Atsumi and is concerned with infiltration into a mansion. The script at the top describes the use of ‘dogs’ as infiltration agents.
Gauging the Economic State of the Enemy
A small, yet interesting connection can be seen between the Shoninki ninja manual and a statement from the Chinese Kuan Tzu . The latter states that Kuan Chung dispatches 80 people to go all over the country as merchants and sell items to people of all provinces. They do this to collate information on all the provinces and to note the wealth of those investigated, and who is ‘dissolute and discontented’. The overall aim was to identify those areas that were in a chaotic state and attack them. This actually helps identify the meaning of a skill described in the Shoninki . Natori describes the strategem and how to defend against it; however he does not state why the people wish to know the financial situation of others. This lack of additional information is a typical Natori trait. Through the Chinese description, we now know they were collecting information on the enemy’s economic status in preparation for an attack.
‘Fattening up’ the Servants
One tactic found in Natori’s writings is the idea of setting up a visit to an enemy residence and distributing gifts to the servants. At this point the ninja, having pleased the enemy, will be in a position to start probing for information. The Ts ’ ao-lu Ching-lueh warns against this ploy: ‘Those who provide generous gifts to your attendants want to ferret out secret plans.’ As with the previous example, this is a perfect illustration of Chinese espionage skills in the shinobi repertoire that are too specific to be a coincidence.
The Art of Assembling Data to Form a Greater Picture
Manuals such as the Shinobi Hiden expand on collation of information, as does the Chinese Ts ’ ao-lu Ching-lueh : ‘When the five types of agents are employed, you must invariably assemble all the data and probe for similarities.’
The Shinobi Hiden and others discuss this, and recommend that when controlling agents, one must check their information individually, root out any double agents and fully investigate if one’s own spies are lying.
The Skill of Finding the Disillusioned
Ninja manuals instruct on how to find the disillusioned in an enemy camp and bring them to your side, more often then not with the promise of gold. This is reflected in the Chinese manuals:
Internal spies – Relying on those among the enemy who have lost their government positions, such as sons and grandsons of those who suffered corporal punishment and families who have been fined [excessively].
It is as important to find information on ‘stable’ people and a stable area: ‘Have our roving agents [ Yushi ] observe the enemy’s ruler and ministers, attendants and officials, noting who is worthy.’ The Six Secret Teachings says:
Ears and Eyes – Seven of. Responsible for going about everywhere, listening to what people are saying; seeing the changes; and observing the officers in all four directions and the army’s true situation.
The Art of Secret Communications
One definite sharing of skills can be found in the form of secret letters, as a shinobi is responsible for such communication, as described by the shinobi section of the Gunpo Jiyoshu manual:
Secret communication is a job that a shinobi should undertake. A secret letter should not be normally intelligible if dropped or exposed to others’ eyes. In ancient times, there was a way of writing a secret message with tangerine juice.
Both the Chinese classics and the Bansenshukai talk of dividing letters so that if any sections are found or intercepted the contents will not be known. The Bansenshukai states:
The written secret agreement should be cut into three so three people can keep it separately and it will make sense only when the general and the ninja combine it together, this is because the characters are divided, further details to be orally
Gauging the Economic State of the Enemy
A small, yet interesting connection can be seen between the Shoninki ninja manual and a statement from the Chinese Kuan Tzu . The latter states that Kuan Chung dispatches 80 people to go all over the country as merchants and sell items to people of all provinces. They do this to collate information on all the provinces and to note the wealth of those investigated, and who is ‘dissolute and discontented’. The overall aim was to identify those areas that were in a chaotic state and attack them. This actually helps identify the meaning of a skill described in the Shoninki . Natori describes the strategem and how to defend against it; however he does not state why the people wish to know the financial situation of others. This lack of additional information is a typical Natori trait. Through the Chinese description, we now know they were collecting information on the enemy’s economic status in preparation for an attack.
‘Fattening up’ the Servants
One tactic found in Natori’s writings is the idea of setting up a visit to an enemy residence and distributing gifts to the servants. At this point the ninja, having pleased the enemy, will be in a position to start probing for information. The Ts ’ ao-lu Ching-lueh warns against this ploy: ‘Those who provide generous gifts to your attendants want to ferret out secret plans.’ As with the previous example, this is a perfect illustration of Chinese espionage skills in the shinobi repertoire that are too specific to be a coincidence.
The Art of Assembling Data to Form a Greater Picture
Manuals such as the Shinobi Hiden expand on collation of information, as does the Chinese Ts ’ ao-lu Ching-lueh : ‘When the five types of agents are employed, you must invariably assemble all the data and probe for similarities.’
The Shinobi Hiden and others discuss this, and recommend that when controlling agents, one must check their information individually, root out any double agents and fully investigate if one’s own spies are lying.
The Skill of Finding the Disillusioned
Ninja manuals instruct on how to find the disillusioned in an enemy camp and bring them to your side, more often then not with the promise of gold. This is reflected in the Chinese manuals:
Internal spies – Relying on those among the enemy who have lost their government positions, such as sons and grandsons of those who suffered corporal punishment and families who have been fined [excessively].
It is as important to find information on ‘stable’ people and a stable area: ‘Have our roving agents [ Yushi ] observe the enemy’s ruler and ministers, attendants and officials, noting who is worthy.’ The Six Secret Teachings says:
Ears and Eyes – Seven of. Responsible for going about everywhere, listening to what people are saying; seeing the changes; and observing the officers in all four directions and the army’s true situation.
The Art of Secret Communications
One definite sharing of skills can be found in the form of secret letters, as a shinobi is responsible for such communication, as described by the shinobi section of the Gunpo Jiyoshu manual:
Secret communication is a job that a shinobi should undertake. A secret letter should not be normally intelligible if dropped or exposed to others’ eyes. In ancient times, there was a way of writing a secret message with tangerine juice.
Both the Chinese classics and the Bansenshukai talk of dividing letters so that if any sections are found or intercepted the contents will not be known. The Bansenshukai states:
The written secret agreement should be cut into three so three people can keep it separately and it will make sense only when the general and the ninja combine it together, this is because the characters are divided, further details to be orally
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