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A Day in the Life of
a Warrior-3
Ninjutsu warriors were well-versed in numerous weapons
designed to achieve very specific and often surprising results. Examples
of Ninjutsu weaponry are:
The Ninja's sword, a short, straight, single-edged blade, was considered to be his primary fighting tool. He trained in two types of sword skills: A "Fast draw" technique of brandishing the sword and cutting and attacking all in one fluid movement, and fencing skills that required swordsmanship when battling with other armed opponents.
Today's most controversial weapon of the Ninja is the shuriken also called the "throwing star," "death star" or "Ninja star." Part of other martial arts systems, it was originally a straight piece of metal, with pointed edges at one or both ends, but over the centuries the Ninja and other martial arts masters fashioned it in different ways. Sometimes it was star-shaped, with the number of points varying from region to region. Techniques and methods of use also varied. Sometimes the shurikens were thrown at the opponent, while at other times they were scattered on the ground to trip the enemy's horses.
Perhaps the greatest master of the art is Shirakami Ikku-Ken, author of Shuriken-do - My Study of the Way of the Shuriken. In his book, Shirakami demonstrates the use of the shuriken as a weapon along with the sword. He demonstrates how it may be passed rapidly from one hand to the other and thrown quickly at the enemy.
Throwing blades were carried in concealed pockets and used as harassing weapons. The Togakure ryu Ninja used a special four-pointed throwing star called a senban shuriken, which was constructed from a thin steel plate. The blade was thrown with a flat spinning motion and hit its target with a sawing effect. Bo shuriken or straight shaft darts and spikes, including wrist spikes, were also constructed for throwing.
Ancient Ninjas were taught to use standard Japanese spears and lances as fighting weapons. Used primarily for stabbing and piercing attacks, they were rarely thrown. The Ninja also used a unique spear weapon called a kama-yari, or "sickle lance," which consisted of a spear blade with a hook at the base. The total length of the weapon was over nine feet. The lance point was used to lunge and stab, and the hook point was used to snag and pull the opponent or his weapon. Both techniques were quite deadly.
The chain and sickle weapon was a chain, six- to nine-feet long and weighted at one end. The other end was attached to the handle of the traditional grain cutting tool. The chain was used to block the enemy's weapon, and the blade then used for stabbing.
Of course it would be difficult (even illegal in some areas) to teach arson and demolition skills. But Ninjas were experts in the effective placement, timing and rigging of explosive devices--for both demolition and distraction. In later years, the use of black powders and other explosives was supplemented with firearms.
The Japanese stick fighting art was practiced in all walks of life, including Samurai, and was a strong skill of the Ninja. Ancient Ninjas were taught to use the bo "long-staff" (six feet), hambo "half-staff" cane (three feet), and ywara stick. They also used sticks and clubs. Specially constructed shinobi-zue or Ninja canes were designed to look like normal walking sticks, but instead, concealed blades, chains, or darts that could be used against an enemy.
A short sword blade mounted on a long handle, the halberd was used for cutting and slashing attacks against adversaries at medium range. Ancient Ninja warriors were also masters of the bisen-to, a huge, heavy sword. It was heavy enough to knock down attackers, smash through armor, and bring down the horses of mounted samurai.
Fish nets were thrown to surprise and control opponents.
For more information on training with weapons, refer to Appendix A.
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