Red Ninja Costumes

Ninja Outfit and Costumes

The shinobi shozoku is a type of dark-coloured keikogi clothing, traditionally worn by practitioners of the Japanese martial art of ninjutsu.

It is made up of split-toed tabi boots ("jika-tabi") and socks; special trousers with double-ties which fasten at the ankles, knees and waist; a jacket with overlapping lapels which is tucked into the trousers; protective arm-and-hand sleeves; and either a scarf that serves as a mask and hood, or a separate hood and mask. An obi belt to indicate the wearer's level of kyu or dan grade may also be worn. The outfit is made of strong, dark-colored fabric, usually black cotton, fitted loosely to allow freedom of movement. The jacket usually contains an interior shuriken pocket.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that the ninjas limited themselves to dressing in all-black suits in Japanese feudal times. The classic black ninja outfit (the shinobi sho-zoku) is said to have derived from Bunraku (not noh theatre); Bunraku prop handlers would dress in black in order to be less conspicuous to an audience as they moved props around the stage area. Another idea supporting the absence of a ninja outfit and any specific weaponry is that, if seen, they would have been identified as enemies. If captured, torture and a very slow and painful execution would probably result. Thus, historical ninja spies and assassins were far more likely to be disguised as samurai, Shinto or Buddhist monks, or peasants.

During Japanese feudal times, for night attacks shinobi sho-zoku clothing (as dictated by the situation, preference or availability) could be dark green, dark blue or dark red, depending on which offered better night camouflage with its surroundings.

The above Red Ninja outfit was available from Genesport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

(Owner of Genesport has since gone out of business)

 The following are various  Halloween Red Ninja costumes :

Miss Japan opted for the Samurai costume that most media outlets labeled as a Red Ninja outfit in the Miss World beauty pageant !

In ancient Japan, ninjas are specially trained mercenary warriors familiar with unorthodox methods of battle. They are skilled in using assassination, sabotage, illusion, espionage, and many martial arts disciplines to cause destabilization or chaos in the service of feudal lords.

Indeed the war for attention and influence in the fashion industry constantly requires new ways of thinking and presenting ideas. Though I'm sure ninja pants have already been done one time or another, only Rag & Bone presents it as vividly for Fall 2009.

http://lbosquejo.blogspot.com/2009/03/rag-bones-ninja-pants.html

Conflicts between the daimyo, or the feudal leaders, are resolved not only through battles of direct assault - they also resort to guerilla warfare and assassination as alternative. Since the samurai code, or the Bushido, forbid such methods as dishonorable, a daimyo has to recruit ninjas to execute such tactics, especially in infiltrating the strongholds of enemies.

The same concept is employed for this shirt with a bluish gray bib. The sash brings it closer to the warrior's outfit.

There are some that say the phenomenon of ninjas developed in opposition to the culture of the samurai: "Ninjutsu did not come into being as a specific well defined art in the first place, and many centuries passed before ninjutsu was established as an independent system of knowledge in its own right. Ninjutsu developed as a highly illegal counter culture to the ruling samurai elite, and for this reason alone, the origins of the art were shrouded by centuries of mystery, concealment, and deliberate confusion of history." (according to Masaaki Hatsumi and Stephen K. Hayes, author of 'Mystic Arts of the Ninja')

The all-black garb of ninjas we are familiar with may actually be more fiction than fact. There is no evidence to support the popular cultural representation. As it turns out, the stereotypical outfits (shinobi shozoku) may have come from kabuki theater, where handlers would be dressed in black when moving props, including the costumes of ninja characters, around the stage.

The boots that ninja use, called jika-tabi, similar to what the Japanese wore at the time, have a split-toe design. This enhances grip and is useful for wall or rope climbing. Moreover, they have soft soles that grant wearers virtual silence. Ninjas also use special spikes, called shuko, and attach these to the bottoms of boots. These shuko are also handy for climbing trees, when used with the hands. Ninjas also attach ashiaro, or wooden pads carved to look like an animal's paw or child's foot, to their boots to fool their enemies.

As ninjas have gained their costumed image through a popular misrepresentation, they continue to inhabit the mind of the public through a more distorted medium: video games, where the masked villains continue to battle the more socially respected samurai.

How to Make a Ninja Costume

Source: http://costumepop.com/adult-costumes/how-to-make-a-ninja-costume/

Are you the strong silent type? If so, the ninja costume may be the perfect Halloween costume for you. Slip in and out of Halloween festivities this year leaving a trail of mystery in your path. In just a few simple steps you can get into character and fool your friends and family with this fabulous ninja costume.

Things You’ll Need:

Black Clothes

Black Scarf

Black Boots

Red Sash

Ninja Weapons

Putting Together your Ninja Costume:

Step 1: The clothing is the easiest part about being a ninja. Generally, a good ninja wants to be stealthy so they wear all black. Get a pair of black sweat pants that are not too loose. Pair it with a black turtle neck or high neck top.

Step 2: Use the black scarf to wrap you head and face leaving only your eyes revealed. A safety pin may help fasten the scarf so it doesn’t come loose while you are out and about. Tie the red sash around your waist leaving the ends hanging to the side.

Step 3: Put the finishing touches on your ninja costume by pair it with plain black sneakers or boots. Wear black socks. Make sure as little skin possible is showing.

Step 4: Ninjas use a variety of weapons. Halloween stores and costume shops carry a variety of plastic ninja weapons. Don’t over do it with the weapons, pick one. There are plastic nunchucks and swords along with a variety of other plastic ninja weapons for Halloween

 http://www.buycostumes.com/Samurai-Geisha-Adult-Costume/61455/ProductDetail.aspx

Maybe this artwork will inspire your Red Ninja costume.