Watch for nine ninjas around Honolulu this weekend demonstrating dramatic ancient Japanese traditions to help lure visitors from Japan.

Hawaii Tourism Japan helped with this week's appearance of ninja performers from Iga City, a castle town in Japan that has become specialized in all things related to the ninja art.

The organization works to tempt more visitors from Japan to travel to Hawai'i for family vacations, honeymoons and other special trips.

Recent declines in numbers have been traced to fuel surcharges, the global economic slowdown and more competition from other vacation destinations.

Hawaii Tourism Japan officials said it was the first time the ninja group has come to Hawai'i to promote a historically accurate depiction of a Japanese art popular in Hawai'i and worldwide. The tourism authorities emphasize that this ninja group is faithful to the ancient traditions.

The black-clad specialists show off skills in swordplay, sickle work, juggling, throwing stars and even "piercing objects with flying chopsticks."

The children of Central Union Preschool got a good look yesterday of some fancy footwork, juggling skills and some amazing rope work.

Trip sponsors explained that ninja skills are not martial arts. "The art of making oneself invisible is unique to Japan and was developed from the art of war, which was brought to Japan around the sixth century via China and the Korean peninsula," according to a spokesman for the Iga-Ueno Tourist Association.

The troupe will appear at noon today at Ala Moana Center's centerstage; and tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, and back at Ala Moana at 4 p.m.

The town in Japan's Mie Prefecture hosts the leading Igaryu Ninja Museum, has preserved samurai residences and is also the birthplace of master haiku poet Basho Matsuo, who lived from 1644 to 1694.