Weapons

Sword

Nunchuck Forms

Shuriken Throwing

Kusari Fundo

Kyoketsu Shoge

Rokushakubo

Knife Drills

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Flexible Weapons
Kyoketsu Shoge			Hooked knife with weighted rope
Kusari Gama			Sickle with weighted chain
Kaginawa			Grappling hook with rope
Kusari Fundo			Weighted chain
Nawa			Rope
Stick Weapons
Bo			Staff
Hanbo			Cane (half staff)
Yari			Spear
Nyo Ibo			Heavy war club
Jutte			Truncheon
Tessen			Folding fan
Naginata			Halberd
Bladed Weapons
Shinobi Gatana	Ninja sword
Tanto	Knife
Yari	Spear
Naginata	Halberd
Shaken & Shuriken	Throwing blades
Specialty Weapons
Toami		Net
Yumi/Ya		Bow & arrows
Tetsubushi		Caltrops
Metsubushi		Blinders (smokes, etc.)
Shuko/Ashiko		Hand & foot claws
Fukiya		Blow gun
Tanegashima/Teppo		Firearms/cannons

Everyday Weapons

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.

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.