Why Ninja Spread Across the World: Influence from Bruce Lee
Why Ninja Spread Across the World: Influence from Bruce Lee

Summary/Abstract: The Hollywood film Enter the Dragon (1973), starring Hong Kong martial artist and action star Bruce Lee (Li Xiaolong), became a massive global hit and had a profound impact across various fields. In response, the Hollywood film Enter the Ninja (1981) was produced, featuring martial artist Sho Kosugi, who had traveled alone from Japan to America and admired Bruce Lee, in the role of the Ninja. In American-produced Ninja films, to appeal to American audiences, the Ninja was shaped as a hero appearing in the modern era, wielding numerous weapons including nunchaku. The huge success of this film led to a series of Ninja films starring Sho Kosugi being produced, spreading the Ninja concept worldwide. The massive success of Bruce Lee and Shō Kosugi's films stemmed not only from their exceptional skills and the films' content, but also from the timing, coinciding with periods of heightened. American interest in China and Japan. Bruce Lee's philosophy, the ninja's philosophy, and ancient Chinese thought share common ground. Their approach, unconstrained by rigid forms and dedicated to peace, transcends borders and race, and continues to be cherished worldwide today.

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