Weapons History

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ARROWS

Oriental arrows come in a number of different shapes and styles. The most common type has the normal wedge-shaped head. The armour peircer has a narrow spike-head and is designed to punch through different types of armour. The frog crotch arrowhead forms a V, the inner edge that is sharp. These are used to cut standards, armour cords, and inflict terrible wounds on things caught between the jaws. The humming bulb arrow is fitted with a carved woodenhead that whistles loudly when fired. The sound can be heard up to one mile away and it was often used for signalling, it was sometimes fitted with oil soaked cloth or straw to allow its use as a fire arrow. The leaf head arrow is fitted with a broad head designed to cause greater injury. These arrowheads were often carved with elaborate designs, making them works of art themselves.

CHO-KO-NU

The chu-ko-nu is a repeating light crossbow, capable of firing several bolts before needing reloading. Mounted on the top is a magazine that can hold up to 10 quarrels. The cocking and reloading action is worked by a single lever, pushed forward and then pulled back. This allows a faster rate of fire than its western counterpart. Up to two quarrels can be reloaded in the magazine, and it was common for competitions to be held on the quickness of reloading. It is heavier than a western crossbow and has a poorer range.

DAIKYU

This is the largest type of bow found in the world. In some ways, it is similar to the longbow. It varies in length from five feet to eight feet long and bent at the ends for greater power. Unlike most bows, the grip (nigiri) is not centred, being closer to the bottom. This allows the bow to be fired from horseback and kneeling positions. The use of this weapon is now widely practised as the art of Kyudo where great emphasis is placed on meditating on the target and less on the warfare usage.

FANG

A fang is a heavy iron weapon, modelled on the elephant goad. It is about the length of a short sword. On the end is a sharp point with a heavy hooked point below it. Used much like the Lian (sickle) this weapon was around 10 times as heavy and required strength training to use.

JITTE

Also known as jittei, jutte, or jutta, this 15-inch Japanese weapon usually consists of an iron or steel rod, a long hilt, and a characteristically square hook jutting from the rod at the hilt. It is often fitted with a guard (tsuba) and a scabbard; in certain rare cases it is even mounted as a sword, complete with blade. Some sources report it is carried hanging from the belt or in a scabbard inserted in the waistband or sash; others claim it is generally hung from the wrist by a cord tied to a ring on the hilt.
The jitte’s origins are unclear: Okinawan and Japanese provenance are both claimed. Whatever its origins, this weapon gave rise to a sophisticated method of combat known in Japan as jittejutsu. Its techniques included parries, blows and thrusts, and on occasion the weapon was hurled. The hilt of the jitte could also be used with devastating effect in delivering reverse blows to maim or even kill an unwary opponent.
Mastery of jittejutsu depended upon skill in the art of displacement, called tai-sabaki (body movement), which made it possible for an expert to change positions quickly, sliding or whirling away from an opponent, whose reach normally extended to the tip of his long sword. Since the techniques of kenjutsu (art of the sword) are numerous, the techniques of jittejutsu of necessity had to be sufficiently inclusive to cover all threatening contingencies.
Official use of the jitte was restricted to police officers of the feudal era, for whom it was a symbol of position. Warriors were said to have dutifully acknowledged the efficiency of this instrument, which, in the hands of experts, could snap a steel blade, or send it whirling away. The techniques utilised could be credited with the modern self-defence weapon the Kobutan

