ABOUT NINPAKU

　Featuring over 300 ninja tools and weapons, including shuriken, kusarigama, manrikigusari, and concealed mechanical contraptions, this permanent exhibit stands as one of Japan’s largest collections. The renowned collector of ninja equipment, the late Mr. Kenji Yamagishi, spent 50 years amassing the Yamagishi Collection, which includes a substantial number of tools used by the Sanada ninja clan discovered in the local Agatsuma region. Keeping alive the personal aspiration to ‘introduce ninja tools to a wide audience and inspire an appreciation for ninja culture,’ many of these items can be directly touched and handled.

The exhibition space, though small, exudes the atmosphere of a stone-built warehouse, reminiscent of a “arsenal.” It’s akin to an “IT Ninja Mechanism Manor.” Featuring state-of-the-art visual and lighting technologies like projection mapping, kinetic light systems, and interactive flooring, it breathes new life into the aged silver exhibits.

Adjacent to “Ninpaku” is another warehouse, much like a twin, known as the Ninja Entertainment “Nintame.” Here, visitors can enjoy various attractions, including a VR swordplay experience called “VS Sanada Yukimura,” a shuriken game with CG for young children, classic ninja games, and the opportunity to dress up in ninja and armor costumes. It stands out as a ninja training ground for children.

Appealing to a wide audience, from culture enthusiasts and antique aficionados to female history buffs who adore ninjas and the Sengoku period, as well as kids who get excited about vibrant visual effects and games. When you visit “Ninpaku,” you’ll instantly transcend 400 years of time and find yourself in the world of ninjas. Enjoying ninja experiences earnestly and easily, it’s a meticulously crafted homemade ninja museum. That’s what “Ninpaku” is all about.

　The Sanada clan, a prestigious name in the Sengoku era, heavily employed ninjas, focusing on the training of spies known as “Toha” who excelled in espionage. It’s estimated that their number exceeded 1,000. One such head of the Toha was Morishige Ideura, who excelled in both Toha operations and their development, providing covert support to the Sengoku powerhouse, Takeda Shingen.

The Agatsuma region boasted highly skilled ninjas like Shimousanokami Shigekatsu Warita, Genba Karasawa, and Yukishige Yokoya. These remarkable individuals, known as the “Agatsuma Seven Knights,” were renowned Agatsuma ninjas and not only excelled in the Agatsuma region but also played vital roles in battles like the Battle of Sekigahara, the conquest of Odawara, and the Siege of Osaka. It is also said that the Agatsuma ninjas became the model for the popular “Sanada Ten Braves” in later years.