A ninja (忍者?) or shinobi (忍び?) was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations.[1] The ninja, using covert methods of waging war, were contrasted with the samurai, who had strict rules about honor and combat.[2]
The shinobi proper, as a specially trained group of spies and mercenaries, appear in the Sengoku or "warring states" period, in the 15th century,[3] but antecedents may have existed in the 14th century,[4] and possibly even the 12th century (Heian or early Kamakura era).[5][6]
In the unrest of the Sengoku period (15th–17th centuries), mercenaries and spies for hire arose out of the Iga and Kōga regions of Japan, and it is from these clans that much of later knowledge regarding the ninja is inferred. Following the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate (17th century), the ninja descended into obs
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This weekend only get Double Station Cash* on Free Realms Game Cards purchased at CVS/pharmacy!
Head over to your local CVS/pharmacy and pick up Free Realms Station Cash cards, then redeem them between January 20, 2012, at 12.01 a.m. PST and January 22, 2012, at 11.59 p.m. PST, and your Station Cash will be doubled! *Offer only valid on Free Realms Station Cash cards purchased at CVS/pharmacy and redeemed between 1/20/12 12.01am PST and 1/22/11 11.59pm PST. |
In Free Realms, celebrate Snow Days by hanging out with your friends at Snowhill or throw a party in your own place. Better hurry! Snow Days ends on January 18, 2012! Join your friends today for some Snow Days fun at http://www.FreeRealms.com.
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Double Station Cash Starts Tomorrow, 12/24/2011
Happy Holidays!!! Did you get Pre-Paid Game Cards as a gift this holiday season? Redeem them tomorrow, December 24, 2011, starting at 12:01 AM PST for Double Station Cash! You’ll want to hurry. The Double Station Cash Stocking Stuffer ends December 27, 2011 11:59 PM PST* Redeem in-game or redeem here! Didn’t get an SOE Pre-Paid Game Card yet? Get one at participating retailers in Europe and the US now! **Reminder* SOE Pre-Paid Game Cards are now available in Mexico, Australia and New Zealand at participating retailers! *Offer valid on SOE Pre-Paid Game Cards redeemed between 12/24/11 12.01am PST and 12/27/11 11.59pm PST |