KATANA

The katana is a single-edged slightly curved sword ending in a chisel point. It evolved gradually from the normal sword and is noted for its superior construction and design. It is perhaps one of the finest types of swords made. Great care is taken in making the katana and the forging and construction of it is considered a rare and valuable art. The weapon-smith must labour long hours to achieve the correct temper of the blade. When correctly made, the blade is light, well balanced, and combines great strength and with flexibility and resilience. The quality of the metal and forging allows the blade to be ground to a razor sharp edge. In addition, such blades are often crafted beautifully with etched designs, prayer of family lineages. Equal attention is also given to the hilt, guard, and scabbard of the weapon. Katanas often have individual names, reflecting deeds of glory in which it has been used. For the samurai, the katana is more than just a sword; it is part of his honour and the honour of his family. It is his personal weapon, not to be used by others. To touch the scabbard of the sheathed katana is to insult the samurai. To draw blade without permission is an insult. A single katana may have been in the same family for generations, becoming a treasured heirloom. To loose such a weapon is a shameful disgrace that can only be swept clean by the recovery of the weapon and the punishment of those who have taken it. Many samurai have given their lives to recover the family's weapon. The value of a katana can vary greatly, depending on the quality of workmanship and the history of the weapon. The application of the katana is based on only two cuts and the variation thereof; this requires purity of thought and methodical precision. Many arts have derived from this weapon, most notably Kendo and Iaido; also modern Jodo is often credited to the katana. It was well established in ancient times that gifts to the gods must possess three very important elements: purity, rarity and value. The Japanese sword was believed to have all three of these characteristics, and it was not uncommon to dedicate one as a votive offering in religious ceremonies. Ancient records reveal that the first such offering was made to the deities around 3 B.C. Later, when the sword symbolized the samurai code, it acquired even richer spiritual qualities. The legendary sword smith Amakuni is supposed to have forged the first curved sword blade about AD.700. The straight-edged blades had been chiefly used for stabbing, but cavalry was becoming increasingly more important in battle at this time, and the horseman wanted a weapon designed for slashing. Yatsutsuna is the first authentic sword smith whose name has been documented. He worked around A.D 900 and the blades he created were so superb that the Japanese sword has changed little since his time.
As in almost every aspect of Japanese culture, China also influenced the Japanese sword. The shapes, as well as the names of Japanese swords, are related, directly or indirectly, to Chinese sources. The ancient Chinese ideograms for Jian (double-edged sword) and Dao (single-edged sword or knife) are considered semantic and phonic roots of both the Japanese renditions “ken” and “to,” which were to evolve into “katana” – the Japanese reading of Dao that supplanted the more ancient rendition “to.” Placed together, in reverse order, the Japanese “to-ken” was also a general term for all types of swords.

The bushi usually carried two swords: the long sword, or katana, and the short sword, called wakizashi. These were the two blades (daisho) that the bushi alone was privileged by law to wear and employ, and they symbolized his position in Japanese society. The long sword, ranging from the long nodachi or dai-katana to the standard-sized katana, measured 2 feet or more in length. This was the weapon used for close-quarter combat. The short sword or wakizashi measured from 16 inches to 20 inches and could be used in combat as an auxiliary weapon or for other purposes, such as beheading an enemy or performing ritual suicide. Both were worn on the left side and secured at the waist to facilitate quick and easy draw. In later periods, both blades were thrust through the waist sash, edge upward, the katana on the left side and the wakizashi across the stomach
The wakizashi seldom left the bushi’s belt for any reason; the katana could be removed when custom required: when at home, while visiting another bushi’s home, or within the confines of the ruling lord’s palace.
Considering the exaggerated veneration in which the native katana has been held from the earliest times, it is not surprising that the occupation of sword smith should have been regarded in feudal days as an honourable profession. Casting of the sword blade was even considered a religious ceremony, complete with traditional costume. The forging of blades was surrounded with ritual secrecy, and technical details were passed down from father to son. In fact, the personality of the individual smith was thought to be reflected or animistic ally embodied in the blades he forged.
It is not surprising, then, considering the importance of this weapon in the eyes of the samurai, that the capacity to read a blade, seeing and knowing the marks that indicate its maker and age, became a highly sophisticated art, requiring special facilities and knowledge, and long experience.
It was believed a great sword smith imbued his swords with qualities beyond the physical. A fine sword was thought to have a character of its own, and a samurai who owned such a sword had to live up to it. More than an instrument of killing, it was an instrument to lead the samurai who owned it to spiritual enlightenment. A Japanese proverb states, “katana wa no tamashii”: The sword is the soul of the samurai.
Regarded as a treasured family heirloom, the sword was carefully preserved and passed on to each succeeding generation. Even in modern times, these swords have been carried into battle by officers and men of the Japanese armed services. Outlooks differ regarding the swords that were confiscated during the tenure of the Allied Occupation in Japan after World War II. Many American soldiers thought they were collecting mere war souvenirs and seldom understood or suspected the value and deep meaning of the swords. Eventually, most of the confiscated swords that had been collected en masse and which were know to have special artistic or historical value were returned the their original owners to be preserved as objects d’art.
The Japanese sword lost much of its prestige as a sidearm after World War II, but it still remains the most finely wrought steel weapon in the world. The legendary Damascus and Toledo blades or the Excalibur of English literature diminish when compared with the craftsmanship and quality invested in the ritual manufacture of the Japanese sword. In 1965 a museum of Japanese swords was founded in Tokyo. There is also a Japanese society for preserving swords of beauty

KAWANAGA

The kawanaga is both a tool and a weapon. It is a length of rope with a grappling hook at one end and a weight at the other. It can be used for climbing or as a weapon, by swinging the hook or the weight at the opponent. In addition, the rope can be used to entangle an opponent. This type of weapon is popular with ninjas, since it has several uses and is easily concealed.

