
Yeah but the views are low, it's weird. I mean 80k subs, but in terms of % very very very low views.
To my understanding a basic difference is that both would be ashamed by the boss asking What happened on your mission? The samurai because word of their deeds should have already reached the boss The ninja because it means that the boss already knows exactly what happened. Bith would be upset. The ninja would be afraid.
Thanks Shogo! Your analysis on who would win is pretty accurate. There are too many factors involved to decide a real winner. “You can only fight the way you practice” ― Miyamoto Musashi, Book of Five Rings
I'm so glad I found this channel! I've been bingeing the videos and I'm scared I'm going to run out soon 😭😂
I laughed and thought your answer was a "cop out" at first, but then you explained three factors that would determine who would win. It was a fair analysis! On a side note, my favorite anime is Hyouka. I enjoy simple slice of life shows like that :)
Saying that samurai and 'ninja' (if thats what you wanna call them...) were very different is a misnomer because many shinobi WERE samurai. If you were a samurai with a particular skill set you would most likely be called upon by your lord to use said skills. Also the 'honor code' of the samurai is exaggerated, particularly if you look at the sengoku period (slightly different in later periods but still exaggerated, much like the modern take on chivalry)
Indeed, I have to agree. The historical record however, shady(no pun intended), indicates that very much so. Antony Cummins and his Historical Ninja Research Team has undoubtedly verified that. The Samurai was a class; the Ninja or more accurately Shinobi-no-mono, was a person with a certain skill set. Many were from the ranks of the Samurai. Ninja were spies, saboteurs, with skills in guerilla warfare. Anyone could be a Ninja if they practiced and utilized those particular skills. Jason Bourne is a great example of an equivalent of a modern day ninja.
Yes, I was a little disappointed hearing how Shogo propagates this myth, hope he will correct himself in future videos
100% agree with you
I love the illustrations, they are so charming, and complement the simple but informative lessons you provide very well.
I always enjoy watching and learning from your channel. Thanks
I'd love a video about Hattori Hanzō. Also, love your channel!
...i was researching/refreshing my edo period / ninja knowledge for some gintama discourse and i actually didnt expect shogo-san to talk about gintama here lol. im a 2021 gintama fan, fairly new. Your content has helped a lot. Thank you. My favorite gintama character is otae because she's such a badass and naginatas are very cool.
The illustrations are so cute and fun! I love it! 🤩 I really like this topic too!
You're videos are great! I highly enjoy them as well as learn something new every time I watch one. Thank you for your informative detailed videos I very much enjoy them. I love samurai and ninja so yeah very cool!
Good video. I enjoy the comparison of the history and role of each. Idea for future video, as a katana trainee could you go over the parts of a katana and how to properly care for one?
I'm a new subscriber on your channel and Gintama is what brings me to your here!! Thank you for all details explained and the clarification between samurais and ninjas that was awesome 😎
Your videos are very informative. And your animations are awesome😊
Just found your channel, awesome!!!! Ive been watching for 2hrs straight. Keep up the good wotk.
Nice video, Shogo this is my second video I watch from your channel, and I enjoyed it, greetings from Egypt 🇪🇬♥️🇯🇵
First time watching your channel. Awesome pacing and delivery. Super informative and awesome topics. That’s a sub from me! 👍🏾
I learned a lot from this video, and your video about Ninja vs Shinobi. Inspired to learn more about these guys because of my Izumi Samurai from Heroscape
Thank you for your video. A very fun and informative video. I made my kids watch this video before visiting Samurai and Ninja Museums in Kyoto so they know the basic background of the two.
Thank you so much for you videos Shogo
I’m a huge fan of Gintama, sadly, I never finished watching the manga, I need to do that, but life keeps getting in the way, but I will one of these days, Gin and Kondo were always my two favorite characters, and finding out that the same actor who played Gin also played Joseph Joestar in Part II of Jojo made me very happy.
