If you've ever watched anime or even Japanese movies, you may have seen a character using this weapon. The kusarigama is a traditional Japanese sickle-shaped weapon with a small handle and a chain.
The weapon's scythe is called kama [鎌] while the chain is called kusari [鎖] thus forming the word Kusarigama [鎖鎌]. At the end of the chain there's a dagger to hold the weapon, which looks quite dangerous to use.
The kusarigama should not be confused with a scythe used by farmers, especially in Feudal Japan. The kusarigama could not be used or carried openly. The weapon has been developed and used since the Muromachi period, which began around 1330.
Not just anyone could and could handle this weapon well. So much so that the use of this weapon is compared to an art, this one was called kusarigamajutsu. If handling a Nunchaku is difficult enough, what about a scythe at the end and a long chain.
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The Art of Kusarigama
The methods of using and fighting with this weapon varied greatly. The art of mastery kusarigamajutsu is a combination of various styles of combat art and even martial arts. This allowed the wielder to quickly change tactics depending on the opportunity or need faced.
This weapon's basic attack was to swing the chain, with iron weight at the tip, in circles above the user's head. After this movement, the chain was thrown forward, with the aim of ensnaring the opponent's weapon. Another objective was immobilize the legs or arms of enemies. This allowed the approach for the attack with the scythe.
Unlike what is often shown in movies and anime, kusarigama users do not throw the scythe at enemies. For, in a practical way, throwing the scythe is not at all effective. It would be very difficult for this move to damage the target, it could come back and damage the user.
Another way to attack using the kusarigama was to throw the iron weight directly at the opponent. This weight could have spikes or even small claws. This caused serious and even fatal injuries to enemies. Another advantage of this weapon was that when thrown, the wielder could easily retrieve it by pulling the chain.
The popularization and curiosities of Kusarigama
The fame and increased use of kusarigama came in the 12th century in Feudal Japan. It was so popular that the art of handling kusarigama was soon spread by the Kohga Ha Kurokawa Ryu, one of the oldest and best-known schools of Japanese martial arts.
One of the most famous users of this Japanese weapon was the 17th century Yamada Shinryukan. He eventually became a noted teacher of kusarigamajutsu. He was responsible for the deaths of many swordsmen due to his excellent skill with the kusarigama.
Unfortunately, he was defeated by a swordsman called Araki Mataemon. This swordsman lured Professor Shinryukan into a bamboo grove. As the bamboo was thick, it limited the space for the teacher to swing the weapon's chain. Taking advantage of this, Mataemon seized the opportunity to strike down and kill Shinryukan with his sword.
Another user of the kusarigama (perhaps the best known) is Shishido Baiken, who lived during Japan's Edo period. Baiken's existence is not 100% proven. Even so, it is said that he was one of the most skilled with the kusarigama.
Unfortunately he died in a battle against the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. The samurai threw a knife, out of range of Baiken's weapon. The knife hit Baiken, who knocked him down, so Musashi slashed at him with a sword.
Shishido Baiken was portrayed in the Vagabond manga, which sold over 82 million copies worldwide. He also appeared in games like Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! from SEGA for PS3 and in the game Guilty Gear.
If you want to learn more about the fight and history of Miyamoto Musashi against Shishido Baiken, you can buy his books and manga below: (Wait, the article continues)...
Other appearances of kusarigama
- In the anime Naruto, the character Hanzou, a legendary ninja from the Rain Village, has a kusarigama as his main weapon;
- Mayuri Kurotsuchi no anime Bleach também usa uma kusarigama, retirada da orelha;
- No jogo League of Legends, os personagens Thresh e Akali utilizam essa arma;
- No Tokusatsu Jiban, o personagem Chambaranoit utiliza como arma secundaria uma Kusarigama;
- In games like Kingdom Under Fire, Shadow Fight 2 and 3, Kingdom Under Fire, Nioh, and several others, the kusarigama can be used as a playable weapon.
- No filme de animação Kubo e as Cordas Mágicas de 2016, uma das vilãs essa arma japonesa;
- We can find this weapon in several other movies, manga, anime, and games;
Below see a video of how a real fight with Kusarigama works:
What did you think of the Japanese sickle-shaped weapon? Did you know this weapon? If you liked the article, don't forget to share and leave your comments.
