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