Kunoichi
 |
This article appears to be a dictionary definition. Please rewrite it to present the subject from an encyclopedic point of view. If it cannot be turned into a full encyclopedia article in the near future, consider moving it to Wiktionary.
Steps for moving to Wiktionary:
If Wiktionary has a definition already, change this tag to {{TWCleanup2}} or else consider a soft redirect to Wiktionary by replacing the text on this page with {{Wi}}. If Wiktionary does not have the definition yet, consider moving the whole article to Wiktionary by replacing this tag with the template {{Copy to Wiktionary}}. This template will no longer automatically categorize articles as candidates to move to Wiktionary. |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2010) |
Kunoichi (くノ一) is the term for a female ninja[1] or practitioner of ninjutsu (ninpo).[2]
Etymology[edit]
The term is thought to derive from the names of characters that resemble the three strokes in the kanji character for woman (女 onna); said in the order they are written: ku (く) - no (ノ) - ichi (一). Early literary quotes include Enshū Senkuzuke Narabi Nihyaku In (遠舟千句附并百韵) (1680) as well as Maekuzukeshū (前句付集) (1716), which specifically associates the word with the kanji 女 supporting the etymology of being overpowered. The "くノ一" writing requires the use of one character from each Japanese system of writing[3] — first hiragana, then katakana, then kanji. While hiragana and kanji can exist in the same word, katakana generally cannot appear in conjunction with the others. There are exceptions to this, for example in "ゴミ箱" and "消しゴム".
A popular etymology would derive the term from 九能一 (能 "nō" : talent) with Japanese numbers "ku" (九) for "nine", the particle "no" (の) for "and" and "ichi" (一) for "one", literally translated to "nine and one". The meaning for this name is derived from the number of orifices on a female body. A male has nine (counting the navel), a female has one more (vaginal opening) and possesses the skills to make use of this orifice as well.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Hayes, Stephen K. (1991). Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art. Tuttle Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 0804816565.
- ^ Morris, Glenn (1996). Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master. Frog. p. 70. ISBN 1883319293.
- ^ 語源由来辞典
