From the Hollywood action movies in the late eighties, many people first learned about the legendary ninja weapon - the ninja sword. On the screen, sinister ninja jumped on the roofs of skyscrapers and chopped crowds of enemies using a sword. At a distance of enemies no less famously killed shuriken. After these films, many had the impression of a ninja as a super-weapon, forged from star steel, passed from master to apprentice.
Reality, as usual, is far from this.
Direct or not?
Today, the Internet is full of assurances that the ninja sword was curved, and the straight blade, familiar to everyone from the films, is nothing more than an invention of Hollywood directors.
In fact, the traditional ninja sword was straight, and the technique of possession was based on piercing blows that cannot be effectively applied with a curved sword. There were also curved blades and cane swords, but the classic ninja had a straight shape. This photo was taken at a ninja museum in Japan. It should be recalled that in a black suit the ninjas "worked" only at night, on secret missions. The rest of the time they were disguised as ordinary people, and the presence of strange weapons would certainly attract unnecessary attention.
Difference from katana
The ninja sword differs from the katana primarily by the goals that were set before the samurai and the ninja. A real katana in antiquity was worth a fortune, so the cult of the sword appeared, according to which it was considered the soul of a warrior. To draw a sword not for a duel was considered shameful and unworthy.
The straight blade was ideally suited for cramped spaces, when, as a katana combat technique, it is based on sweeping chop, which requires space. For the ninja, the sword was primarily a tool for solving various combat and everyday tasks during the performance of secret missions. The quality of steel was worse, the finish was rougher, but it was easier to make such a sword and it was not a pity to use it in any situation.
Ninja sword elements
Like any other sword, a ninja consists of three elements (plus a sheath):
- Blade;
- Garda;
- Handle.
The ninja blade, unlike the polished blade of the katana, was either matte or blackened. Practiced the method of wrapping the blade in silk, followed by burning the fabric right on the blade. The sword burned in this way became imperceptible in the dark. The owner could not be afraid that the brilliance of the blade will reveal his presence.
The garda of the sword (or tsuba) was square in shape, about eight centimeters from the long side and had considerable strength. It was used as a step, as a hook to catch on a ledge, sometimes throwing stars were attached under the guard.
The handle in form resembled samurai counterparts, but performed other functions. Gasira (a metal cap at the end of the handle) hid a cache in the hollow handle, and the cap itself often had a knife on the back side. Secret documents were kept in the cavity of the handle, blinding mixtures or even gunpowder.
Ninja's scabbard was a multifunctional device. They were 10-15 centimeters longer than the sword and ended in a cache in which documents or additional weapons could be stored. In addition, the tip of the scabbard often ended in a removable case, having a throwing knife at the end. Having inserted this case into the sheath with a knife outside, they received a short analogue of a spear.
In addition, the sheath was used as a breathing tube under water, as a blowgun, and even as a cradle-perch on which a ninja could hang all day long, tracking his victim.
The sheath cord was several times longer than the samurai, and was used in various situations. From tying up the enemy and making traps, to making code nodal ciphers that the ninja left in the hiding places.
Making a sword ninja do it yourself
Before you try to make a ninja sword, you need to know that making cold weapons is punishable by law, so your product should not have the parameters of cold weapons. Usually, making a sword by technology, quenching, and so on, it is simply not sharpened.
If you are not a blacksmith, it will be rather difficult to forge a sword blade. It is better to find for this purpose a strip of 65g steel, about five millimeters thick. Having drawn on it the shape of the blade, proceed to cut it. To do this, you need a grinder and a pair of circles on the metal. Be sure to use safety glasses, otherwise sparks can damage your eyes.
After receiving the preform of the desired form, proceed to the removal of descents on the blade. This is the most difficult procedure, especially if you do not have a grinder (a special device for removing descents on the blades). Draw a long strip along the entire length of the future edge of the blade along the entire length and begin the process of removing excess metal. It is necessary to remove gradually from two sides, deducing the form of the blade.
Modern replicas of ninja swords are usually polished, but if you want complete identity, you can restrict yourself to polishing the blade. Subsequently, it can be subjected to the procedure of bluing or set on fire, wrapped in silk.
Next, a square tsuba and a wooden handle are made, with a cavity in the last third. The blade is mounted in the handle with the help of pegs, which are hammered on both sides.
Making the sheath is a rather complicated process if you want a multi-tool. Usually, the sheath is made simple, with a cache at the end, but if you want a complete identity, it can take twice as long to create a scabbard than the sword itself.
Application technique
The technique of fencing with a ninja sword is noticeably different from the work of katana. Since the task of the ninja was to sneak up and steal information or kill the enemy, the technique of fighting with the sword was based on one quick and imperceptible strike. If the spy was detected and raised the alarm, the Ninja’s task was to launch a series of instant punches to several opponents and quickly run away.
If you own fencing equipment of any sword, it is not difficult to study the specifics of ninjas, because the ancient ninjas were never skilled swordsmen and in an open fight usually lost to samurai. The emphasis in the technique of fighting with the sword of the ninja was the use of various "non-gentlemen" blows, spitting with needles, throwing sand into the eyes of the opponent. If for a samurai death in battle was an honor, then the ninja had to win at any cost, thereby bringing the benefit to his clan further.
Ninja something - a specific weapon of ancient spies. A multifunctional object, a transforming weapon, which faithfully served its owner in various situations. Despite the huge amount of information (often incorrect), few people know about the real purpose of this sword. Ninjas, going to long missions full of dangers, simply could not afford a highly specialized weapon intended only for killing.
