Weighing the Evidence
Robin Hood
WEIGH
EVIDENCE
THE
NINJAS
Instructions
- Rate each of the following exhibits based on how well it supports the statement:
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
-Each exhibit is rated from -2 (very against the statement) to + 2 (very supportive of the statement)
-A rating of 0 means the source is not useful or reliable.
-For each write one or two sentences defending your rating.
Set up your paper into columns like this:
Exhibit
Rating
Why?
Z – Photograph
of forest
+1
Stories of bigfoot often say he lives in the forest. This is actually a forest so the stories are somewhat believable.
Not all evidence is equally important. Part of drawing a conclusion is determining how much weight you give to each bit of information.
-2
Heavily against
-1
Slightly against
0
No
value as a source
+1
Slightly for
+2
Heavily for
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
Exhibit A:
“Did Ninjas really Exist?
From Yahoo Answers
BlueRat asked…
Did ninjas really exist? Apparently there’s no historical proof. Just because ninjas themselves didn’t leave evidence does not mean other proof wouldn’t exist. Couldn’t a daimyo write about it in his diary or something?
Hansel answered…
in ancient japan there were ninjas, and they often were hired as assasins, so that's why no one really proved them, and look on wikipedia, it'll give u proof
SlowClap answered…
That's because they were too sneaky to be caught by historians. Why wouldn't they exist? It makes sense that people could learn martial arts and use them for crime. I mean, it's not like they're mythological beings...they're just people. I wasn't aware that there was no historical proof about them. Maybe historians just aren't looking in the right places.
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Exhibit B:
Japanese Mansion
Built around 1690 in Koga
Above: Break-away floor traps that lead to a 15 foot deep pit under the house.
Below: Hidden viewing window in the attic.
Above: Rotating wall panel leading to a passage between the walls.
Below: Rope ladder from attic to first floor.
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Exhibit c
:
Two Japanese Wood Cuts
Woodcuts by Utagawa Toyokuni around 1850
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Exhibit d:
Modern book
Exhibit M:
Modern book
The image of the ninja as a black-clad, mysterious, super-samurai who is a deadly assassin and spy, is the popular concept which the word brings to mind today, and all these elements have some basis in reality.
Ninja: The True Story of Japan’s Secret Warrior Cult, Stephen Turnbull, 1991
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Exhibit E:
Excerpt from the Bansenshukai in 1676
Translation
Ninjutsu Questions and Answers
Question: When was the beginning of Ninjutsu?
Answer: It began as military strategy of emperor Fushigitei and by the time of Kotei it was fully employed. Since then, it has been transmitted to the following generations. Only conscientious people, with no evil intentions, can use it. Although we say that ninjutsu as a military affair has been in use since Fushigitei and Kotei, its records were hidden, and it only existed in substance. [However], its essence could be seen in various ancient records.
Bansenshukai Volume 1, 1676
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Exhibit F:
Quote from Ancient Book
“Ninja were those who lurked in their own and other provinces. Certain among them knew secret things and slipped into secure enemy castles…”
Buyo Benryaku, Japanese book from 1684
“Most of what we’re told about ninjas is true.”
Instructions