Tenchu Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Kunoichi
Kunoichi
Gender Female
Weapon Dual jyute, single or dual tanto, claws
First Appearance Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Kunoichi (くノ一), female ninja, are a type of guards in Tenchu. Like Ayame, they are fast and use combat style that rely on speed and flexibility rather than muscle. They are the only guards that can keep up with Ayame in term of quickness, and they use that to overcome stronger but slower opponents such as Rikimaru or Tesshu. They also have longer line of sight than most guards.

Guard kunoichi appear in almost every Tenchu game, except Tenchu: Shadow Assassins.

In Stealth Assassins

Kunoichi:

Kunoichi (Tenchu 1)

Kunoichi

Dress in black, short cloth that exposes chest area. These kunoichi work for Gohda's enemy. They wield dual jyute, which work like Ayame's dual tanto. Share the same moves with Ayame's but have shorter attack combo.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Spinning Slash: Jyutei's special attack. Kunoichi rises her weapons to both side and spin herself on one leg for a few seconds. Attack anyone nearly but leave herself open for attack after use.

Aerial Double Slash: Jyutei's special attack. Kunoichi performs jumping upward slash with jyute, follows with downward slash with another. Though same as Ayame's crouching attack, this attack has a weird effect. If this move is used near the player, kunoichi will "bump" herself with player, causing him loses balance and opens for following downward slash.


Demon Kunoichi (鬼面):

Demon Kunoichi

Demon Kunoichi

Kunoichi in evil-looking outfit with demon mask. Wield dual hand blades, with the same moveset with previous kunoichi, or a pair of claws that have the same moveset with claw ninja. They also wear a belt which similar to Onikage's. Assuming from demon theme and belt, they may be kunoichi in Onikage's personal unit. Have higher health than normal kunoichi.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Spinning Slash: Hand Blades' special attack. Demon kunoichi rises her weapons to both side and spin herself on one leg for a few seconds. Attack anyone nearly but leave herself open for attack after use.

Aerial Double Slash: Hand Blades' special attack. Demon kunoichi performs jumping upward slash with one of her weapon, follows with downward slash with another. Though same as Ayame's crouching attack, this attack has a weird effect. If this move is used near the player, she will "bump" herself with player, causing him loses balance and opens for following downward slash.

In Birth of the Stealth Assassins

They are a members of Burning Dawn. Their weapons are dual tanto or pair of claws (爪 tsume), which have higher damage than tanto but little slower. Unlike in Stealth Assassins, kunoichi with claws have faster moveset than claw ninja's.


Hannya Kunoichi (般若 Hannya):

Hannya Kunoichi (Tenchu 2)

Hannya Kunoichi

Dress in blue and wear Hannya mask. Though the weakest kunoichi in Burning Dawn, they learned all abilities of Burning Dawn ninja and can cause trouble to player with their items.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Items: Able to use items like shuriken, poison dart, bomb or smoke bomb.

Attack the Unseen: Use distant items like shuriken or poison dart to attack at suspicious sound.

Dodge: Able to anticipate direction of player's attack or item and dodge it.




Crow Kunoichi (鴉九ノ一):

Crow Kunoichi

Crow Kunoichi

Dress in black with crow head-liked hood. They are elite kunoichi of Burning Dawn, having the highest health among their kunoichi. Highly skilled in combat.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Items: Able to use items like shuriken, poison dart, bomb or smoke bomb.

Attack the Unseen: Use distant items like shuriken or poison dart to attack at suspicious sound.

Dodge: Able to anticipate direction of player's attack or item and dodge it.




Snake Kunoichi (水蛇九ノ一 ) :

Snake Kunoichi

Snake Kunoichi

Wearing green suit and snake mask. These kunoichi often found in an area near water like underground cavern or sea shore.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Items: Able to use items like shuriken, poison dart, bomb or smoke bomb.

Attack the Unseen: Use distant items like shuriken or poison dart to attack at suspicious sound.

Dodge: Able to anticipate direction of player's attack or item and dodge it.





