Kusarigama

The kusarigama (鎖鎌; lit. 'chain-sickle') is a type of weapon that was used in Japan during the Sengoku period,Ichikawa Sadaharu [市川定春]. (2023). "Specialized weapons" [特殊]. In Dictionary of the Weapon [武器事典] (3rd ed.), translated by Lin Tsit-i [林哲逸] and Kao Yin-liang [高胤喨]. Taipei, Taiwan: Cite Publishing Ltd., pp. 267–314. most prominently by shinobi.Kuroi Hiromitsu. (2019). "Ninja Tools". In Ninja: Bilingual Guide to Japan, translated by Chris Glenn. Tokyo, Japan: Shogakukan Inc., pp. 77–101. It is a modification of the sickle, consisting of a weighted chain attached to either the end of the sickle's handle or the sickle blade's base.
==Description==
The kusarigama consists of two parts: the (i.e. the weighted chain) and the (i.e. the sickle). The kama is a sickle with the blade running perpendicular from the handle. The kusari-fundo is a chain with a weight at the end that serves as a bludgeon. Typically, this is attached to the end of the sickle's handle, allowing the user to wield the sickle in one hand and swing the kusari-fundo with the other. In some designs, however, the chain is looped through a hole at the kama blade's rear instead.
It is essentially a modification of an already improvised weapon, as the sickle was originally designed for agriculture not warfare. The weighted chain adds to the sickle's combat utility, with the standard technique being to direct the chain against an enemy or their weapon. With the enemy momentarily entwined, the shinobi can follow up with quick strikes with the sickle.
==Behind the scenes==
The kusarigama will be a usable weapon in the 2024 video game Assassin's Creed: Shadows.
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Shadows
*Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple
==References==
Category:Weapons
Category:16th century weapons