Kusari-fundo

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Kusari-fundo is a weighted short chain weapon that is closely-related to the kusari-gama in application. It is a close range weapon, ranging between approximately eighteen and thirty inches (45 to 76 Centimetres) in length. It is generally constructed of a non-reflective etched steel chain or thick rope for training purposes. This flexible weapon can be used to strike, snare, or entangle an assailant or their weapon.

It is rumored that the kusari-fundo was invented to disarm, disable or kill attackers of the imperial castle without bloodshed, as it was considered hallowed ground.

As with the kusari-gama and kyoketsu-shoge, striking attacks with the kusari-fundo utilize the very end of the weight in motion in order to generate the most leverage and impact. Striking trajectories include:

• Tenchi furi: Rising or falling vertical strikes;
• Yoko furi: Inward or outward horizontal strikes;
• Happo furi: Inward or outward diagonal strikes; and
• Naka furi: Forward shooting strikes.

[edit] See also

• Surujin
• Manriki
• Manriki-gusari
• Meteor hammer

[edit] References

• Information from Dr. Maasaki Hatsumi's book Ninjutsu: History and Tradition