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I was discussing with a friend, who asked me if `忍者` is also used for women,
or if `くノ一` is used/preferred. I know `者` means "person", so it seems to be
neutral; and [Weblio](https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E5%BF%8D%E8%80%85)
defines the word using `者`, which again seems to suggest it can be used for
women; but I noticed in **Basilisk** female characters are called `女忍者`.

I wasn't able to find something definite about this: can `忍者` be used for
women, or does it sound strange/wrong?

Edit: Another friend of mine said that `忍び` is used for men, but
[weblio](https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E5%BF%8D%E3%81%B3) doesn't say
anithing about that, and it being an abbreviation for `忍びの者` it does seem
neutral; not sure if it can also be used for women.
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question
word-choice words
Is 忍者/忍び also used for women?
I hate to sound realistic here, but the concept of the female ninja is
basically all fictional to begin with. If I am not mistaken (which I do not
think I am), there exists no record so far that proves the existence of a
female ninja in real life that performed the same tasks as a male ninja such
as surveillance and destruction.

That being said, the word 「忍者{にんじゃ}」 can technically refer to both male and
female ninjas **in fiction** , but when the gender is of importance to the
story, the words 「女忍者{おんなにんじゃ}」 and 「[くノ一]{くのいち}」 are often used.

The word 「くノ一」 itself is as old as you expect a Japanese word to be, but it
has only been several decades since it started to be used to refer to a female
ninja in fiction. Before that, 「くノ一」 was only a slang word for 「女」.

「く」, 「ノ」 and 「一」 are the components/strokes of the kanji 「女」. That is in the
correct stroke order, too.

In conclusion, 「忍者」, 「忍{しの}び」 and 「忍びの者{もの}」 are all gender-neutral. If the
author sees it fit, however, s/he will use 「女忍者」 or 「くノ一」 to refer to a female
ninja in fiction.
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answer