There are some known shinobi no mono from history, and that all of them were samurai. Samurai were a caste, ninja was a job description. They definitely weren't mutuallly exclusive at all. Probably there were non-samurai ninja too, but none are known. Therefore: one on one, the shinobi no mono would win, because he - as being a samurai himself - would know how samurai fight, yet the non-ninja samurai would not know what the techniques of the ninja were. Of course, if the non-shinobi samurai is way more skilled in combat, he would probably still prevail. But if they are on a somewhat equal level, the non-shinobi samurai will have a very hard time. "Evidence of ninja being villains fighting manorialism"? That's the first thing I've ever heard about this. On the first glance it goes against anything that I've heard of modern day historians' findings about ninja. It looks as if this would be one of the many myths about ninja that sill prevail today. You should imagine this: according to folk lore, ninja were peasants. Do you have any idea how horribly busy the lives of farmers were in those days? They didn't have the time or opportunity to become the skilled specialists they needed to be in order to be a shinobi no mono. So yes, of course there were peasant revolts against the daimyō throughout the ages. But "ninja revolts"? I never heard of any of those. Book tip: Dr. Kacem Zoughari, Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan (The Secret History of Ninjutsu). Dr. Kacem Zoughari is a phD in Japanese history who even taught history at the Kyōto daigaku for a while. This book is a short version of his master's thesis on the topic of ninja. Mind you, there are some translation fumbles in the book. He wrote it in French - as Kacem is French and he mastered at a university in Paris - and the publisher translated it to English. Kacem hardly had any saying on the translation, unfortunately. But the historical facts remain.
Although not all peasants are farmers if I remember. Some Ninjas are Samurais and normal folks. But normal folks tend to have backup supporting them for their training.
Nice history story :) Thank you sir.
100k subs.... you are in a gooooooood why. Greetings from Sardinia, we love your Channel.
To expand on my previous comment, as a longtime member of the Bujinkan, It was widely excepted that he ninja would not want to go into a fair fight sword on sword with a samurai, even the ninja who carried traditional katana and trained regularly know that this wasn’t ideal. This is why the ninja would begin their engagement at a greater distance to weaken and wear down the samurai with projectiles as well as psych him out emotionally prior to getting in close, then using unconventional tactics and techniques to outwit the Samurai once close combat were to happen. Ninja did train in Kenjitsu II but did not have enough time to dedicate to it as the summer I did because the ninja had so many other skills to master as well. The ninja fort essentially the unconventional soldiers of the feudal era end are to the traditional soldier what army special forces and navy seals are to today’s conventional infantry soldiers.
There are people who still believe in the saying" I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees"
We should all believe in that
You’re not built to walk on your knees
Thats a quote by a Mexican dude, Emiliano Zapata
Really sensible and reasonable sense
Please make a separate video for ninjutsu 😍👏
Gintama the movie was a lot of fun and everyone looks like they’re enjoying the roles, comedy was well timed and the right amount of mystical properties. More please
Good job. From what I understand this interpretation adds up. Ninja vs Samurai? Hattori Hanzo wins! You forgot to mention how many Samurai and Ashigaru were also Shinobi no mono. Evidence suggests by the Sengoku Jidai (pre Edo era), Shinobi were military operatives like Samurai, working for their Daimyo. There is no historic evidence (that I'm aware of) of Shinobi as assassins. Of the Shinobi who were trained for combat, they used the same skills as Samurai. There is no specific Ninja martial art . I would love to see the black uniform myth forgotten. The truth is much more illusive and mysterious. Shinobi would most often be " the grey man" by blending into a crowd. For a more historical Shinobi perspective read the Bansenshukai, Shinobi Hiden, or Shoninki. All have been translated to english.
Don't forget Fuma Kotaro. He was a Ninja Leader for the Hojo Clan...
i just started practicing using the sword...any advice ? as far as style.or choice of sword etc? new subscriber to the channel! love the content!
These video's are great source of information. Thank you Shogosan.
Amazing video, my friend. And while there are noticeable differences between the two warrior classes, samurais and ninjas have always been a huge part of Japan's history. And they are two of my favorite types of warriors.