In Wrath of Heaven/Return from Darkness

They are kunoichi working for Tenrai. All of them have rose tattoo on right thigh, which could be a mark of their units or clan. Though lack abilities, these kunoichi fight better than many previous ones in direct combat, thanks to improved battle system.


Red Kunoichi:

Red Kunoichi

Red Kunoichi

Dress in red, short kimono and wear protective socks. Red kunoichi wield dual tanto like Ayame and use similar basic moves, except that their combo has only three attacks and their grapple attack is knee to stomach instead. They also do less damage than Ayame, but could be troublesome opponents because of their agility.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Grab and Knee: Red kunoichi's grapple attack is knee to player’s midsection. Deal moderate damage and can be used even when player was stunned by her combo.





Black Kunoichi:

Black Kunoichi (both version)

Black Kunoichi

Dress in black, short kimono and wear protective socks. Black kunoichi use the same moveset with red kunoichi but have higher attack power and health. With their high damage and speed, they are a formidable opponents for any player’s characters in Wrath of Heaven.

Black kunoichi is also playable in Versus Mode. In that mode, player can use backflip slash, a move that they don’t use in story mode.

Their appearance is different in Wrath of Heaven and Return from Darkness. In Wrath of Heaven, they are a white-haired women. In Return from Darkness, they wear demon mask and their rose tattoo are changed to moth tattoo instead. They also got the official name "Jōkunoichi" (上くノ一, expert kunoichi) in later version.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Grab and Knee: Black kunoichi's grapple attack is knee to player’s midsection. Deal moderate damage and can be used even when player was stunned by her combo.

In Fatal Shadows

They are kunoichi hired by Jyuzou to attack his village and later join Kuroya. The have the same models as kunoichi in Wrath of Heaven, with some different details. All of them have rose tattoo on right thigh, same as Tenrai’s kunoichi. Since Kuroya and Tenrai’s groups are different organization, this can be assumed that the tattoo is a mark of their clan, which giving kunoichi for hire to anyone. Or it is just the maker’s laziness.

Compare to kunoichi in other games, these kunoichi are better in chasing player and well trained in combat, athletic and acrobatic skills.


'Kuroya Kunoichi':

Kuroya Kunoichi

Kuroya Kunoichi

Kunoichi hired by Jyuzou. Use red kunoichi’s model from Wrath of Heaven, but wearing blue kimono instead. These kunoichi wield dual tanto like Ayame and use similar basic moves and acrobatic feat. However, they third attack of their combo (or backflip slash) comes out slowly. Unless they attack player from behind, player can block the last attack of their combo, making their damage lower than it should.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Backflip Slash: Same as one of Ayame’s move. Instead of doing normal slash as the third attack in combo, kunoichi can choose to do backflip and slash at the same time. Though slower, this attack deals more damage than normal slash, and let kunoichi disengage from player. Also, its different attack speed could cause player to miss his parry timing.

Grab and Knee: Kunoichi's grapple attack is knee to player’s midsection. Can be used even after player was stunned by her combo. Sometime, she uses this to interrupt player’s attack.

Items: Able to use rice ball or potion to replenish health, or shuriken or exploding arrow (if she can get one) to attack player at distant range.

Dodge Items (Hard Mode Only): Able to anticipate direction of player's item and dodge it with side step.

Stealth Kill (Hard Mode Only): Able to perform stealth kill on player if kunoichi can reach Ayame or Rin's back while her weapons are sheathed.


Kuroya Jōkunoichi (黒屋上くノ一):

Kuroya Jokunoichi

Kuroya Jokunoichi

Kunoichi that joined Kuroya after Jyuzou destroyed his village and became the organization’s elites. Use black kunoichi’s model from Wrath of Heaven, but have dark gray hair and wearing different kimono. Jokunoichi wield dual tanto like Ayame and use similar basic moves (except crouching attack) and acrobatic feat.

Additional trainings from Kuroya and experience from doing missions for the group improved their strength, endurance, agility and skills. When compared to normal kunoichi, jokunoichi deal higher damage, attack with higher speed (the third attack in combo doesn’t slow anymore), have more health and can use "Drilling Top" special attack.

