Panda_Kahn_fan
08-30-2013, 02:08 PM
After my last thread looking at some aspects of TMNT was slightly appreciated, I thought I'd toss my hat into looking at the TMNT as ninja. These are just some things that came to mind working on my latest paper for my history major/Asian studies minor, and is again not meant to offend or upset anyone in any way. Note that I touch on points I made in earlier threads on this board, but try to present my ideas here in a clear and conscise post. Again this is mere speculation and observation, and not meant to offend.
Since the Turtles are suposed to be a ninja clan, they should have thier own 'mon'- a circular symbol that identifies them as part of thier clan. This would suit them far better than the idea of using a color to signify thier clan. The concept of clan colors have nothing to do with Japanese culture and tradition. That notion comes from Europeean cultures such as the celts, which gave rise to such things as clan tartans. Japanese clans used mon, which could be of any color, to identify clan memebership. Colors were worn based on the seasons, special events like weddings, etc., and the mood the idvidual wearer was in. As to ninja, they wore whatever color was suited to thier mission at the time. So I was thinking... why not use the mon on Splinter's kmono from the OT as thier clan symbol? And why not put it in the spotwhere the hated name letters go, on thier belts? As for the headbands, if multicolored upsets some people (doesn't bother me) perhaps going for all black, incorporating the stealth aspect.
Second, why don't some of the Turtles look to both historical and fictional ninjas for insparation and admiration? There are many stories in Japanese folklore abounds of heroic ninja clans who have made it thier duty to guard temples and shrines that contain artifacts of power, and both history and folklore contain examples of ninjas who use thier shadow arts of deception and assasination to selflessly protect villages from groups of bandits and tryannical warlords, without the promise of reward. With his obession with the code of Bushido in some versions, perhaps Leo could try to emulate Hattori Hanzo, who was both ninja and samurai, and perhaps Raph or Donnie could admire Ishekawa Goemon, the historical ninja hero outlaw who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, and tales about him grew to exaggerted proportions-kind of a Japanese robin hood. And modern Japanese fiction abounds with heroic ninja who protect the world from evil- from Sentai teams to animies such as Naruto. Maybe Mikey grew up admiring these ninjas? (Or at least the versions that made it to american television, lol)
Also, in regards to the Foot... you have a team of modern ninjas running around in versions of 16th century Kabuki outfits, and using only ancient weapons to fight *FACEPALM*. This is one case where 4kids got it more right than Mirage- Stealth tech, guns, explosives. Ancient ninja used whatever weapons were at thier disposal, they were the Sengoku and Edo era versions of modern commados. YES shredder would keep thier aresnal updated, and would see guns beside shuriken, gernades beside Katanas. And creatures like mutants and aliens and other bizarre oddities would most definetly be recuited- thay would be useful for certan missions and ninja would use any advantage they could get. perfect example of a mondern Ninja are Snake eyes and Storm Shadow- the Arasahikage clan being what a modern ninja would really be like. Throw is some modern bulletproof kevlar under those Kabuki pajamas. :lol:
Again, these are just the academics opinions, and not meant to offend anyone. Make of them what you will. :)
Since the Turtles are suposed to be a ninja clan, they should have thier own 'mon'- a circular symbol that identifies them as part of thier clan. This would suit them far better than the idea of using a color to signify thier clan. The concept of clan colors have nothing to do with Japanese culture and tradition. That notion comes from Europeean cultures such as the celts, which gave rise to such things as clan tartans. Japanese clans used mon, which could be of any color, to identify clan memebership. Colors were worn based on the seasons, special events like weddings, etc., and the mood the idvidual wearer was in. As to ninja, they wore whatever color was suited to thier mission at the time. So I was thinking... why not use the mon on Splinter's kmono from the OT as thier clan symbol? And why not put it in the spotwhere the hated name letters go, on thier belts? As for the headbands, if multicolored upsets some people (doesn't bother me) perhaps going for all black, incorporating the stealth aspect.
Second, why don't some of the Turtles look to both historical and fictional ninjas for insparation and admiration? There are many stories in Japanese folklore abounds of heroic ninja clans who have made it thier duty to guard temples and shrines that contain artifacts of power, and both history and folklore contain examples of ninjas who use thier shadow arts of deception and assasination to selflessly protect villages from groups of bandits and tryannical warlords, without the promise of reward. With his obession with the code of Bushido in some versions, perhaps Leo could try to emulate Hattori Hanzo, who was both ninja and samurai, and perhaps Raph or Donnie could admire Ishekawa Goemon, the historical ninja hero outlaw who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, and tales about him grew to exaggerted proportions-kind of a Japanese robin hood. And modern Japanese fiction abounds with heroic ninja who protect the world from evil- from Sentai teams to animies such as Naruto. Maybe Mikey grew up admiring these ninjas? (Or at least the versions that made it to american television, lol)
Also, in regards to the Foot... you have a team of modern ninjas running around in versions of 16th century Kabuki outfits, and using only ancient weapons to fight *FACEPALM*. This is one case where 4kids got it more right than Mirage- Stealth tech, guns, explosives. Ancient ninja used whatever weapons were at thier disposal, they were the Sengoku and Edo era versions of modern commados. YES shredder would keep thier aresnal updated, and would see guns beside shuriken, gernades beside Katanas. And creatures like mutants and aliens and other bizarre oddities would most definetly be recuited- thay would be useful for certan missions and ninja would use any advantage they could get. perfect example of a mondern Ninja are Snake eyes and Storm Shadow- the Arasahikage clan being what a modern ninja would really be like. Throw is some modern bulletproof kevlar under those Kabuki pajamas. :lol:
Again, these are just the academics opinions, and not meant to offend anyone. Make of them what you will. :)