Tsu, Japan: A university in Japan is offering students the chance to learn about ninjas, including lessons in walking stealthily and breathing methods to prevent runners from tiring.

However, Mie University in Tsu puts most emphasis on the academic study of ninjas, intending to explore their roles and lifestyles by dispelling their stereotypical combatant image created by films and manga.

"The most important role of ninja is to collect intelligence. They tried to avoid fighting as much as possible," said Professor Yuji Yamada, 47, of the university, while showing a ninja film to students during his "Ninja Study" class. "They were required to have good memories and communication skills first and foremost, rather than physical strength."

Professor Yamada, an expert of Japanese mediaeval history, began studying ninjas in early 2012 at the request of the university.

As there are few academic papers on ninjas, he initially thought academically studying them would be difficult, as ninja skills have mostly been handed down by word of mouth. However, once he began researching books at the Ninja Museum of Igaryu, he says he gradually learned what ninjas were really like. The books are not available to the public.