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) (lit.'ten-thousand-power chain')[1] or just manriki.[2]
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.[2]
The weight (fundo)edit
The weight (fundo) of a kusari 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).[2]
Useedit
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.[3][2]
Historyedit
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[1] while serving Lord Toda, as a bloodless weapon that could be used to defend the grounds of Edo castle.[2]
Legalityedit
In the Republic of Ireland, the kusari-fundo (manrikigusari) is classified as an illegal offensive weapon.[4][5]
^"Carrying a Dangerous Weapon | Boston Crime Lawyer Urbelis Law".
^"Learn about the Tonfas, Kusari-Fundo, Tech-Bo, & Ōdachi Sword🗡️Rise of the TMNT | #TurtlesTuesdays". YouTube.
External linksedit
Media related to Manriki at Wikimedia Commons
March 12, 2024
kusari, fundo, manriki, redirects, here, film, manriki, film, village, manriki, kiribati, 鎖分銅, handheld, weapon, used, feudal, japan, consisting, length, chain, kusari, with, weight, fundo, attached, each, chain, various, sizes, shapes, chain, weight, were, us. Manriki redirects here For the film see Manriki film For the village see Manriki Kiribati 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 lit ten thousand power chain 1 or just manriki 2 Antique Japanese kusari fundo manriki Contents 1 Parts 1 1 The chain kusari 1 2 The weight fundo 2 Use 3 History 4 Legality 5 Image gallery 6 Popular culture 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksParts editThe chain kusari edit nbsp The chain kusari of a kusari fundo 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 2 The weight fundo edit nbsp The weight fundo of a kusari 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 2 Use editThe use of the kusari fundo was taught in several different schools or ryu 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 3 2 History editThere 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 ryu is said to have developed a version of the kusari fundo 1 while serving Lord Toda as a bloodless weapon that could be used to defend the grounds of Edo castle 2 Legality editIn the Republic of Ireland the kusari fundo manrikigusari is classified as an illegal offensive weapon 4 5 In Massachusetts in the United States carrying a manrikigusari in public is considered a felony 6 Image gallery edit nbsp A replica kusari fundo nbsp An antique kusari fundo Close up of the weight fundo Popular culture editTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features kusari fundos being used by Karai and the Foot Clan Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features the kusari fundo as the character Michelangelo s main weapon of choice 7 Sluggy Freelance has a character named Kusari who uses the weapon See also editKusarigama Meteor hammer SurujinReferences edit a b Ratti Oscar Westbrook Adele Secrets of the samurai a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan Tuttle Publishing 1991 p 317 a b c d e Mol Serge Classical weaponry of Japan special weapons and tactics of the martial arts Kodansha International 2003 pp 125 136 Frederic Louis Japan Encyclopedia Harvard University Press 2005 p 160 p 607 Frequently Asked Questions Electronic Irish Statute Book EISB Carrying a Dangerous Weapon Boston Crime Lawyer Urbelis Law Learn about the Tonfas Kusari Fundo Tech Bo amp Ōdachi Sword Rise of the TMNT TurtlesTuesdays YouTube External links edit nbsp Media related to Manriki at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kusari fundo amp oldid 1209077220, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