Hehe I watched naruto knew a part of it but the way you told it is really amazing and informative how cool
Hi I m German and I really like your videos. :)
A discussion of whether a Samurai or a Ninja would be victorious in a fight is up to most anyone's guess. However, you could compare these two warrior classes to something a bit more modern. Whom would be more likely to survive if you placed a Sniper against an Army Ranger? If you placed the two in a confined room, I would toss my coin for the Army Ranger. However, a sniper would never allow the odds to be stacked against their favor. The Sniper would choose the time and place in which they could engage the enemy with the least risk to their own lives. Thus , in a real world scenario I would choose a sniper to be victorious. Clearly, the Ninja and a Sniper have one thing in common. In most cases they will be the first to strike, and you may not get a second chance to retaliate.
Before watching I would say in a actual fight 1v1 in a room that samurai would win. But if ninja gets to fight like they want. The Samurai would be dead without even noticing the ninja killed him aka poison and such.
You had me at Gintama!
I've always been interested about the samurai even before the movie The last samurai because of the anime. So I'm wondering, What about the story of BATOSAI?
Your intro is so cool, I always dance to it 😅😂
Samurai is a "tank" warrior, ninja is a "rogue". 😁
Loved those RPG comparisons 😀
Nearly at 100k subs :D
dunno bout y'all but i'd really enjoy an hour long video about this.
I like your contents :3
Whens the hour long video about ninjas man, me wantee
I like learning about different thing in the world
But isn't it true that the first Ninja were themselves former Samurai, who had left(or been banished by) their masters and became mercenaries and spies, developing their skills from their Bujutsu training, along with other martial arts?
For those who wish to read more about ninja or shinobi no mono, check out the "The Book of Ninja : The Bansenshukai" by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami. Translated into English, it is a ninjutsu manual written in 1676 and discuses tactics and tools.
That is mainly Edo information. Which was subject to heavy romanticization especially for shinobi. So I wouldn’t take most of those sources seriously.
@@kaijuslayer3334 Have you read it?
@@kaijuslayer3334 It was compiled at early Edo period from earlier Iga and Koga sources, to preserve knowledge that will be lost in the more peaceful period. It is rather credible as it really doesn't mythologisize "ninja" in same way later Edo works do.
I think Ninja's are cooler, although I'm basing my judgement on what I see in anime and video games! I've played video games set in Edo and Sengoku, mostly with samurai like Hakuouki and Ken ga Kimi but some of my games are about Ninja like Shinobi Koi which was Sengoku
12:28 Shogo's fav is amazing Do you read Vagabond Shogo-san?
Very interesting.
Can u make a video on yukio Mishima please
Im creating a short film with a Samurai and a Shinobi fighting. Ive made attempts to make this film before but I often felt I failed. But Im making another shot at it. Im placing this in the Muromachi Era.
Hi. In Bansenshukai it established that Shinobi no mono (aka ninja) were well and best trained samurai. Even, ninja was rhe equivalent to a Captain rank in a samurai army.
Can you please make a video about nin-jyutsu
I came here after watching...gintama so i was surprised when you mentioned gintama..😅😆
Biggest misconception of Ninja is the Stright Sword. Yes there may have been some, but a Katana or Wakizashi were very plentiful and much easier to obtain. From my research most Ninja weapons were common farming tools, that were modified to fit their needs.
While the use of most ninja weapons is a big discussion. The ninjato as it’s called, never really existed as you said. And provides no real benefit even when crafted. I mean, why would you want to turn a slashing one sided sword perfectly straight? At least for the other weapons, while they were farming tools, existed.
I agree but Ninjya-to existed as a broken katana. The reason is is because the Koga or Iga whoever after wars against 2 different rival samurai clans the ninjya/farmers/peasants would come in and take Katana's off of dead samurai and they would find broken blades that were short and more straight and they would build the ninjya-to which was more practical because they were short blades. The ninjya also used Katana's I agree but they too were short but with a normal length scabard. They used them to get the advantage on the samurai. A form of trickery. The ninjya were definitely more skilled reason is is the ninjya also practiced budo. For example ninjya are the modern day spy/thief/assassin vs the samurai would be the modern day police force.
Just curious in your class pyramid it says peasants above merchant and craftsman I was wondering what you definition for peasants in this context cause i thought peasants meant they the lower or bottom class
お疲れ様でした！とっても勉強になります！ありがとうございます。
I like Gintama tooo. Thanks Shogo-san
This reminds of video games when you get to pick the characters. Do you want to play assassin like or warrior like. Both are balanced but the player determines the outcome
It depends on the talent and skills of specific ninja and samurai they put into fight, for us to know who is stronger..
