Japan's Aichi Prefecture, a region located in their central Honshu Island, is looking to hire six ninjas to boost their "warlord tourism".
For those unemployed ninjas looking for a break, the roles are full time and pay ¥180,000 (about $2,100 AUD) per month.
Ninjas, who until now had their heyday in the 15th Century, were originally hired as mercenaries. They were used for their stealth in espionage, as assassins, and in other forms of undercover warfare.
Their roles were in stark contrast to that of the Japanese samurai, who fought in open battle on account of it being a more honorable form of warfare.
Naturally, the current advert has altered those ancient job specifications to suit the times and context.
Although, the Aichi Prefecture's official call out specifies physical fitness and acrobatic skill as prerequisites needed for the role (which seem like rather timeless job requirements in the martial arts sector), the ad also mentions a willingness to partaking in stage performances as well as radio and television "PR work".
The advertisement also points out prior combat experience as a ninja is not required, and that applicants should not have a track record of killing people for money.
In case that wasn't obvious or something...
Things Aichi Prefecture's tourism body is looking for in the perfect ninja candidate:
- English skills, as some performances will be in English. Japanese language is also preferred, though not essential.
- A passion for history and tourism.
- "Enjoy being under the spotlight even though he or she is a secretive ninja" - Satoshi Adachi, representative of Aichi tourism promotions, to AFP via BBC.
- Over 18 years of age.
- No track record of actually killing people for money.
- Physical fitness and acrobatic skills.
Successful applicants will undergo a crash course in entertaining tourists with acrobatics and sword play.
The prefecture's tourism group anticipates ninjas to be ready by April's end to perform in the ancient Nagoya Castle, as well as other popular tourist locations.
(But their selection criteria says nothing about parrots not being allowed to apply)
The push for this new strain of acrobatic "warlord tourism" is said to come from Aichi's neighbouring region, Iga. Iga is popularly marketed as the home town of the ninja and offers tourists events that combine ninja performance whilst explaining ancient Japanese warfare.
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