Weapons training is considered an integral part of many traditional Japanese martial arts and a way to extend the capabilities of the human body. Over centuries of development, the Japanese have crafted specialized weapons and integrated their use into close-range combat systems.
Blunt Weapons
Blunt weapons do not have blades or piercing points. They rely on blunt force trauma to subdue an opponent.
Bo Staff
The bo staff is a long wooden staff typically measuring around 6 ft (1.8 m) long. It originated as a farming implement used to balance loads but was adapted as a weapon. The bo staff allows a martial artist to keep an attacker at range by using thrusting and sweeping techniques. It can generate a large amount of power from its length and leverage. Bo staff techniques aim to strike an opponent with force or trap and unbalance them.
Hanbo
The hanbo is a short wooden staff typically measuring about 3 ft (90 cm) long. It functions similarly to the longer bo staff but requires closer engagement with an opponent to be effective. The compact size of the hanbo allows it to be concealed and carried easily. It can be used to block, strike, and restrain an attacker at close quarters.
Jo Staff
The jo staff is an intermediate-length solid wooden staff typically measuring about 4-5 ft (120-150 cm) long. It was originally used by some Japanese law enforcement to control crowds but was adopted into martial arts practices. The jo staff allows a greater reach than the hanbo but is more maneuverable than the longer bo staff in confined spaces. It can be used offensively and defensively with striking, blocking, and sweeping techniques.
Tessen
The tessen is a solid iron folding fan with sharpened edges that originated as a concealed self-defense weapon for nobles. It can be used closed in a thrusting or swinging method similar to a short stick or club. When open, the tessen has slashing capabilities with its sharpened edges that can cut an opponent. The tessen can also be thrown at an opponent to cause distraction or injury. Its innocuous appearance as a fan allows it to be carried discreetly.
Edged Weapons
Edged weapons have sharp blades or points capable of cutting and piercing an opponent. They extend the lethal force of the human body.
Katana
The Katana is the best-known Japanese sword. It has a curved, single-edged, slender blade optimized for cutting. The katana is designed to be drawn quickly from its sheath for rapid response. Japanese martial arts integrate detailed katana techniques to slash, thrust, and defend against an adversary. Its exceptionally sharp edge allows the katana to easily cut through flesh and bone.
Wakizashi
The wakizashi is a short-bladed sword between 12-24 inches (30-60 cm). It was traditionally carried by samurai as a backup or secondary weapon to complement their main katana sword. The compact size gives it an advantage in close quarters where a long katana would be cumbersome. It can be used similarly to a short katana for stabbing, slashing, and defensive techniques.
Tanto
The tanto is a small, dagger-like knife with a blade length of less than 15 inches (38 cm). Like the wakizashi, it served as an auxiliary or defensive weapon for samurai. The compact size made the tanto easily concealable. Its sturdy, thick blade gives it strength for thrusting through armor. It can also slash opponents in a limited capacity due to its short blade length.
Naginata
The naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved blade on the end, similar to a sword blade mounted on a pole. It has the reach and leverage of a long polearm with the cutting capability of a sword. The naginata allows the wielder to keep opponents at range and utilize wide, sweeping slashes or powerful thrusts to cut them. Due to its length, naginata techniques rely on broad movements and momentum.
Kusarigama
The kusarigama is a traditional weapon that consists of a kama (a small scythe-like blade) on a chain attached to a metal weight on the other end. It allows the wielder to slash opponents directly with the blade or from a distance by swinging the weighted chain. The chain can also be used to trap an enemy’s weapon or immobilize limbs to create an opening for the blade. These attributes make the kusarigama a versatile weapon in close combat.
Projectile Weapons
Projectile weapons launch an object toward a target from a distance. They allow attacks on an opponent from further away than edged or blunt weapons.
Shuriken
Shuriken are small, bladed throwing weapons also known as “throwing stars.” They originated as a concealed weapon that samurai and ninja could use to suddenly injure or distract an attacker so they could escape. Shuriken come in a variety of shapes but typically have multiple sharp points that can cause penetrating wounds when embedded in the flesh. Some shuriken may have only a single point and rely more on the momentum of their flight through the air to inflict injury. They are not designed for fatal wounds but can inflict significant damage. Though shuriken are associated with ninja, some traditional Japanese martial arts like Shurikenjutsu specialized in their combat application.
Fukumibari
The fukumibari is a type of miniature arrow shot using an unusual shooting platform consisting of a small block of wood attached perpendicular to a finger. It functions similarly to a miniature bow using the finger as an arrow rest. Though not extremely accurate or powerful, the fukumibari allowed a concealed weapon to be shot from the hands at very close range to startle or injure an unsuspecting opponent.
Bow and Arrow
Bows and arrows see less extensive use in most Japanese martial arts since they require greater space to be utilize effectively. However, Kyudo is a traditional Japanese martial art dedicated to archery. It cultivates precise breath and body control to perform the ideal shot. While kyudo is more strongly associated with spiritual development through archery, it retains martial applications as an exceptionally long-range combat method. The asymmetric Japanese longbow (daikyu) can reach over 2 meters in height to generate immense power with arrows capable of piercing armor.
Flexible Weapons
Flexible weapons are made of rope, cloth or chain links. They can be used to entangle or restrain an opponent.
Kusari Fundo
The kusari fundo consists of a short length of chain with weights attached at each end of the chain. It can be swung to strike opponents from a moderate distance. The flexible chain can also entangle opponents or weapons by wrapping around them. This allows the wielder to control the opponent and set up an attack with another weapon.
Torinawa
Torinawa refers to ropes used in restraining methods in some Japanese martial arts like hojojutsu. They consist of flexible ropes that can be tied around an opponent to restrict, immobilize or strangle them. Torinawa techniques focus on quickly restraining or disabling an opponent.
In addition to the common weapons described above, many unique or improvised weapons appear across different Japanese martial arts schools and styles.
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