KISERU

The kawanaga is both a tool and a weapon. It is a length of rope with a grappling hook at one end and a weight at the other. It can be used for climbing or as a weapon, by swinging the hook or the weight at the opponent. In addition, the rope can be used to entangle an opponent. This type of weapon is popular with ninjas, since it has several uses and is easily concealed.

KUMADE

The kumade is a dual-purpose tool. It is a long wooden shaft with a rake-head fitted at one end. It can be used for climbing by setting the rake prongs in a crack, ledge, or sill and climbing up the pole. It can also be used as a weapon. Since it has a multiple uses and can be carried without arousing suspicion, it was a common item for the ninja and Yakuza to use.

KUSARI-GAMA

The kusari-gama is a development of the common Japanese kama (sickle), designed for more fighting purposes. It is a kama with a length of weighted chain attached to the butt end of the handle. It can be used in several ways. The user can attack with the kama in hand, he can club and entangle with the weighted chain, or he can whirl the kama at the end of the chain. This weapon is relatively easy to make and was favoured by both peasants and ninjas. Another favoured fighting method of the kusarigama, which was a long-range blade and chain weapon. A ninja could hurl the chain with its weighted end at an enemy from a safe distance, entangle him and then move in close with the sickle-shaped blade and cut him to pieces.

KYOKETSU-SHOGI

A similar weapon to that of the kusarigama, but used much earlier in ninja history, was the kyoketsu shoge. This had a hook blade with an 18-foot-long (5.5 m) length of cord attached to it, with an iron ring fastened on to the opposite end. It was used exclusively by the ninja, and here again the long cord could be put to use in a hundred other ways when not being used as a weapon the rope can be swung to attack with the blade or weight, snapped around the feet or arms to entangle, thrown like a bola, or held while striking with the knife. Although the rope is far easier to cut or break than a chain, the weapon is often used by ninjas since it is almost silent when employed. It is easy to conceal and if often worn as a belt or under a sash.

LAJATANG

This rare and unusual weapon is only found in the hands of martial artists skilled in its use. It consists of a three to five foot shaft with a crescent blade fitted at each end. Some have barbs sticking out from the edges. It is used in the same fashion as a two-headed halberd and is considered as a cousin of the traditional wooden staff.

MANCATCHER

A man catcher is a two-pronged pole arm. Each prong is curved to encircle a humanoid creature of man size. It is not used for large wild animals. The man catcher has spikes and sharpened edges to both damage the opponent and prevent the use of hands and arms. Anyone caught in a man catcher is less likely to escape the more they struggle. Furthermore, the victim can be pulled and pushed with it. With a technique often used to pull the victim off his feet, either to a kneeling or prone position. A common tactic with this weapon was to capture the victim and then to jerk him off his feet or horse, pressing the pole down to pin the neck to the ground. In such position, the captive was virtually helpless.

METSUBISHI

This small wooden device is used to blow a puff of powder in the opponents face. It has a mouthpiece at one end, a chamber for holding the powder, and a small tube at the other end. Blowing hard through the mouthpiece forces the powder out the tube, possibly in the face of the victim. The metsubishi does no damage, but can be used to blow irritating or blinding powders at the victim. The most common powders are pepper, ashes, and dust. It was often used by ninjas for distraction and escape and by city constables when attempting to capture a criminal. It added to the myth that ninjas could disappear in a puff of smoke.

NAGINATA

A Scimitarlike blade, 3 feet in length, fixed to a slightly longer shaft. From the 11th century, when the Monamoto and the Taira clans started their long struggle, the naginata became popular among military men because of its combined powers of cutting and thrusting. Early naginata consisted simply of a blade and shaft, a handguard was added later. Double-edged blades and blades set at right angles (jumon-ji naginata) became the most popular type.
There were three major forms; the first appears to have been the ancient tsukushi-naginata, whose shaft was inserted into a metal loop on the back of the blade; the second, and most common, was secured to the shaft; and the third, and rarest, had a socket at the base into which the shaft was inserted (ta-no-saki). Their shafts were heavily lacquered and decorated with metal fittings. The naginata is usually employed with propellerlike slashes directed to all parts of the enemy’s anatomy. From a safe distance the naginata could keep a sword-bearing enemy at bay. It is believed that the introduction of protective armour for the legs and lower part of the body was owed to the effectiveness of the naginata.
During the Muromachi Period (1392-1573) hundreds of styles of naginata developed, but, with the arrival of firearms in 1542 began a decline. By 1600 it was relegated to a symbolic position.
The naginata, interestingly enough, was also referred to as the “woman’s spear,” because women of the Japanese military class were expected to have perfected its use by age 18. Even in modern Japan, it is said there are few more graceful or interesting spectacles than the manipulation of this weapon by an expert female fencer. Today women practice it as a sport and a form of physical education.

