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Updated: Due to worldwide popularity of this post, Nov. 1, 2009.
I apologize for the omition of this video at this time.
There are prerequisites to viewing certain techniques.
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Kusarigama (Kusari Kama): The sickle is used popularly for harvesting or cutting rice stalks. With the chain attached at the base of the blade (click on the illustration to enlarge detail) , you can pretty much push the rice stalks towards the blade, and sever a bunch without loosing a single rice stalk. There is a ring at the base of the blade to clearly show where you would attach the chain for the purpose of cutting bunches of stalks. You would stretch-out the chain and kama, and in one motion you would catch as large of a bunch as you can and using the chain, every single stalk is pushed to its demise to the very edge of the sickle. The chain acts like the chopping block of a paper cutter. Sometimes a guard will be installed to protect your hand when cutting sharp grass. These techniques have been used for thousands of years.
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When the chain is attached at the end of the handle, however, its balance renders the whole assembly as an effective grappling hook and a formidable opponent of the sword. Its balance adapts the character of a grappling hook, with an added advantage of being able to cut using one weapon. On some weapons, the chain is attached at the end of the staff opposite the blade, to be able to pull the blade out after deep penetration. I have seen butchers use a version of this to kill poultry by the hundreds.
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Shishido Baiken is the name that is remembered as who would be the chief pioneer of this fighting method. Miyamoto Musashi recordedly defeated him by fighting with him in a bamboo grove. That's one of the reports that I have seen - and which made more sense than the rest after a few years of working with it...
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Kusarigama Fighting Method (Shinobi Kai)
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Kusarigama Fighting Method (Shinobi Kai)
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1)...As in the illustration, the blade's sheath is on your right side - high above your waist. (Again, note the illustration - the two strings at the end of the sheath would attach to the obi, to stabilize the sheath when the blade is being drawn.)
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2) Leaving your katana unobstructed on your left side, and it's ready to be drawn at anytime. If your throw connects, your opponent's defense is to close-in quickly and try to neutralize you with an attack with his sword or any weapon he may have. Your sword has to be readily available to be drawn if necessary. You need your sword to push-off attacks. The Chain-Kama is for pulling not for pushing. If anything - try to push-off with your sword and to pull with your Chain-Kama to stabilize a captured opponent by yourself.
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3) The chain wraps around the back, and it rests onto a small hook mounted on the sheath (see illustration: a few inches of chain dangles with a ball at the end - a bunched-up links of the chain that's covered with black tassels - used as a pommel when pulling a horseman down). The wooden handle lays across your chest and the blade is seated in the sheath in a taunt manner. A metal sheath is ideal for a proper swift draw of the blade.
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4) The dispatch of this weapon is quick. You grab the wooden handle with your left hand and unsheathe it quickly, taunt the chain and let it spin around your back. Hold the ball (with tassels) with your right hand, your right fore-arm should be parallel to the ground (to let the chain clear around you), snugly tugging down on the chain (this will help stabilize the sheath as you pull the blade out), and let the chain unhook itself as the kama comes around and hits the target (on the second orbit). From the ground position, this technique is quick enough and provides the needed reach to unhorse a rider before his horse has the reaction to gallop at a command.
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5) These all happen in a count of "one". With your elbows straight out, use both your body and taunt chain to speed-up the trajectory. There is really no theatrical fighting stances involved in this technique. The sheathed position is in ready-mode. Once the target is designated, the blade is released (drawn), and the target is caught. The return is done in one motion as well. The left-hand holds the wooden handle, the right hand grasps by the ball-weight, then in a single continuous move - maneuver the blade in the sheathe and wrap the chain over-then-around your waist and hook the chain in place.
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6) The blades can be designed for specific usage, acute angled blades are more suited for grappling, while obtuse angled blades will escape but will inflict a gash. There were many times that I just plainly buried the blades right into the target.
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7) Depending on the length of the chain of your kama, take that length times 2, multiplied by Pi (3.1416), times revolution per second, and you will attain the exact speed of your blade. Yes, it's several times faster than the sword, and to issue an extreme caution that this particular weapon will stick through the side of your head in a dull state.
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8) Please be advised that this is as dangerous as any projectile weapon. Any practice with live targets with the said grappling techniques said herein is not allowable.
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9) The chain has the tendencies to bite onto the sword blade without slipping, however, it's best for grappling a person down without having to get close to the subject. An out-numbered or surrounded swordsman can end-up encumbered with a few of these grappling weapons and become neutralized.
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...General use: unsaddle a horseman, grappling a leg or arm, to climb with, etc...
...General caution: it will jab through and cut through even in an unsharpened state...
...either the kama or the ball can be used for grappling... under construction
