Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Revealing Some Secrets About the Ninja Swords


Who doesn’t know about Ninjas? Don’t give me a surprise here. Almost everyone is impressed with the Ninjas and the swords they carried to counter their enemies. Ninja swords are sometimes referred to as Ninjato and Ninjaken. They are believed to be a favored weapon for the Shinobi amid the period of wars in Japan. It has been determined by several contemporary Ninjutsu practitioners that sword was the primary weapon used by the Ninjas and was highlighted in the popular culture. Nowadays there are replicas of their swords available in the markets. Also, some of them are displayed in the museums. 

Ninja Swords - A General Description

Generally, Ninja swords are described as short pieces having straighter baldes, similar to Shikomizue which is a camouflaged weapon and appears as a walking cane or stick. The major difference among these two is just that the Ninja swords feature a guard, typically of a square shape. A Ninja sword is believed to be thick, straight, and heavy, and with length less than 60 cm. Even though the researchers have continued confusing with the existence of these swords, there are several other claims, These claims suggest that the weapon’s description was based on their need to create their swords or other weapons themselves. 

How a Ninja Sword Looked Like?

As mentioned above, the length of a typical Ninja sword was about 60cm. However, it has thick, heavy and short blade. The guard had a squared shape. Even with the conflicted existence of these swords, a few people determine that the general description of this sword was because of Ninjas’ construction of their own weapons. Ninjas were the warriors who used slabs of steel or iron with the cutting edge grounded on the stone. In addition, they established their swords with a lot straighter blades. Till that time, the creation of straight blades was pretty easier compared to the construction of curved and refined blades. 

One more possible reason for such sort of description was that Ninjas were claimed to mimic Fudo Myo-oh who was a Buddhist deity of the clan of Ninjas. He was the one who brandused a short, straight bladed sword which was a pure resemblance of the chokuto. Stephen Turnbull, a historian specialized in the Japanese history described the weapons of Ninjas. He determined that the most significant item used by them was the sword. The most common sword among them was the very famous Katana. It was a fighting sword that Ninjas used. However, it had a slightly curved blade. On the other hand, the Ninjas always preferred straighter and shorter blade for their convenience. 

The History of Ninja Swords

The history of Ninjas is not very straightforward, specifically, the existence of the Ninja swords is pretty unclear despite the fact that Ninjas used particular swords for their battles and missions. But, the swords amid the earliest periods did not have any real, solid physical evidence. The fighting swords that were more associated with the Ninjas were mostly constructed amid the Edo era. However, the swords used before the Edo era and amid the warring era in Japan have not been acquired or found. 

How Were the Ninja Swords Used?

The Ninja Sword are believed to be very short weapons that were used for battling in the narrow areas and spaces. The main purpose of these swords was to stab the enemies rather than slaying them. And this is the reason why these swords did not mostly feature the curved blades, similar to a katana used by the Samurais. In addition, the purpose or function of these swords were not restricted to just stabbing the enemies. They were also used for several other functions in order to enable these warriors to accomplish their missions. 

A long strap of 3 meters in length was normally wound on the Ninja swords. Also, the huge square shaped guard performed some specific purposes. The guard was used for climbing the walls. The Ninja warriors first tended to lean their weapons against the walls and then hold the strap strongly. The Ninjas would then put one of their feet on the guard of the sword and push up for reaching the top of the wall. However, at times they would just pull the sword up through the use of strap and then spy on their enemies below. 

The Most Interesting Secret

The final and the most interesting secret regarding the Ninja swords was that they did not take the old-fashioned shapes of the swords. Sometimes, the Ninjas used a walking cane or a stick which conceals the blade inside the handle, just like the modern walking canes and walking swords. However, this was more used during the emergencies. This was aso pretty useful in undercovering the missions since the enemies would not realize that the Ninjas are around. They tended to disguise themselves as weak, sickly or older people, wounded people or handicapped. Hence, this was an amazing secret of their strategy to use the swords.

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Monday, March 11, 2019

What are Some Secrets of the Real Ninja Sword?


Without a doubt, we haven't gotten over swords, the real ninja sword in particular despite the fact that we are living in a modern world where we don't really require swords and katanas. However, we simply cannot get enough of the Ninja weapons and the real ninja sword. Many of us aren't familiar with the real Japanese history including the ancient feudal Japanese lifestyles of the Ninja warriors and the Samurais as we have grown up looking at the Western representation of the Ninja warriors. The real ninjas were nothing like the Western ninjas; in fact, the real Ninjas were essentially spies who were mostly disguised as farmers or monks. The main purpose of the Ninjas was to collect information and bring it to their "employers". Subsequently, the ninja weapons were also mostly disguised as farming tools; however, the real ninja sword was essentially a sword with a string blade.

