If you've watched anime or even Japanese movies, you may have seen a character using this weapon. THE kusarigama is japanese traditional weapon sickle-shaped with a small handle and a chain.
The weapon's sickle is called a love [鎌] while the current is called a kusari [鎖] thus forming the word Kusarigama [鎖鎌]. At the end of the chain you have a dagger to hold the weapon, it seems to be 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 taken 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 this weapon varied greatly. the art of mastery kusarigamajutsu it is a combination of various styles of combat art and even martial arts. This allowed its 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 most well-known schools of japanese martial arts.
One of the most famous users of this Japanese weapon was the Yamada Shinryukan 17th century. He went on to become a noted teacher of kusarigamajutsu. He was responsible for the death of many swordsmen, due to his excellent skill with the kusarigama.
Unfortunately he was defeated by a swordsman named Araki Mataemon. This swordsman lured Professor Shinryukan to a bamboo grove. Being the thick bamboo, it limited the teacher's space to swing the weapon's chain. Taking advantage of this Mataemon took the opportunity to take down and kill Shinryukan with his sword.
Another kusarigama user (perhaps the best known) is Shishido Baiken, who lived in the Japanese Edo period. Baiken's existence is not 100% proven. Even so, they say that he was one of the most skilled with 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 know more about the fight and history of Miyamoto Musashi against Shishido Baiken, you can buy his books and manga below: (Don't worry, the Post continues)...
Other appearances of kusarigama
- in anime Naruto, the character Hanzo, a legendary ninja from the Rain Village whose main weapon is a kusarigama;
- Mayuri Kurotsuchi in the anime Bleach also wears a kusarigama, taken from the ear;
- In the game League of Legends, the characters Thresh and Akali use this weapon;
- No tokusatsu Jiban, the character Chambaranoit uses a Kusarigama as a secondary weapon;
- 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;
- in the animated film Kubo and the Magic Strings 2016, one of the villains this Japanese weapon;
- We can find this weapon in several other movies, mangas, 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.