NEKODE/SHUKO

Also called shuko, this is another dual-purpose ninja tool. Its primary purpose is to assist in climbing, by jamming the spikes into the cracks to give a better grip. The ninja of Japan wore these brass knuckles, which were made of a metal plate adorned with four spikes extending from the palm. There were also placed on the feet if grip was needed. Not always a weapon this has evolved from a tool used for bringing in fishnets.

NINJA-TO

Perhaps the most readily identifiable weapon of the ninja was his sword or shinobikatana. The ninja sword was totally different to that of the samurai’s beloved weapon. It was generally short (about 20 inches – 50 cm – in length), having a single-edged straight blade with an oversized hand guard (tsuba). Because the blade was short the ninja could strap it to his back and thus keep his hands free. If he were suddenly attacked the sword could be unsheathed whilst still on his back and put quickly into action. The low ceiling in Japanese houses prohibited a very long sword being drawn in this manner, but a short, straight 20-inch blade proved to be no problem.
Everything about the ninja’s sword was a veritable box of tricks. The scabbard was longer than the blade by about 3 inches (7.5 cm). This extra space allowed the ninja to store poisons, powdered medicines and flash powders in its detachable bottom. If he was pursued by enemy soldiers he could remove this lower piece of the scabbard, dive into a river or lake and use the hollow scabbard to breathe through. Over and over again, tricks such as these not only confused the enemy but also laid the foundation for ninja being thought of, as superhuman spirits that could disappear at will.
The long cord used for strapping on the sword could be put to a multitude of uses, for instance as a rope to tie up a prisoner or in conjunction with the extra large hand guard for helping the ninja over some high obstacle such as a castle wall. Stepping onto the sword’s tsuba, this extra leg-up could then be aided by the ninja hurling the rope over a parapet and pulling him up with it. In the forest he could snare small game using the cord as a slipknot noose.
The sword had a very different meaning for the ninja than it did for the samurai. The samurai carried two swords, which, along with his top-knotted hair, was the mark of a warrior. His trusty daishio (swords) were made from high-grade carbon steel and each had taken months to make by skilled sword smiths, who hammered and folded and hammered again the edge of the blade until it contained hundreds of layers of finely forged steel. The reverence a samurai placed upon such a weapon was little short of worship. His blade was his very being, his honour, and his code, even his soul. The ninja’s sword, on the other hand, had a blade that was of very poor quality and dull in comparison to the razor sharp edge of the samurai blade. It resembled nothing more than a short piece of sharpened iron with a handle and was crudely forged using less than ideal materials. The finished product often had a tendency to break. To the ninja, his sword was just another tool of the trade.

PARANG

In the Malay world, swords have a double function, they can either be a warrior's weapon or an all purpose utility tool. Swords have different shape and use; they can be divided in four major types. Parang is a generic term used all over the archipelago to describe any type of single edge chopping weapon. Usually a kind of machete used for hunting or moving in the jungle.
It was commonly found in the hands of primitive Japanese tribesman, who used it for everything and were seldom found without it. The Japanese parang is a heavy bladed machete capable of delivering chopping blows of great force. It is thought that it is one of the earliest weapons found in Japan.

PELLET BOW

This weapon is almost identical in construction and use to a normal bow. However, instead of firing a normal arrow, it has a small sling in the bowstring for holding a small stone or pellet of clay or lead. The firing style is different from that of a normal bow. The pellet can be fired with more force than a sling. The use of this weapon was restricted to non-samurai classes in feudal Japan (as they were not allowed to use a Daikyu).

SANG KAUW

This martial weapon comes in two forms. The first form is a double-headed spear with a loop handle in the centre with a dagger or crescent potruding from it. The weapon is used with one hand to parry and attack. Its second form is identical in appearance except that a small buckler (shield) is fitted to the centre with a dagger blade protruding from it. When the second form is used it requires a more defense like mentality. In either form the weapon requires diligent practice to use effectively.