Make a video about Yakuza
ninja is like a agent
you can make a video about Miyamoto Musashi?
Thank you very much for leaving a comment! We actually already have a video about that topic, I hope you can check this video out! kzhead.info/sun/f7igkaqhq4x5pqM/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/hMd7lpt-pX-uYJE/bejne.html
I thought ninja was a short way to say shinobi no mono. 忍(びの)者.
Gintama? A man of culture
Who would win in a sword fight - Samurai Cop or Shogo san?
I watch you because i understand what you are saying. And You lived in Micheigan, so near me. Your wife is beautiful. and Your child is awesome. Thank You for allowing me be learn from You, Arigato
Can you talk about samurai x hitinmisu rugi style? It is such style exist in real world.
Please explain samurai crests. Or they are only family symbols?
They weren’t. Honestly it’s a bit hard to explain them just because many existed and were worn for different reasons. But there was a bit of fashion to it, a Oni ornament for example doesn’t necessary mean anything or a family symbol. It’s kinda just there for fashion and extra standing out for those who could afford it. And typically a samurai with a crest was seen as a higher up, with the more ornate ornaments being a sign of how high up they were.
@@kaijuslayer3334 Thanks! I asked because my dad shared a picture of many of them to me on Viber.
Basically, samurais are Japanese knights, while ninjas are hired mercenaries.
Both are strong, instances of integration of both?
Have you seen the Netflix show Age of the Samurai? If you have, how did you like it?
😬😬😬
Only 20k to go!
Hanzo was a samurai as he recruted and invented ninjitsu
It depends on what you count as winning but personally I feel that it doesn't matter
Lord Sakai! “Kill with honor”
Man is both
💕
In the shadows …🥷🏾
Answering this question is essentially trying to answer, "Who would win a Warrior or a Rogue?" and like...that's nothing. It's like asking whether a Wizard could beat a Sorcerer, right? Or if a Ford is faster than a Mitsubishi. The answer is always, "It depends," and can certainly be a fun prompt for imagination! I think it's best when it's thought of like that, though, and not taken too seriously.
Hola mucho gusto es un placer saludarle mi estimado amigo
Many koryu (Samurai) ryuha have shinobi teaching as part of the syllabus. Many so called Ninja were in fact Samurai sent by their Lord to assassinate a political rival. A Lord would have to have deniabilability so no Mon was worn, or expensive clothes, even weapons were cheap un refined swords to make it impossible to identify the clan. The Ninja mostly belonged to two villages and did not have the numbers claimed by bogus and made up histories mostly originating in the 70s from one source.
A samurai can be a shinobi
My bet is on Viking.
a battle is a diffrent story to begin with as it is like a boerd of chess aslong as you know your enemy you will defeat them but if the enemy knows you, you will be defeated but if you both know each other then there 50/50 chance you will win
I like between both samurai and ninjas I will have to say ninjas are pretty faster but a samurai is very honored and very loyal to their selves
Did you know that shuriken where used by samurais and not mutch by ninja!
12:32 😂😂
Someone looked up this video to figure out if Kazama Iroha is actually a samurai or ninja 😁
Toe to toe I don't think most of the Iga shinobi would've stood a chance against most samurai. Like you emphasis though it all depends on who is fighting who. Samurai gone rogue and turned into an assassin/spy would of course be an even match.
hot dammit Shogo, you have some very interesting material but... you gotta stop moving every syllable, man. you're gonna make my ninja brain explode
I do like Gintama too (even if it is a total, unapologetic sausage feast making me question its author's alignment) over Naruto (where some female flesh is allowed to show itself). The reason is long and complex and if I wanted to explain it here I'd rewrite War and Peace, let's just say it resides on the behaviour of the protagonist and let's leave it at that. :)
Team samurai! My favourite anime is Samurai Champloo, you should watch it if you haven‘t seen it. The mood is completely different from Gin Tama but the show does a great job at characterising its villains. I’d even go so far as to say many of the villains aren’t villains but just as morally grey as the protagonists. Everyone‘s just trying to eke out their lives in this tough anachronistic Edo period world.