''Kusari-fundo'' (
鎖分銅) is a handheld weapon used in feudal Japan consisting of a length of chain (''kusari'') with a weight (''fundo'') attached to each end of the chain. Various sizes and shapes of chain and weight were used as there was no set rule on the construction of these weapons. Other popular names are ''manrikigusari'' (萬力鏈) ("ten thousand power chain")
[Ratti, Oscar; Westbrook, Adele. ''Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan'', Tuttle Publishing, 199]
p. 317
/ref> or just ''manriki''.[Mol, Serge. ''Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts'' Kodansha International, 200]
pp. 125-136
/ref>
Parts
The chain (kusari)
Typically the length of the forged chain could vary from around 12 inches (30 cm) up to 48 inches (120 cm). The chain links could have many different shapes including round, elliptical, and egg-shaped. The thickness of the chain also varied. Usually the first link of chain attached to the weight was round and often larger and thicker than the rest of the links of the chain.
The weight (fundo)
The weight attached to each end of the chain could have many different sizes and shapes. The weights usually exactly matched each other in size and shape. On some of the related chain-and-weight weapons, the weights could be completely different from each other, with one weight much longer than the other, like a handle on one end, or one weight could be round while the other weight could be rectangular. Weight shapes include round, hexagonal, or rectangular. The weight could be fairly light or quite heavy, with the typical weight ranging from 2 ounces (56 grams) to 4 ounces (112 grams).
Use
The use of the ''kusari-fundo'' was taught in several different schools, or ''ryū'' (流), as a hidden or concealed weapon and also as a self-defense weapon. The ''kusari-fundo'' was useful when carrying a sword was not allowed or impractical, and samurai police of the Edo period would often use a ''kusari-fundo'' as one of their non lethal arresting weapons.
History
There are several chain and weight weapons. One type known as a ''konpi'' is mentioned in manuscripts as far back as the ''Nanbokucho'' period (1336-1392).
Masaki Tarodayu Dannoshin Toshiyoshi (1689-1776), founder of the ''Masaki ryū'', is said to have developed a version of the ''kusari-fundo''
Legality
In the Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. A ...
, the ''kusari-fundo'' (''manrikigusari'') is classified as an illegal offensive weapon.
In in the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, carrying a manrikigusari in public is considered a felony.
Image gallery
Image:manriki kusari-fundo.JPG, A replica ''kusari fundo''
Image:Manriki kusari.JPG, An antique ''kusari-fundo''. Close-up of the weight ''(fundo)''.
Popular culture
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' is an American media franchise created by the comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Miche ...
'' features kusari-fundos being used by Karai and the Foot Clan
The Foot Clan is a fictional ninja clan in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and all related media and are the main antagonist faction. It is led by the devious Shredder and his second in command Karai. The Foot Clan was originally a parod ...
.
* ''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (also known as ''Rise of the TMNT'' and ''ROTTMNT'') is an American animated television series developed and executive produced by Andy Suriano and Ant Ward, and based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turt ...
'' features the kusari-fundo as the character Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Michelangelo, nicknamed Mike or Mikey, is a superhero and one of the four main characters of the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' comics and all related media. Michelangelo is the most naturally skilled of the four brothers but prefers to have ...
's main weapon of choice. Sluggy Freelance
''Sluggy Freelance'' is a long-running webcomic written and drawn by Pete Abrams. Starting in 1997, it is one of the oldest successful webcomics, and as of 2012 had hundreds of thousands of readers. Abrams was one of the first comic artists succe ...
'' has a character named Kusari who uses the weapon.
See also
*Kusarigama
A is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of a ''kama'' (the Japanese equivalent of a sickle or billhook) on a kusari-fundo – a type of metal chain (''kusari'') with a heavy iron weight (''fundo'') at the end. The ''kusarigama'' is said ...
*Meteor hammer
The meteor hammer (), often referred to simply as meteor (), is an ancient Chinese weapon, consisting at its most basic level of two weights connected by a rope or chain. One of the flexible or "soft" weapons, it is referred to by many differen ...
*Surujin
The ''surujin'' or ''suruchin'' is one of the traditional weapons of Okinawan Kobudo. It comprises a 2–3 metre long rope with a weight tied to each end. Historically this weapon is very prevalent and can be found attached to a weapon or use ...
ReferencesChristian Russo. Kusari-Dō. On the Warrior’s Path of the Chain. Yoshin Ryu Editions, 2021.
External links
*
{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment
Samurai chain weapons
Chain weapons of Japan
Ninjutsu artefacts