Being one of the most skilled enemies in the game, jokunoichi can deal with Ayame or Rin even in one-on-one combat. They can overcome Rin with higher speed, and rival Ayame with equal levels of strength and agility. They also have high running speed that help them catch up with Ayame if she tries to run away. And able to stealth kill Ayame or Rin if they are sloppy.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Tenchu_Fatal_Shadows_Enemy_Stealth_Kill_2

Tenchu Fatal Shadows Enemy Stealth Kill 2

Kuroya Jokunoichi slits Rin's throat

Backflip Slash: Same as one of Ayame’s move. Instead of doing normal slash as the third attack in combo, jokunoichi can choose to do backflip and slash at the same time. Though slower, this attack still connect if the previous attack hit. Deal more damage than normal slash, and let jokunoichi disengage from player. Also, its different attack speed could cause player to miss his parry timing. Jokunoichi may follow this with dashing attack for more damage, which can be blocked except player being attacked in tight space, in corner, while being stunned by another enemy's attack or when back to a wall.

Drilling Top

Kuroya Jokunoichi's drilling top

Drilling Top: While jokunoichi has around 40 or less health, she will try to find a chance to throw a top to player. If hit, the top will spin on player’s head for a few seconds before extends its tip to drill player’s skull and brain, killing player. She can use this only three times.

Grab and Knee: Jokunoichi's grapple attack is knee to player’s midsection. Can be used even after player was stunned by her combo. Sometime, she uses this to interrupt player’s attack.

Items: Able to use rice ball or potion to replenish health, or shuriken or exploding arrow (if she can get one) to attack player at distant range.

Dodge Items (Hard Mode Only): Able to anticipate direction of player's item and dodge it with side step.

Stealth Kill: Able to perform stealth kill on player if jokunoichi can reach Ayame or Rin's back while her weapons are sheathed.

In Tenchu Z

They are part of Ogawara Ninja. Unlike guard kunoichi from previous games, these kunoichi fight with one tanto instead of two.


Ogawara Kunoichi: Kunoichi dressing in short kimono and protective

Ogawara Kunoichi

Ogawara Kunoichi and Jokunoichi

socks similar to kunoichi from Wrath of Heaven and Fatal Shadows, but with a leopard tattoos on both thighs. Skilled in kenjutsu, they have quick two hit combo that will knock player down or strong thrust that can break blocking. And able to parry player's attack.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Attack Parry: Ogawara Kunoichi will enter defensive stance to use this ability. If player attack her while she's in the stance, she will parry the attack with tanto, making player opens for an upcoming attack from her ally for a few seconds.

High Jump: Able to perform high jump to reach rooftop or other high spots.


Ogawara Jokunoichi: High rank kunoichi in Ogawara army. They dress in the same fashion with Ogawara Kunoichi, but also wear a mask and long cloth. They have slightly higher health and deal more damage than the lower rank one.

Abilities and Special Moves:

Attack Parry: Ogawara Jokunoichi will enter defensive stance to use this ability. If player attack her while she's in the stance, she will parry the attack with tanto, making player opens for an upcoming attack from her ally for a few seconds.

High Jump: Able to perform high jump to reach rooftop or other high spots.

In Time of the Assassins

Kuroya Kunoichi and Kuroya Jokunoichi appear again in this game as both enemies and playable characters. In the game, Kuroya Kunoichi's name is just Kunoichi and her profile is described as one of the generic kunoichi working for their master. Kuroya Jokunoichi's name and profile stay the same as an elite kunoichi of Kuroya.

Quotes

  • "Weak." - Kunoichi's taunt
  • "What are you waiting for?" - Crow kunoichi's taunt
  • "Don't anger female ninja!" - Red kunoichi defeated player
  • "See you in hell." - Black kunoichi defeated player
  • "Is that all you got?" - Kuroya kunoichi and jokunoichi's taunt
  • "That was easy." - Kuroya kunoichi defeated player
  • "You won't escape!" - Kuroya jokunoichi using her drilling top
  • "Know your place." - Kuroya jokunoichi defeated player

Gallery

Advertisement