Koka Koka City, Shiga Prefecture
Koka, the Birthplace of the Ninja
Because Koka was located near Kyoto, the capital at the time,
Ninjas were always busy collecting information.
They were hired by Daimyos from various locations as Shinobi.
In Koka, there is Mount Hando, a major sacred place for Shugendo, or the mountain asceticism.
You can still feel the presence of Ninjas from Yamabushi (mountain ascetic hermits).
Going around the Yamabushi training areas, or gyoba, you can relive the experience of Ninjas training in nature.
In the village is an old shrine which Koka Ninjas worshipped,
where you can feel the mystery and magical nature of Koka Ninjas.
大阪からのアクセス
Aburahi Shrine
Aburahi Jinjya is an old shrine located at the foot of sacred Aburahidake Mountain in south Suzuka. It was named so because the legend has it that Dake daimyojin deity enshrined at the mountaintop emitted light like oil set on fire. Samurais based in Kami-Koka during the age of provincial wars (from late 15th century to late 16th century) formed a community called “Domyoju” or “Gunchuso” to govern and manage the area. Aburahi Shrine was at the center of their activities and thus called “the soja (integrated shrine) of Koka.” The shrine grounds are registered as a national heritage site as “Kokagunchusoisekigun.”
Kogaryu Real Ninja Museum
The facility features ninjas as “Kokaryu Real Ninjas” in detail by studying old documents that were passed down in the area as well as historical and cultural resources, including shrines and temples.“ The museum portrays Koka ninjas based on historical and cultural resources, including old documents that were handed down in this region. Visitors can also learn about the five ways ninjas hide or run away from their enemies.
Koka Ninja Village
The expansive grounds include the Shinobi Shrine, the Ninjutsu Museum, a trick mansion, a shuriken throwing range and more. The grounds are surrounded by virgin forests of the Suzuka Mountain Foothills, giving the atmosphere of a hidden village from the days of old. Visitors can enjoy grand nature and feel like becoming a Ninja in the birthplace of Koka Ninjas.
Well-known Koka Ninjas
Kimura Okunosuke
There remain documents about ninja skills he was involved in at various locations. “Koka Shinobi-no-Den Miraiki,” written in mid-Edo Period (around 1690-1780), is about what Okunosuke passed on to his apprentices, out of concern for the future of Koka ninjas.
Ohara Kazuma
He is a well-known example of Koka Koji (samurais demoted to commoners) who used to be the head of the Ohara Sasayama clan, which was one of Koka-nijyuikke (the 21 reliable clans of Koka). As part of the duties as an officer, he submitted books on ninja skills, “Mansen Shukai” to the shogunate government.
Sugitani Zenjubo
He is said to have been a ninja from the Sugitani clan, but the details are unknown. He attempted to shoot Nobunaga when he was crossing the Chigusa Pass in the Omi Province, but failed, got caught, and was sawed to death.