Introduction
Makimono are traditional Japanese scrolls used to record knowledge, techniques, and important information. In ninja history, they are often associated with hidden teachings, secret strategies, and the transmission of ninjutsu traditions. While modern fiction portrays them as mysterious “secret ninja scrolls,” real makimono were practical documents used for education, communication, and preservation of knowledge.
What is it?
Makimono (巻物) literally means “rolled thing” or “scroll.”
They are long sheets of paper or silk rolled around a central rod and traditionally used in Japan for writing and illustration before modern book formats became common.
In martial and ninja traditions, makimono could contain:
- Tactical instructions
- Training methods
- Maps and route information
- Philosophical teachings
- Lists of techniques and tools
- Clan records and secret knowledge
Because they could be rolled and stored compactly, makimono were practical for preserving and transporting information.
Why is it important?
Makimono are important because they represent how ninja knowledge and martial traditions were transmitted across generations.
Ninjutsu was not based only on physical skills. It also relied heavily on:
- Strategy
- Observation
- Planning
- Intelligence gathering
- Survival knowledge
Makimono helped organize and preserve this information.
They also reinforced secrecy. Important teachings were often shared only with trusted students or family members, making scrolls symbols of hidden or restricted knowledge.
In modern culture, the image of the “secret ninja scroll” has become one of the most recognizable symbols of ninja tradition.
Historical facts
Makimono were widely used throughout Japanese history, especially during the Sengoku Period (1467–1615), when military strategy and information management became increasingly important.
Martial schools across Japan recorded teachings in scroll form, including techniques related to swordsmanship, tactics, medicine, and espionage.
In ninjutsu traditions associated with Iga and Koka, scrolls are believed to have preserved practical knowledge such as:
- Stealth methods
- Disguise techniques (hensojutsu)
- Fire and smoke tactics (kayakujutsu)
- Escape and survival strategies
Some historical ninja manuals survive today, though many were written later and mix practical instruction with philosophical ideas.
One famous example connected to ninja traditions is the Bansenshukai, a large compilation of ninjutsu knowledge created during the Edo period.
Historical figures such as Hattori Hanzo are often associated in modern storytelling with secret scrolls and hidden techniques, although historical records mainly identify him as a military commander connected to intelligence operations.
Modern meaning
Today, makimono are strongly associated with mystery, martial arts, and hidden wisdom.
In anime, manga, and video games, ninja scrolls are often portrayed as magical or forbidden documents containing powerful techniques. While fictionalized, these portrayals are inspired by the historical role of scrolls in preserving martial knowledge.
In modern martial arts and historical studies, makimono are valued as:
- Important cultural artifacts
- Records of traditional teachings
- Sources for studying historical ninjutsu and strategy
Ninja museums and cultural exhibitions frequently display replica scrolls to demonstrate how information was recorded and passed down in feudal Japan.
As a result, makimono have become symbolic representations of secrecy, discipline, and the preservation of ninja knowledge.
Related Articles
- Ninja
- Shinobi
- Ninjutsu
- Hensojutsu
- Kayakujutsu
- Kuji-Kiri
- Iga-ryu
- Koka-ryu
- Sengoku Period
- Hattori Hanzo