Kusarigama

Akusarigama(Japanese:Khóa liêm,lit. "chain-sickle")is a traditional Japaneseweaponthat consists of akama(theJapaneseequivalent of a sickle or billhook) on akusari-fundo– a type of metal chain (kusari) with a heavy iron weight (fundo) at the end. Thekusarigamais said to have been developed during theMuromachi period.The art of handling the kusarigama is calledkusarigamajutsu.

History

The researcherNawa Yumiobelieves that thekusarigamawas based on thejingama,a tool that resembles a sickle, which was used to cut through a horse's ropes in the case of a fire. Thejingamacould also be used as a weapon and according to Nawa, the tool might have been combined with akonpi(Côn phi),which is a chain that contained a weighted end and a chain around the user's wrist. People would wield the weapons with both hands to protect their horses against criminals. Another theory is that thekusarigamais based on thetobiguchi(ja: Diều khẩu), which is a type of axe that had a "stout haft and a short pick-like blade".^[1]

There is no evidence of thekusarigamabeing used as a battlefield weapon in mass combat. Swinging its long chain could endanger allies and it would be ineffective against armor. The weapon is at its most useful when wielded against an opponent who attacks with a sword; it is not as useful against a longer weapon such as a spear, anaginata,or abō.^[1]Perhaps, it was carried as a backup weapon, being light weight and compact. It is likely that thekusarigamawas common during theEdo period,used against swordsmen and as a training weapon, but it was first created during theMuromachi period.^[1]^[2]

From the 12th century, until the time of theTokugawa shogunate,many fighters specialized in the use of the weapon. One of these fighters wasYamada Shinryukan,a man who defeated many swordsmen; he was trapped in abamboogrove byAraki Mataemonand killed. Yamada did not have enough room in the bamboo grove to swing around the chain of hiskusarigama.^[3]The weapon has been used byninja.^[4]Thekusarigamahas also been used as a "plaything for warriors with time on their hands, and a means of attracting rural students who wished to do something unique in their local festivals".^[1]Samurai womenused the weapon as well.^[5]

The schools ofkenjutsu,jūjutsu,andnaginatajutsutaughtkusarigamajutsu,the art of handling thekusarigama.It combined the aspects ofkamajutsu,kusarijutsu,andfundojutsu.Kamajutsurefers to thekama(sickle),kusarijutsurefers to the chain, andfundojutsurefers to the weight.^[6]Kusari-fundorefers to the chain combined with the iron weight.^[7]^[1]

A handle of akusarigamais surrounded byraden,which is a lacquer wood inlay that contains pieces ofmother-of-pearl.The handle often has metal bands or strips for reinforcement at either end.^[8]

Ellis Amdur’s bookOld School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditionsretells a myth about the origin of thekusarigama.In the story, a farmer who used a farming sickle to cut his rice plants was attacked by asamurai.The farmer used the sickle with a chain attachment to defeat the warrior. According to Amdur, trapping an opponent with the chain is not effective, and a farmer's sickle would be an awkward weapon. He also states that there is no evidence for peasant use of thekusarigamaor that it was derived from a farmer's tool.^[1]However,Donn F. Draegermentions in his bookComprehensive Asian Fighting Artsthat the sickle, referring to thekama,was originally used for agriculture and later became used as a weapon.^[9]

Methods of use

Attacking with the weapon usually entailed swinging the weighted chain in a large circle over one's head, and then whipping it forward to entangle an opponent's spear, sword, or other weapon, or immobilizing their arms or legs. This allows the kusarigama user to easily rush forward and strike with the sickle.^[10]

There are three types ofkusarigama.The first type has a weapon in the shape of a sickle that has a chain attached to the end of its shaft. The use of the first type depends on theryū(school), with the weapon being held in either hand and its chain and weight being held in the other hand to be swung at the other person. Depending on how easy it is to see the weapon's weight move, "it can be deflected or blocked". One hit with thekusarigamais typically not able to stop someone from attacking and the weight needs to be "reeled in" by the wielder again so that a second attack can be made. The second type ofkusarigamahas the chain "attached at the base of the blade" and it is much more powerful than the first type. The second type allows the wielder to use quick attacks and it can continue to be used if the weapon is deflected. It only takes one hand to operate the second type and the other hand can be used for another form of combat. The third type "has a straight blade, hafted at right angles, with a handguard set at the blade side". The chain is attached to the weapon's base and it is controlled with both hands, similar to the first type ofkusarigama.^[1]

