Kusarigama at Iwakuni Castle

Kusari-gama (Alt. Kasurigama, Nagegama) is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of kama (the Japanese equivalent of a scythe) on a metal chain with a heavy iron weight at the end. Though the kusari-gama is derived from a farmer's scythe, and though the scythe was often carried as a weapon by farmers during the feudal era of Japan, it is important to note that these farmers did not carry kusari-gama. Its purpose as a weapon was very obvious, so unlike a scythe, it could not be carried openly. The art of handling the Kusarigama is called Kusarigamajutsu. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 346 KB) A kusarigama, as on display in Iwakuni Castle, Japan photographer = uploader File links The following pages link to this file: Kusarigama ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 346 KB) A kusarigama, as on display in Iwakuni Castle, Japan photographer = uploader File links The following pages link to this file: Kusarigama ... Categories: Stub | Castles in Japan ... For other uses, see Weapon (disambiguation). ... Kamas. ... A traditional wooden scythe A scythe (IPA: , most likely from Old English siðe, sigði) is an agricultural hand tool for mowing and reaping grass or crops. ... Kusarigamajutsu is the art of using the Japanese weapon Kusarigama. ...

The kanji for kusarigama (鎖鎌) is 鎖=kusari=chain 鎌=kama=scythe

Method 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 his arms or legs. This allows the kusari-gama user to easily rush forward and strike with the scythe.

A kusari-gama wielder might also strike with the spinning weighted end of the chain directly, causing serious or deadly injury to his opponent while still outside the range of the opponent's sword or spear.

Kusari-gama have also been employed as anti-siege weapons, with the chain allowing the weapon to be retrieved after it was thrown downwards at an attacking force. A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition, often accompanied by an assault. ...

Many fictional accounts of kusari-gama sometimes show fighters swinging the scythe with the chain, rather than the weighted end. Though entertaining, this is usually not a proper use of the weapon, as the scythe is likely to bounce off a target without causing much injury. One of the only few exceptions to this is the Houten Ryu discipline of the kusari-gama.

Historical accounts of kusarigama

According to some accounts, the Kusarigama is a weapon that is well-suited against swords and spears. Records show that the kusari-gama was extremely popular in feudal Japan, with many schools teaching it, from about the 12th to 17th Century. Usage of the kusari fundo is taught in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. The Bujinkan (武神館) is a martial arts organization practicing the art commonly referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu (武神館武道体術). It is headed by the Sōke of the school Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭). Masaaki Hatsumi is the recognized lineage holder of the nine ryūha[1][2][3] (see ancestral schools) transferred to him...

A notable example of the use and misuse of the weapon is the story of the great 17th Century kusari-gama teacher Yamada Shinryukan. Shinryukan was known to have killed many swordsmen with his weapon, until he was lured into a bamboo grove by Araki Mataemon. There, because of the terrain he was unable to swing the chain and trap Mataemon's sword, and was thus killed. Yamada Shinryukan a semi-famous swordsman following the Edo period of the 17th century of Japan. ... Araki Mataemon one of the most famous swordsman of Japan following the earlier years of the Edo period of the 17th century. ...

Perhaps one of the most famous historical users of the kusarigama is Shishido Baiken. A swordsman of great skill, he was proficient with the kusarigama, but was killed by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi when he used a throwing knife to cause a non-fatal injury from outside the radius of the chain, and then moved in for the killing blow with his sword. Shishido Baiken a famous swordsman of Japan following the earlier years of the Edo period of the 17th century. ... This is a Japanese name; the family name is Miyamoto Miyamoto Musashi ) (c. ...

See also

• Isshin-ryu kusarigamajutsu, School of Kusarigamajutsu found in Shinto Muso-ryu

Isshin-ryu kusarigama is a japanese koryu martial art, teaching the art of using the japanese weapon kusarigama (sickle and chain). ...

In Pop Culture

• Sango's brother, Kohaku, in "Inuyasha" uses the Kusarigama as his weapon.
• Axl Low from the Guilty Gear series uses the kusari-gama which is 2 sickles on a chain as his weapon.
• Hattori Hanzo from the Samurai Warriors series is portrayed as a ninja who uses a kusarigama.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi uses a kusarigama he pulls from his ear

Axl Low ) is a character in the Guilty Gear fighting game series, making his first appearance in the first game, Guilty Gear: The Missing Link, though his story and character change and develop more dramatically in the later games. ... Hattori Hanzō (服部半蔵)(1541-1596), also known as Masanari and as Masashige, was the son of a certain Hattori Yasunaga. ... Mayuri Kurotsuchi ) is a character from the manga and anime series Bleach. ...

References

• Ellis Amdur, Old School: Essays of Japanese Martial Traditions (2002)
• Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook, Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan (1973)

External link

• image of a kusari-gama