SHURIKEN/SHAKEN

The shuriken is a small throwing weapon. It comes in various shapes and sizes, the two most common being the star and the spiked form. Stars have three or more razor edged points, ensuring that at least one will strike the victim when thrown, they come in a variety of sizes and are designed based on specific traditions. Spikes are large pins (much like the modern throwing knife) tapering to sharp points. Contrary to popular belief these are short ranged weapons designed to be thrown by hand at a distance not exceeding ten feet. They are useful because they can be tipped with poison and very easily concealed in clothing or worn in the hair.
The shaken is similar to shuriken and is used in the same way. They come in many different shapes and are thrown from short range.
The shaken are Small, multipointed throwing weapons, such as dirks, darts, stars, etc. They vary in design from three to ten points. These weapons were an integral part of a ninja’s arsenal. Most shakens were aimed at the eyes, temple, throat, and arms to slow an attacker.

SIANGKAM

This weapon hardly looks useful at all and can only be used effectively by a character trained in the proper martial arts style. The siangkam looks like a metal-shafted arrow with a small wooden handle replacing the feathers. It is normally used in pairs, one for each hand. The siangkam can be used to jab, thrust, slash and parry. It cannot be thrown effectively. Even though it has an appearance of an arrow. Its use is similar to the Chinese Ermei-ci (found in pakua), and therefore it is an excellent close range weapon.

SODE GARAMI

The sode garami, or sleeve entangler, is a highly specialised weapon. It is used to catch and entangle an opponent without causing great harm. It is normally made as a pole and crossbar set with a large number of spikes and hooks. When used successfully, it hooks and catches the clothing of the opponent who is then captured and rendered impotent without being hurt (inline with Buddhist beliefs). When used specifically to catch the opponent, the sode garami does no damage. However, forceful blows can also be struck with the weapon, resulting in a versatile tool. This weapon was often carried by palace guards or city constables (much like the big sweeper). Sodegarami is also the name of an intertwining sleeve choke used by some jujutsu schools.

TETSU-BISHI

Tetsu-bishi are small caltrops, not melee or thrown weapons. The tetsu-bishi is a ball or four-sided diamond of spikes, designed so that no matter how it lands at least one spike is pointing upwards. They are used to stop or slow the movement of men and animals by making the ground extremely dangerous to walk on. Because of the way they are designed, they cannot be thrown at an opponent for any good effect. Rather, they are cast on the ground at the feet of an opponent when being pursued. They are greatly favoured by ninjas since they can allow a quick and unpursued escape. They can be common natural items with spike filled casings. These vicious weapons were especially effective to slow a pursuing enemy. Since no matter which way they landed, one spine always pointed upwards, the pursuers, who generally wore straw sandals, were constantly harried. These caltrops also were sprinkled around an encampment or castle wall to prevent an enemy’s stealthy approach.

TETSUBO

The Tetsubo, or iron-shod rod, is the Japanese version of the mace. It is a long wooden rod, wielded with two hands, the upper half of which is covered with studded iron strips. Buddhist priests and wanderers often use it, since it can also serve as a walking stick and is also blunt (in keeping with no drawing of blood doctrines). This is one of the early weapons transferred from the Asian continent to Japan. The tetsubo, or iron staff, came in various shapes and lengths, with circular, hexagonal, or octagonal cross-sections. Its systematic use was known as tetsubo-jutsu. The tetsubo could be employed mounted or afoot, but only the strongest warriors were able to become proficient in its use.

UCHI-NE

This is a short, heavy javelin that looks like a miniature arrow. It can be thrown effectively for short distances or used for thrusting and jabbing. They were often carried by Daimyo when travelling and were ornate in appearance.

WAKIZASHI

This is a short sword, similar in design and construction to the katana. Like the katana, the wakizashi may be named for some past deed or event. It holds almost as important a place in a samurai's honour as his katana. Those rules and guidelines concerning the katana and its care also apply to the wakizashi when it is part of a matched set. The samurai normally wears the wakizashi and the katana as a pair. This is known as daisho, or 'long and short'. Indeed, in the history of Japan the two weapons were a sign of the samurai's status. Only samurai were allowed to wear them both. Should others disobey this law they would be subject to arrest or immediate execution for presuming a rank they have no right to hold. Although a short sword the wakizashi is not used in an underhand way and utilises the same precision of movement as the katana. It was about 16” to 20” long and as well as its use in combat, the wakisashi was also used to commit Seppuku (ritual suicide).