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7. The KYOKETSU SHOGE… A stylish Ninja variation of the previous classic Kaginawa with farming tool/blade add-ons to boot. Consisting of hook-dagger, rope+ring this weapon’s name has one of the more endearing meanings. A literal translation of ‘run around fields and mountains’. Apart from being a ninja pastime… its relative meaning is unknown to Shiro at the moment. The hook-dagger blade tends to be double-edged, attached to some 4 to 6mtrs of rope, chain or… hair, with a ring-weight on the other end. YES… HAIR… human or horse the mentioned preferred sources apparently. Indeed, another unique weapon with high offensive/defensive potential and capabilities. As with others herein, the usual multi-purpose weapon/tool label rightly applies. KYO. SHOGE  techniques include Blade slash/thrust/hook actions into armor/personnel, usual rope/chain and (not-so-usual) HAIR abilities of creating space and distance from opponent( or incl. as a climbing aid etc ) and a multi-purpose ring too. Such as a weighted end wrap-around item ( like Spanish BOLOS ), or as a foot-step during climbing, a knuckle-duster device during combat and as a weapon encircling/catching aid too…

Do not be led into thinking that the CORD/ROPE/CHAIN/HAIR section of some of the ANCIENT WEAPONS herein is just a simple item or after-thought. Great care and technical production was put into their manufacture according to the need. The making of CHAIN for example became a sub-speciality within the Blacksmith’s Trade. This was due to the intensive labour and time req. to forge high quality chain-links. The end-product had to withstand strong forces indeed. Defending against such as the KATANA Sword, YARI Spear or even larger NAGINATA Halberd is wrought with danger. A special smithing forge process of ‘ wakashitsuke ‘… = of ‘ first seperate+then join ‘ became necessary. Each and every chain-link was to be forged individually and then hammered PERFECTLY together. Special MUD was applied to the link joins during such processes… ANY weak link… would be fatal. The Metal used was usually an IRON composite which, if worked and forged correctly; formed CHAIN RINGS of ultra high strength. Able to take on the HEAVY WEAPONRY. The weakest link… would now be hard to find indeed. Another classic.

8. THE TOKKO… LAYOUT PLAN… UNSURPRISED… A unique Weapon with a surprising Religious twist. A somewhat specialised item. During troubled times a Priest may find much to fill time and travel, yet travel itself can become troubling. Many such took regular and necessary advantage of the many WALKING STICKS/STAFFS which at this time in History were an essential travel aid item. However… the usage of such indoors where space was limited and the Weapons reach advantages etc negated – a more personal defence system was req. In self-defence of the Religious… how far would you go ? The Priests of Buddhism and Tantrism were oft., like the renowned SHAOLIN MONKS in China, subject to particular persecution- Considering the Profession, a Symbol from Heaven was perhaps needed ? Introducing the surprising  TOKKO, an iconic Weapon, an icon that became a Weapon. Classic… and Unique indeed… not surprised ?…yet…

The TOKKO, according to the LEGENDS was styled on the indestructible HEAVENLY THUNDERBOLT representation. A symbolic and ritual item. Usually hand-held though mounted types known as well. Could be mounted on a variety of weapons, both LIVE or CEREMONIAL though the STAFF type appears most prevalent in this mounted group. The concept historically has links to the Ancient Worlds of INANNA’s INDIA and other Asian regions. Deriving from such as the Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism Traditions. The founder of Shingon Buddhism for example, KOBO DAISHI KUKAI ( 774-835 ) is oft. depicted pictorially and documented with such items. Akin in theme to the KAKUTE mentioned earlier and with many of the same advantages and applications; though not so easily hidden and concealed. An added bonus here is that the TOKKO could however, practically go ‘ anywhere and everywhere ‘ the Priest went, whilst WEAPONS per se Legally… could not; due to weapon bearing restrictions and/or security reasons. Go  anywhere TOKKO indeed. Surprised ?… let’s OPEN up shall we…

THE TOKKO SURPRISE… Another unique Weapon with high offensive/defensive potential and the surprise shock value too. The prong ends were ideal for self-defence application allowing penetrating stabs and thrusts to have good effect whilst defences/blocks would be greatly enhanced. The prong number could be varied too. Percussive effects obvious. A couple of variations in design of size, shapes and symbol style noted. Some were single -pointed basic stab type, others shaped and curved for use as per knuckle-dusters etc. Metal used was BRONZE or IRON. Primarily manufactured using the period CAST FORGING Smith techniques which in turn seem inherited from both Siberian and Chinese metallurgical sources. Having high inherent strength, there is mention too of its use to block and deflect, even shatter blades of the enemy strikes. That’s a classic surprise… Go TOKKO indeed.

9. The SHIKOMI ZUE… A Walking-stick ?… LOOks can indeed deceive… or deceive indeed can LOOks… A HOLLOWED STICK, CANE OR STAFF. A hollow w/stick with concealed add-ons ( or should that be add-ins…). Another unique Weapon within the surprise theme. High potential. Staying with the theme of public safety and self-defence and as mentioned earlier the w/stick was a travel necessity in the days of old. Nobody went out without one… or two. Constant and persistent travel on unsealed roads, paths and trails oft. thru somewhat mountainous country was physically challenging… just like Bandits tended to be. A w/stick should suit both of these occasions just fine. Culture and movie MARTIAL LEGEND ZATOICHI, the Blind Weapons Master is an ideal classic representation of the perennial wandering HERO  and is one who carries the SHIKOMI ZUE STICK… that is a WEAPON-in-disguise.

A SHIKOMI ZUE VARIETY PACK COLLECTION… The ‘Stick’; when grabbed and pulled would reveal it’s concealed SCABBARD Nature. Ideally, this split/pull would leave the ‘ Handle ‘+Weapon in YOUR hands… the now empty stick scabbard in your opponents… hopefully some surprise, wariness and fear creeping in their Hearts too. Ideal for NINJA and KUNOICHI. Many RYU techniques devised specific solutions and feints to encourage the grabs… and further offensive/defensive actions to follow up. Just remember to hold the SHIKOMI ZUE the correct way… blind or not.

A very olden concept; variations abound here historically with the SHIKOMIZUE… As does potential, capabilities and applications. Changes to such as special features, size, shape, blade or weapon inclusion type and number of hollow sections noted. Blade/Weapon items include a variety/selection of spear-heads, short(er) swords, daggers, spikes, rods, chain lengths and even a JUTTE ( reviewed earlier ) could all be concealed in a hollow w/stick. BLOW-PIPES naturally suit. Lots of choices. Other hollow sections could hold any number of things; a fire-starter kit, blinding powder, powdered herbs and foodstuff… basically whatever the SHIKOMI ZUE’s owner desired/preferred… or could fit. Mention is made too of quite a few rare examples of particular designs that resemble other social and cultural items of everyday use… besides the STICK that is… that could also be used to accommodate/conceal a Weapon. Examples include a long barrelled FLUTE concealing a long blow-pipe or thin short sword/dagger… and still play… hopefully. Short versions of these available of course as well. Another noted was a metallic SMOKING PIPE, almost club-length, which had a Hilt-Guard and oversized metal tobacco bowl the size of a basic hammers head… and surely hurt as much too. Many such unique SHIKOMI ZUE’s special w/sticks were likely made-to-order per se… whether you be blind, flute play, tobacco smoke… or not. Classic indeed.