Weapons
Sword
Nunchuck Forms
Shuriken Throwing
Kusari Fundo
Kyoketsu Shoge
Rokushakubo
Knife Drills








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Training
(fighting) with weapons is quite different from training empty handed
(Taijutsu). Distance, judgment, precision and timing are just a few of the
more critical factors, which must be carefully assessed so as not to hurt
your opponent. Concentrating fully upon the moment and not letting ones mind
wander while one has a weapon in hand is very important. Not taking the
training experience seriously, one could end up maiming themselves or their
opponent for life. Training with weapons demands that both combatants be
mature enough to respect the potential of the weapons they hold and that
horseplay will not be tolerated for even an instance. The saying, "It's
all fun and games until someone loses an eye", vividly comes to life
when facing an equally armed opponent.
Working with
weapons helps to continue our ancient martial traditions as well as hone our Taijutsu
(empty hand) techniques to a fine edge. Once someone trains with weapons for
a while they see that their Taijutsu has improved considerably. This
is because of the seriousness taken on by the artist for weapons sparring.
Following are a list of some of the
more commonly used weapons of the ancient ninja. Some may appear to be in the
wrong column but are grouped according to their major uses.
Shinken Gata
(Unarmed
against an armed opponent)
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In
a street confrontation chances are that the would be attacker will be
armed. Seeing how most of us carry no visible weapons we are prompted to
use the best one in any situation, our minds.
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When
training against someone with a weapon it should be the same as training
against an unarmed opponent. First and foremost we must control the degree
of fear within ourselves. When attacked by an aggressor with a weapon the
chances of getting cut or injured are greatly increased, this depending on
skill levels of both the defender and attacker. Don't believe that you'll
come away unscathed, even great masters are injured during battle.
Takamatsu Sensei of the Togakure Ryu once had a fight against a master of
the Musashi Ryu. The jujutsu master trapped and broke Takamatsu Sensei's
arm. Takamatsu Sensei ignoring the pain threw his opponent and knocked him
out thereby winning the contest.
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When
training against an armed adversary keep in mind that the weapon is not an
extension of your (their) body. The weapon itself can't hurt you and feels
no pain, so hitting it might not have any effect upon the situation the
attacker could simply release the weapon and punch or kick you to defeat.
When your opponent comes at you, seek a safe area inside the attack and
strike his hand or wrist causing him to release the weapon from it's evil
purpose, thus allowing it to be used by someone for a good cause.
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Feedback.
If you have any ideas that you would like to share with
me, do not hesitate to contact me on 01454-853508 or alternatively e-mail me
at Ninjutsu@blueyonder.co.uk.
I hope you will continue to enjoy training.
John.
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Flexible Weapons
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Kyoketsu
Shoge
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Hooked
knife with weighted rope
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Kusari
Gama
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Sickle
with weighted chain
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Kaginawa
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Grappling
hook with rope
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Kusari
Fundo
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Weighted
chain
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Nawa
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Rope
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Stick Weapons
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Bo
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Staff
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Hanbo
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Cane
(half staff)
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Yari
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Spear
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Nyo
Ibo
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Heavy
war club
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Jutte
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Truncheon
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Tessen
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Folding
fan
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Naginata
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Halberd
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Bladed Weapons
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Shinobi Gatana
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Ninja
sword
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Tanto
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Knife
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Yari
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Spear
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Naginata
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Halberd
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Shaken
& Shuriken
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Throwing
blades
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Specialty Weapons
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Toami
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Net
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Yumi/Ya
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Bow
& arrows
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Tetsubushi
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Caltrops
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Metsubushi
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Blinders
(smokes, etc.)
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Shuko/Ashiko
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Hand
& foot claws
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Fukiya
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Blow
gun
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Tanegashima/Teppo
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Firearms/cannons
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Everyday Weapons
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People
often ask martial artists what the most versatile weapon to use is. Among the
myriads of answers I've heard, not once did someone say that their mind was
the best weapon they possessed.
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By
having a well-trained mind one is never at a loss for a weapon if ever in
need of one. Hairbrushes, telephones, credit cards, paper, books, jewelry,
umbrellas, the list could go on indefinitely. What? You ask yourself did he
write down paper. Surprisingly paper has many combat uses which most people
take for granted, one being used as a medium for information such as hate
messages, false information, etc. or as a burning medium to start a fire.
This all depends upon the ingenuity of the human mind. It is because of
this adaptability that the ninja where able to utilize farming tools as
formidable weapons against trained warriors when all weapons were banned in
ancient Japan.
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