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WEAPON:
ASHIKO
DESCRIPTION:
The Ashiko were spiked claws that were worn on the feet. This
helped the Ninja climb faster and more efficiently on their
missions. As well as a great climbing aid, it could also be
used in combat to deliver deadly kicks.
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WEAPON:
BO (Staff)
DESCRIPTION:
The staff was one of the most important weapons in the ninja's
arsenal. It was generally around 6 feet in length, made of
hard wood or bamboo and was hollow. The reason for the hollow
part was another trick of the ninja trade. By flicking the
bow with great speed, the ninja could launch a poison tipped
dart or small knife out of the open end of the staff, often
catching the opponent off guard.
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BOW (Long & Short)
DESCRIPTION:
The bow and arrow was a weapon used by the ninja as well as
the samurai. There were two types of bows used, the short
bow and the long bow. The arrows were sometimes dipped in
poison to make them deadlier. Kunoichi (female ninja) were
experts with the bow and arrow.
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BOKKEN
DESCRIPTION:
A bokken is a wooden sword usually used for sword training.
When a student begins to work with a sword, he learns basic
maneuvers with a bokken. However, the bokken can also be used
as an effective weapon since it is made of strong, heavy wood.
In fact, many Ninja preferred to use the bokken on a mission
than a regular sword. The reasons for this are that a bokken
is lighter and easier to carry, there is no risk of cutting
oneself, bokken are very easy to camouflage since they can be
stained or painted, and, when using proper techniques, a bokken
can easily break bones and damage internal organs. |
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WEAPON:
CHIGIRIKI
DESCRIPTION:
This weapon is a 2 foot long straight stick, with a 2-1/2
chain attached to the top with a ball with spikes. This weapon
is considered to be the japanese morning star. The chain could
be fitted in side the stick like the Kusari-Gama/Kama, and
used as a mace.
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WEAPON:
DARTS
DESCRIPTION:
The ninja would use the poison darts differently depending
on the situation. It was not uncommon for the ninja to carry
poison darts in his mouth so they could be blown into the
enemy's face at close range. If they needed to kill someone
quietly, a dart could easily enter the body and be withdrawn
without leaving a mark. From a distance the dart could be
shot with a blowgun.
Kunoichi
(female ninja) would hide the poisonous darts in their hair.
When the victim was preoccupied with something else, the ninja
would stick them with the dart
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WEAPON:
FUKIYA
DESCRIPTION:
The fukiya, or blowgun, was a staple in the Ninja's arsenal
since it was so versatile.
The fukiya
was used to shoot darts (sometimes poisoned) at an enemy from
a distance and, since it made almost no noise, the Ninja's
hiding place wasn't threatened by using this weapon. Aside
from launching darts, the blowgun could be used as a snorkel
while the Ninja was underwater. Since the fukiya was made
of bamboo, it blended in with the reeds in the water, therefore
enabling the Ninja to stay submerged for hours, if necessary.
Metsubishi
could also be delivered through the fukiya by shooting small
paper containers filled with pepper and metal shavings at
an enemy's face.
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WEAPON:
HANBO
DESCRIPTION:
A bo 3 feet in length can be concealed as a cane. Can be used
like a bokken. May also conceal things inside, like a sword
blade or a chain.
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WEAPON:
HOKO
DESCRIPTION:
This weapon looks like a sai mounted on top of a jo. The Hoko
was mostly made out of bamboo and was a very good offensive,
as well as a very good defensive weapon. It was used in a
stabbing motion, there are some variants of this weapon.
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WEAPON:
NAGINATA & JUTTE
DESCRIPTION:
The Naginata is a long staff with a blade attached to one
end.
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WEAPON:
KAKUTE
DESCRIPTION:
The Kakute were rings that the kunoichi wore that were dipped
in poison. The rings could be made out of metals, and tempered
wood. The ninja would quietly strangle enemies with the ring
stuck in their neck. It was far less messy then using a sword,
and left very little evidence on how the victim died.
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WEAPON:
KAMA
DESCRIPTION:
Kama are the basis of the kusari-gama. Kama is just the sickle
on it's own. They are usually used in pairs and swung in various
arcs, crescents etc.
All sorts
of slashing motions combined with the forward momentum of
the ninja they can cause some devastating damage. The blade
of the Kama is roughly around 11-12 inches. The handle is
slightly longer. Original sickles had a longer blade and shorter
handle.
