Ninja

 The mercenary or covert agent of feudal Japan the Ninja (Ren Zhe, Japanese pronunciation: [nindza(Japanese pronunciation: [nindza]) was referred to as Shinobi (Ren Bi, also known as [cinobi(pronounced [cinobi]). The ninja's duties comprised reconnaissance, espionage, and infiltration. They also deceived, snuck into ambushes and protected their bodies. The covert methods of fighting irregular wars were deemed dishonorable and a detriment to the honor of the Samurai. Shinobi, who are specially-trained spies, or mercenaries, first came into existence in the Sengoku period in the 15th century.[3However, their predecessors may be as old to the 12th century. In the Sengoku period of turmoil the mercenaries hired by the government began to operate within Iga Province as well as the area surrounding Koga. This is where the bulk of the information on the ninja originates. Ninjas were largely forgotten following the unification of Japan that took place under the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century. Shinobi manuals in a variety of formats were written during the 17th and 18th centuries. They often are inspired by Chinese military doctrine.