The Kusarigama: Gimmicky or Effective?
23,009Was it actually a "ninja" (shinobi) weapon? Was it used by peasants to defend their fields against unscrupulous ronin (masterless samurai)? What types of kusarigama are there? How practical is it against a swordsman or polearm user?
These and other questions are what we're looking at in this video. Although I can't show you a kusarigama on hand I can comment on demonstrations and sparring footage. And of course I can make some statements about the kama based on sickle tests I've done in the past.
https://youtu.be/sCVb7iuVx5Y
https://youtu.be/dw3mpCOnpoU
For more accurate pronunciation and more historical background I got a certain fellow Youtuber on board who specializes in Roman and Japanese arms and armor. People keep asking for a collab, so here you go. :)
*** Sources ***
Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions by Ellis Amdur
https://books.google.ca/books?id=hGjnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA120&redir_esc=y#v=onepage
A better Castlevania whip test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuLtpjWMYL0
Playlist of demonstrations and sparring
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGgwwjeYFqfFn3UvvxLLG6D1QS7JzMNQ
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