Modern use

Issue 9 ofThis Is JapanbyThe Asahi Shimbunstated, "Maybe, the most unusual Japanese martial art is that which employs thekusarigama.The fact that it has survived through history gives mute testimony to its effectiveness. Yet, the casual observer, untrained in its use, would be apt to regard it as a foolish toy. "^[11]A book byTadashi Yamashitathat teaches people how to use theOkinawan kusarigamawas advertised in the magazineBlack Beltin the 1980s.^[12]^[13]

Legality

In theRepublic of Ireland,thekusarigamais classified as an illegal offensive weapon. TheFirearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990in Ireland does not allow thekusarigama,and other similar weapons, to be manufactured, imported, or sold. These actions can result in imprisonment for up to seven years.^[14]

References

^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^gEllis Amdur(31 December 2014).Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions.Freelance Academy Press. pp. 118–122.ISBN 978-1-937439-47-7.
^Karl F. Friday;Seki Humitake (1 July 1997).Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture.University of Hawaii Press. p. 122.ISBN 978-0-8248-6332-6.
^Oscar Ratti; Adele Westbrook (20 December 2011).Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan.Tuttle Publishing. p. 275.ISBN 978-1-4629-0254-5.
^Donn F. Draeger; Robert W. Smith (1980).Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.Kodansha International. p. 127.ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.
^Hosey, Timothy (December 1980)."Masters of Broom and Sword".Black Belt.Vol. 18, no. 10. pp. 45–8.
^Serge Mol (2003).Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.Kodansha International. p. 146.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.
^Active Interest Media, Inc. (May 1992).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 30.
^Don Cunningham (21 August 2012).Samurai Weapons: Tools of the Warrior.Tuttle Publishing. p. 31.ISBN 978-1-4629-0749-6.
^Donn F. Draeger; Robert W. Smith (1980).Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.Kodansha International. p. 67.ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.
^Oscar Ratti; Westbrook, A. (1991).Secrets of the Samurai; A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan.C. E. Tuttle. p. 317.ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7.
^This is Japan.Asahi Shimbun Newspaper Publishing Company. 1962. p. 212.
^Active Interest Media, Inc. (March 1987).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 75.
^Active Interest Media, Inc. (September 1986).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 108.
^"Frequently Asked Questions".Dublin Department of Justice.25 January 2019.RetrievedDecember 29,2020.

External links

Media related toKusarigamaat Wikimedia Commons

[Amdur2014-1] ^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^gEllis Amdur(31 December 2014).Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions.Freelance Academy Press. pp. 118–122.ISBN 978-1-937439-47-7.

[2] Karl F. Friday;Seki Humitake (1 July 1997).Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture.University of Hawaii Press. p. 122.ISBN 978-0-8248-6332-6.

[3] Oscar Ratti; Adele Westbrook (20 December 2011).Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan.Tuttle Publishing. p. 275.ISBN 978-1-4629-0254-5.

[4] Donn F. Draeger; Robert W. Smith (1980).Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.Kodansha International. p. 127.ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.

[5] Hosey, Timothy (December 1980)."Masters of Broom and Sword".Black Belt.Vol. 18, no. 10. pp. 45–8.

[6] Serge Mol (2003).Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.Kodansha International. p. 146.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.

[7] Active Interest Media, Inc. (May 1992).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 30.

[8] Don Cunningham (21 August 2012).Samurai Weapons: Tools of the Warrior.Tuttle Publishing. p. 31.ISBN 978-1-4629-0749-6.

[9] Donn F. Draeger; Robert W. Smith (1980).Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.Kodansha International. p. 67.ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.

[10] Oscar Ratti; Westbrook, A. (1991).Secrets of the Samurai; A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan.C. E. Tuttle. p. 317.ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7.

[11] This is Japan.Asahi Shimbun Newspaper Publishing Company. 1962. p. 212.

[12] Active Interest Media, Inc. (March 1987).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 75.

[13] Active Interest Media, Inc. (September 1986).Black Belt.Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 108.

[14] "Frequently Asked Questions".Dublin Department of Justice.25 January 2019.RetrievedDecember 29,2020.

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