Opened in 1964 near Iga Ueno Castle, the Ninja Museum is dedicated to the history of ninjutsu, the art of ninjas' stealth combat. The cultural institution was the target of a burglary in the early hours of August 17, when its entrance was forced open with a crowbar and its safe (weighing 330 lbs!) carried off. Authorities said the heist had been carefully planned and only lasted three minutes.
The owners said the safe contained one million yen (nearly $10,000), the revenue for the weekend that had just ended. Isolated in the middle of the forest, the building is rather conducive to this kind of break-in. The museum's security cameras show a car approaching the building, a man exiting from the passenger side and facing the camera. Police were called after the security alarm went off at 1:30 a.m.
Related: Ukiyo-e: The Art of Japan
No artifact on display in the museum is missing. The collection includes ancient writings on the art of ninjutsu, as well as various ninja weapons. The weapons and techniques used in the past by these shadow mercenaries are presented with the help of models, reconstructions and films. The museum now has over 400 ninja items, including historical shurikens (weapons in the shape of a star with sharpened points).
There are still a few ninja schools around the world, particularly in the main training styles of Bujinkan, Genbukan, and Jinenkan. Iga, the town where the museum is located, has one of the leading ninja schools and was one the historical centers of ninjutsu. The thieves of the museum safe are still at large.
