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Japanese Town Holds Ninja Festival
If you would like to practice your sneaking, throw eggshell bombs, or get some tips on pirate fighting the Iga-Ueno ninja festival is the place for you. The supposed ancestral home of the ninja, Iga-Ueno offers all things ninja to visitors during the festival, including free public transportation on opening day to anyone dressed in costume. From the article: "Here in Japan, ninjas are now something of a national myth, a slightly cartoonish composite of old folk tales and modern pop culture. This morning in Iga Ueno, however, it would be discourteous to dispute their existence. It's the opening day of the annual ninja festival, and travel on public transport is free to anyone in costume. Connecting to the local loop line, I step on to a train brightly painted with ninja murals (designed by the famous Japanese manga artist Leiji Matsumoto), and find my carriage filled with muffled, hooded figures, all armed with swords and throwing stars."
I tried to find the festival, but when I went there, I didn't see anyone.
And of course, what's a Ninja Festival without the ever popular Ninja Parade?
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
Heh, Its funny to see this on Slashdot! I'm currently living and working here :)
The article is slightly wrong, there are two homes of the ninja, one here in Iga and the other a little north of here in Koka.
It is also the birthplace of Matsuo Basho who is the poet that perfected the Hiku form.
I was told that the art of ninjitsu started due to Iga's close proximity to Kyoto (Japan's old capital), it was close enough that you can get there in a couple days but far enough that disgraced people could hide easily.