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WEAPON:
NEKO-TE
DESCRIPTION:
The Neko-te were usually used by the kunoichi (female ninja).
The weapon is strong iron fingernails that were fastened into
leather bands fitted on the fingers, and resembled claws (not
like that of of the shuko, ashiko) and were also dipped in
poisons. The eyes were a favorite spot for slashing.
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WEAPON:
KUSARI-GAMA
DESCRIPTION:
The Kusari-gama is a combination of a sickle (short scythe)
and a long chain with a weight attached to the end of it.
The sickle was used in a slashing or stabbing motion, as well
as used to block and hook opponents weapons. By holding the
chain portion of the weapon, the sickle could be swung around
to get a greater reach with it.
The chain
portion of the weapon was most often used for trapping an
enemy or his weapon. Once tangled up with the chain, the ninja
could finish him off with the sickle. This was a weapon the
ninja invented out of farming tools they used.
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WEAPON:
KYOKETSU-SHOGEI
DESCRIPTION:
The Kyoketsu-shogei was a knife attached to one end of a long
cord made of women's or horse hair, or sometimes chain. On
the other end of the cord was a ring. The knife could be used
in close quarters or swung around by holding on to the ring.
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WEAPON:
MANRIKI-GUSARI
DESCRIPTION:
The Manriki Gusari was a chain usually about 3 feet long,
and weighted at both ends. It was developed as a self-defence
weapon but was also a wicked offensive weapon in the hands
of a ninja. It was small and easily concealed in the palm
of the ninja's hand, or in a sash.
While
holding one end of the chain, it could be swung around and
used as a whip. The weighted end could cause a great deal
of damage.
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WEAPON:
NUNCHAKUS
DESCRIPTION:
Though not a primary weapon of the Ninja, nunchakus (also
known as "nunchucks") were used because they could
be adapted for many situations. Aside from being easy to carry,
the nunchakus were used to defend against most any weapon
from a bo to a sword. By trapping the blade of a sword with
the chain between the two sticks, a Ninja could entangle and
disarm a sword-weilding attacker.
The same
concept applies to almost every other weapon. The nunchakus
were not just used for defense, they could also be effectively
employed against an enemy in an offensive way. The Ninja could
strangle an opponent or even execute joint locks with the
chain or cord between the two sticks.
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WEAPON:
ONO
DESCRIPTION:
The Ono, or battle axe, was a very powerful weapon used to
smash through castle gates, knock opponents off their horses
or totally destroy anyone attempting to fight with a lesser
weapon. The Ono was generally 4 feet long with a heavy, oversized
steel blade.
The weight
of this weapon demanded great skill from the user in battle.
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WEAPON:
SHOBO
DESCRIPTION:
A shobo was a small weapon that was used for striking pressure
points within the body, the neck was the best place to strike.
It was a ring fitted on the middle finger and a piece of sharp/dull
wood attached, there are many variants of this weapon.
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WEAPON:
SHURIKEN
DESCRIPTION:
The Shuriken is the trade mark ninja weapon made famous by
the movies and stories about the ninja. The Shuriken was simply
a flat piece of metal with sharpened points that were thrown
at the enemy.
The Shuriken
was not originally designed as a killing weapon. It was mostly
used to distract or deter so the ninja could escape. While
in the midst of a get-away, the Shuriken could be thrown at
the samurai chasing the ninja, possibly making the samurai
think twice about continuing the chase.
Although
the Shuriken was not intended to kill, it was easily made
lethal by dipping the edges in poison. This was effective,
but sometimes it backfired when the ninja would accidentally
cut himself while digging around for it, thus poisoning himself.
Shuriken
were also designed to hit the opponent then bounce away out
of sight. This way a ninja could fool an unsuspecting guard
or sentry into believing he had been cut by an invisible swordsmen.
(One of many mental tricks)
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WEAPON:
TANTO
DESCRIPTION:
The tanto, or knife, was an important weapon in the ninja's
arsenal. Like the ninja-to, the tanto was not made of the
high quality steel that the samurai's sword was but the ninja
made up for this by using the tanto as a multi-purpose tool.
The tanto
was used to pry open doors, dig holes or small ditches, or
it could be thrown like a shuriken. Of course, the tanto was
also used to cut and stab an opponent.
