Kusari-fundo

Closely related to the kusari-gama in application, although a close range weapon, is the kusari-fundo, or weighted short chain. Ranging between eighteen and thirty inches in length and constructed of non-reflective etched steel, this flexible weapon can be used to strike, snare, or entangle the enemy or his weapon.

Fundamental striking attacks with the kusari-fundo, as well as with the kusari-gama and kyoketsus hoge, utilize the very end of the weight in motion in order to generate the most leverage and impact. Striking trajectories include:

Tenchi furi- rising or falling vertical strikes

Yoko furi- inward or outward horizontel strikes

Happo furi- inward or outward diagonnal strikes.

Naka Furi- forward shooting strikes

• information from Dr. Maasaki Hatsumi's book Ninjutsu: History and Tradition