Ninjas have long fascinated the world—with tales of silent assassins, throwing stars, and invisibility cloaks. But what does history actually tell us? In this episode of History Unpacked, we explore the real origins of the ninja, tracing their roots to the turbulent Sengoku period of Japan. Discover how these covert operatives were trained, what missions they undertook, and how myth transformed them into modern icons. From the forests of Iga and Kōga to pop culture stardom, this is the true story of Japan’s mysterious shadow warriors. Stealth, strategy, and survival—this is the real history of the ninja