Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the succession and supply sources of ninjas by taking
up the Honda clan as an example of research on ninja family succession. The basic historical
material used was the “Honda-ke Okazaki-han Bungencho,” a collection of ancestral writings of
vassals who served the Honda clan. From the analysis results of this book, it became clear that
（00 years after the start of the succession, it was impossible for even the ninja family to survive
without the succession by adoptive children, just like a general samurai. In addition, it was found
that there were many cases where ninjas were transferred to other departments due to role
changes, and it became clear that it was difficult to continue to inherit the duties of ninjas.
A study on the source of ninja revealed that many of the ninja who served the Honda clan
were recruited from Mikawa Province, the hometown of Honda Tadakatsu, the Honda clan’s
transfer territory, and the former territory. In addition, it was newly found that many of the
adopted children of ninjas were from Ashigaru, Doshin, and the sons of their colleagues.