1.  The Real Ninja Sword: A Favorite of the ancient Shinobi

In case you don't know what a Shinobi is; the term "Shinobi" refers to the Ninja warrior. The Ninja sword was essentially the most favorite fighting tool of a Ninja warrior. Mostly, the real ninja sword is referred to as the "shinobigatana" or the "Ninjato" which is also known to the most preferred fighting weapon during the era of feudal Japan. Even after centuries, the real ninja sword is still being highlighted in many anime series, video games, movies, and other parts of the modern popular culture. Historical analysis indicates no real proof with respect to the real existence of the real ninja sword. Nonetheless, there is a belief that the real ninja sword was somewhat similar to the design and blade of the ancient "wakizashi".

2.  The Essential Features of the Real Ninja Sword

With respect to the features of the real ninja sword, it has been analyzed that the sword blade was typically straight and short in contrast to the long and slightly curved blades of the Samurai swords. In fact, the short stature of the real Ninja sword served as the perfect disguise of being a stick instead of a sword keeping in mind that the real Ninjas were essentially spies who could not risk getting caught with swords and other fighting tools. The real ninja sword also comprised a hand-guard which was of a square shape. The length of the real ninja sword has been speculated to be around 60-centimeters; whereas, the blade was essentially heavy, short, and thick. The coarseness of the real ninja sword is attributed to the fact that the real ninja warriors were essentially spies and had to craft their own ninja swords and other ninja weapons; whereas, the Samurais had their swords crafted by the noblest and most skilled sword-smiths.

3.  The History of the Real Ninja Sword

It is true that various historians have found no common ground which blatantly confirms the existence of the real ninja sword. However, one clear fact does exist; the Ninjas were real in the form of spies and they had a number of secret weapons, including their version of the real ninja sword. Rumors have that it wasn't until the Edo period that the first version of the real ninja sword was crafted. However, apart from the existence of the real ninja sword, there is a variety of other ninja weapons which were in existence at that time. I am referring to the worldwide popular throwing stars, also known as the shuriken; the Kunai (throwing knife); and the Nunchucks. The real Ninja sword is available online and the markets as well.

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Tuesday, March 5, 2019

The Knuckle Duster and Legality Issues: Here is All You Need to Know


Undoubtedly, the knuckle duster doesn't merely look awesome; it is an awesome and one of the most effective fighting tools as well. The knuckle duster is known by other terminologies as well, such as the "knucks", and the "brass knuckles". Typically, the knuckle duster is made of metal; however, the knuckle duster can be manufactured and made from other forms of material as well, such as plastic and other material which is hard and sturdy. The knuckle duster is described in glorious and powerful terms in a number of action movies, anime series, and novels. However, in real life, the glamorous touch of the knuckle duster can prove fatal as well. The impact of the knuckle duster can cause serious fractures and laceration; not to mention the fact, that some cases involving the use of the knuckle duster have also reported death casualties.

Is the Knuckle Duster Illegal?

From the deferral viewpoint, the knuckle duster is not monitored within the United States; however, the majority of the states, cities, and localities has declared the use of the knuckle duster illegal and prohibit the ownership of the knuckle duster. Such states and cities include the state of Colorado as well as New York and New Jersey which is quite understandable since we are living in an uncertain world where the crime rate is increasing day-by-day. Nonetheless, there are other states and cities as well which allow the acts of purchasing and owning the knuckle duster with the intentions of collecting it or keeping it in the form of the knuckle duster paperweight. These cities and states do not permit the act of carrying the knuckle duster, though. Therefore, it is highly recommended to check in with the local laws or police department before you start looking for the knuckle duster online.

A Brief History of the Knuckle Duster

We know that the knuckle duster carries an interesting history; however, from the very beginning it has been explicitly designed to serve as a fighting tool, even b y the gladiators during the Roman era. The earliest form of the knuckle duster is known as the "caestus". A knuckle duster is a fighting tool which has been effectively designed in a way to add the required boost to the punching fist and impart much damage to the subject with which the punching fist collides. If your state and location allow you to carry and own the knuckle duster, it is important that you learn and practice with respect to the maneuverability of the knuckle duster. While maneuvering the knuckle duster it is important to keep your wrist straight; whereas, the striking arm ought to be kept at a curved angle.

Where can't You Own and carry the Knuckle Duster?

Let's make it easier for you to know where exactly you can't own and carry the knuckle duster. There are a number of states which have put a complete ban on the ownership of the knuckle duster. These states include the states of California, Illinois, Michigan, and the state of Vermont. Other states, such as the state of Kansas, Alaska, Washington, Texas, the state of Pennsylvania, the state of Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, and the state of Arkansas have labeled and categorized the knuckle duster as a dangerous weapon. Hence, you might get in trouble if found carrying the knuckle duster in one of the mentioned states and places. You might also have to spend some serious time in jail accompanied with a heavy fine if you get caught with the knuckle duster in one of the previously mentioned states.