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"Ninja weapons?" You might be asking. If you're interested in learning more about them and what they are, keep reading!
In Japanese culture from medieval times to the early 1800s, the Ninjas were mainly spies and mercenaries who used theft for personal gain. They would use unorthodox methods to attack their enemies or opponents.
One of the most notorious (and shadowy) Ninja methods was an assassination, but they would also use more creative techniques such as psychological warfare using puppets or fraudulent letters. They may have also used poisons such as arsenic and lead arsenate to kill unsuspecting people without detection by others. It is a misconception that Ninjas only used "silent methods.
The Popularity of Ninja Weapons
Ninjas, they are everywhere and they are coming for you. Wherever you go, they will be there. You might have seen one at the mall. Maybe you came face to face with one in the bookstore! What do we mean by this? The ninja culture that is becoming more and more prevalent in modern-day societies is not to be taken lightly - if you don’t think so, just ask their victims!
What is it that makes ninjas so dangerous? Aside from their skill set, what weapons do these warriors use? Ninja weapons are a combination of the most popular weapons today, modern and ancient. There is no complete list of all of these weapons used throughout history, but we will give you a few examples.
We know that there were at least three types of weapons used by ninjas - knives, swords, and bows and arrows. The blades were designed with a unique "hidden" hilt, you know those invisible handles that are there for a reason? It was like carrying an invisible sword with you! But back to what makes them dangerous...
Famous Ninja Weapons:
Ninja Weapons have been portrayed in a variety of different ways throughout Japanese culture and media. But despite these varying representations, many ninja weapons can be placed into one of three categories; "hidden blades", "weapons for deflecting attacks" and "weapons for combat". These three categories include a wide range of melee weapons that we'll take a look at below.
- Kunai
The kunai is one of the more common tools used by ninjas, both as a utility knife and as an improvised weapon in the absence of other arms. The ninja kunai can be used to safely cut enemies as they fight or to block and deflect sword strikes.
Once you have it in your hand, a ninja's curved knife is designed for throwing at opponents; the kunai is often used as a distraction when an ambush is launched. According to legend, the kunai's name comes from the sound produced by this tool as it hits an opponent in the face.
- Shuriken
The shuriken is one of the most common tools that ninjas carry with them; usually obtained from enemy bodies, though due to their popularity, some artifacts have been created by ninja weaponsmiths over time. While it is generally an improvised weapon, these ninja stars are also specially designed as ninja weapons for throwing. The shuriken moves so fast that it is almost impossible to see with the naked eye and can kill or severely maim a human with a single blow.
- Kusarigama
The kusarigama was another tool used by ninja agents to attack enemies from behind; models often contained a blade attached to the chain that could be used like a normal blade or hurled like the kunai. The kusarigama was designed to entangle limbs and cause heavy bleeding, eventually incapacitating opponents without killing them.
- Garrote
The garrote, also known as the "wire", was a ninja weapon that existed in two different variations: one used by ninja agents to kill enemies from behind and another that looked more like an electric guitar. This weapon would be used to strangle or choke enemies with a cable, often in conjunction with other ninja weapons. It could also be used to stun an enemy using its electrical discharge.
- Tanto
The tanto was the most common knife used by ninja agents and was designed as a perfect concealment knife for close combat. This weapon had guards in both the front and back, unlike most "hidden blades" which only have guards at the front.
There are many other ninja weapons, but these five are the most common and have been the most popular throughout Japanese history.
Importance of Ninja Weapons!
Invading an enemy castle and being ambushed by ninja warriors isn't something you'll find in a history book. These warriors attacked not only with swords, but also with other weapons designed for stealth and surprise. A recent study has discovered that among these ancient blades were spearheads, hatchets, darts, knives, saws and even axes!
The research analyzed the remains of over 1200 weapons seized from the battlefields of Japan's Warring States Period (1467-1568). This incredible find offers a unique insight into how these (mostly) forgotten samurai warriors wielded their weapons before they fell in battle.
Ninja weapons are often overlooked in favor of their katana swords, but it is important to remember that they had a huge arsenal at their disposal. The ninja were trained to notice any small details when they were out on a mission. They would carry several different weapons with them and change them depending on the situation.
When faced with an enemy ninja, they wouldn't hesitate to use the tools at their disposal. They didn't value some weapons more than others for their martial arts skills - it all came down to what worked best for each individual ninja. The art of ninjutsu was eventually assimilated into the teachings of other martial artists, like medieval samurai and even 20th century martial arts schools .