Kusagirama is a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of kama (the Japanese version of a sickle) on a metal chain (manriki) with a heavy iron weight at the end.
It is ironic to know that Kusarigama is derived from a farmer’s scythe but farmers did not carry kusarigama. It was often carried as a weapon during the feudal era of Japan. The purpose of this weapon was very obvious, unlike the sickle; it could not be carried properly. The only way to fully know the art of handling kusarigama is embodied in kusarigamajutsu.
Methods of use
Kusarigama can be used as an attack weapon usually entails swinging the weighted chain in a large circle over a person’s head, then whipping it forward to entangle an enemy’s spear, sword, or other weapon, or to immobilize his arms or legs. This action permits the kurarigama user to move forward and strike with the sickle.
The spinning weighted end of the chain can also be use to strike. It causes serious injuries to the opponent while the kusarigama user is outside the range of the enemy’s sword or spear.
The most common portrayal on how a kusarigama is used show fighters swing the sickle with the chain, instead of using the weighted end. Though it looks entertaining, it demonstrates improper use of the weapon. The sickle is likely to bounce off a target without causing much injury.
Kusarigama in history
History has it that kusarigama is a weapon well suited against swords and spears. Historical accounts show how kusarigama was immensely famous in feudal Japan from about the 12th to 17th century.
The proper use and misuse of the weapon is best shown in the story of the great 17th century kusarigama teacher Yamada Shinryukan. Shinryukan was believed to slay many swordsmen with his weapon, until Araki Mataemon lured him into a bamboo grove. The change in terrain caused the kusarigama teacher his life.
The most historical user of the kusarigama is Shishido Baiken, who is also a highly proficient swordsman of great skill. He was sadly killed by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi when he threw a knife to inflict a non-fatal injury from outside the radius of the chain, and then moved in for the killing blow with his sword.
In modern culture
It is said that kusarigama was exclusively used by ninjas, as such belief influenced ninja characters in modern fiction works.
Kusarigama stars along side with fictional characters namely in the video game series Samurai Warriors has a character named Hattori Hanzo using a kusarigama; the character Shuhei Hisagi in the manga; Soul Eater character Black Star’s weapon Tsubaki; the character Kusari in the web comic Sliggy Freelance.
In a television program Deadliest Warrior, the kusarigama was one of the ninja’s weapons tested against the Spartan shield. The sickle could not penetrate the armor of the Spartan, the ball and chain; however, provide enough force to slay the Spartan. The ball and chain provided 220 kills for the ninja’s target of 347 kills in 1000 stimulated battles against the Spartans.
A manga series Vagabond portrays the character of Tsujikaze Kohei, an in-universe successor to Shishido Baiken, wielding the kusarigama with the weighted end as the primary attack. The reach and range acted as mechanical aspects of the technique that were crucial to his duel with Musashi. The knife thrown did not cause his downfall, but from Musashi who surprised him by intentionally drawing both swords.