Sesame was used by Ninjas for their training

It is said that Ninjas used to practice jumping due to jumping over sesame plants. Some say it was hemp instead of sesame. But these traditions may be based on the swift growth of both plants. It is also said that sesame seeds, with their high nutritional value, used to be one of the handy foods Ninjas used to carry around. So it would seem that Ninjas improved their strength, endurance and jumping ability due to planting, jumping over and eating sesame.