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WEAPON:
SWORDS
DESCRIPTION:
The ninja sword (ninja-to) was different than that of the
samurai. The long sword that the samurai carried was made
of high-carbon steel, and took months to have made. They were
hand made specially for each samurai, taking great care to
make a very high quality sword. It was so sharp that it could
easily cut a man in two, even through their armor. The length
of the samurai swords averaged around 26 1/2 to 37 inches.
The ninja
sword was considerably shorter, only 24 inches, and the quality
of the swords was much poorer. The reason for the poorer quality
was the way they used the sword as opposed to the way the
samurai used theirs. Samurai would swing their sword, severing
limbs and slashing at the opponent. Ninja, on the other hand,
used the sword more in a stabbing motion. To use the blade
of the ninja sword effectively you would have to use a sawing
motion when the blade came in contact with the opponents flesh.
Another
reason for the poor quality of the swords is that since ninja
were mostly mountain people and outlaws, they could not afford
to hire expert sword smiths like the samurai could. Also their
own sword smiths did not have access to the right resources
to be able to make curved edge swords with well constructed
blades. If a Ninja could overcome a samurai he would take
his swords, simply because they are better.
Although
the ninja sword was smaller and poorer quality, it still had
its advantages. The scabbard for instance was made longer
than the sword, about 3 to 4 inches longer. At the end of
the scabbard there was a hidden compartment that was used
to hide small weapons such as spikes, daggers or small amounts
of poisons. Another use the sword had was that it could act
as a small step by jamming the blade into the ground, the
ninja could use the hand-guard as a step to get that extra
height needed to scale a wall. Because the blade was not very
sharp, the ninja could also use it as a hammer by holding
onto the blade (carefully) and hitting with the handle. Also
it was common to have the tip of the scabbard come off so
it could be used as a snorkel.
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WEAPON:
TESSEN
DESCRIPTION:
The Tessen was a folding fan with an iron frame and, when
folded, was used to club an enemy. A few different variations
were invented, including one with a sharp edge on the outside
of the framework so that, instead of only being able to club
a person, the ninja could cut as well.
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WEAPON:
TETSU-BISHI
DESCRIPTION:
Tetsu-bishi (also known as calthrops) are small metal weapons
shaped so that one point is always up. They, like the shuriken,
were a weapon used for distraction while fleeing. The ninja
would scatter the calthrops behind them and anyone unlucky
enough to step on them would not likely continue with the
pursuit. They could also be thrown, and dipped in poison like
the shuriken.
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WEAPON:
YARI
DESCRIPTION:
The Yari was typically 5 feet long with a 6 inch blade and
the handle often contained a hidden chain or knife.
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WEAPON:
SAI
DESCRIPTION:
The
sai was incorrectly believed to be an Okinawan tool to measure
stalks, or some even say as a pin to hold cart wheels in place,
but is better and more correctly known as a weapon. Its basic
form is that of an unsharpened dagger, but it also has two
long, unsharpened projections (tsuba) attached to the handle.The
sai's distinctive shape makes it a versatile weapon. With
skill, it can be used effectively against a long sword by
trapping the sword's blade between the sai's blade and the
tsuba and breaking it with a twist of the hand. Also, it can
be held so that the middle arm fits between the ring and middle
fingers, and used as a longer variant of brass knuckles (this
stance is only accepted in American styles).
Sai come in two traditional styles, one is just rounded arms,
still no point at the tip; or what are called octagon sai,
which have an octagonal shape on the middle arm.Traditionally,
sai were carried in threes, two at the side, as primary weapons,
and a third tucked behind, in case one was disarmed. An alternative
use of the third sai is as a throwing weapon to disarm or
distract an opponent before engaging in close combat. The
sai was the only okinawan tool designed to be a weapon only,
the rest were formed from farm tools.
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Grappling
Hook |
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Ninja
Utility Belt |
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Ninja
Key Ring |
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Kunai Knife
Currently, Kunai is commonly believed to be an ancient Japanese throwing knife. Designed as a weapon, larger than a shuriken offered increased accuracy, damage power and armour penetration when thrown, and could also be used in hand to hand combat more readily, and could even block sword blows. In addition, it could be used for climbing, as either a kind of grappling hook, or a piton.
The Kunai was a small dagger-type tool that served primarily
as a utility knife. It's secondary use was as a weapon, with
a sharp point and short handle it was a great throwing weapon.
It was also a great close combat weapon as it could be used
in very tight situations.
Some other uses for the kunai include a climing
device, a hammering tool, a make-shift spear tip just to name
a few. |
