Professor Rob Tuck, author of the Critical Ninja Theory substack, comes on the pod and discusses his curious road from specializing in Japanese literature to becoming an expert on the historical and mythical ninja. He discusses how his academic background and research led him to debunk many popular misconceptions about ninjas, highlighting the distinction between historical 'shinobi' and the fictional 'ninjas' popularized by media. With insights into his research process and experiences in academia, Rob underscores the importance of critical literacy in understanding Japanese history. He also delves into amusing aspects of ninja fiction and its cultural impact, making the conversation both enlightening and entertaining.



00:00  Introduction and Background



00:27  Discovering the Ninja



00:55  Research and Collection



02:29  Support and Academic Journey



05:20  Critical Ninja Theory



11:20  Real History vs. Fiction



17:16  Ninja in Popular Culture



21:47  Misconceptions and Realities



35:12  The Flexibility of the Ninja Concept



35:45  Western Influence on Ninja Weapons



37:15  Japanese Perception of Ninja



39:25  Ninja in Western Media



41:48  The Fascination with Ninja and Martial Arts



45:17  Anime and Japanese History



54:49  The Evolution of Ninjutsu



57:58  Conclusion and Final Thoughts



Media mentioned in the show











Resources and More



https://criticalninjatheory.substack.com



Bullshido · 54 Critical Ninja Theory with Prof. Rob Tuck