Editing Kusarigama

{{Era|Weapons}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Pre-release}}
The '''''kusarigama''''' (鎖鎌; <small>lit.</small> 'chain-sickle') is a type of weapon that was used in [[Japan]] during the [[Sengoku period]],<ref name="Weapon dict">Ichikawa Sadaharu [市川定春]. (2023). "Specialized weapons" [特殊]. In ''Dictionary of the Weapon'' [武器事典] (3rd ed.), translated by Lin Tsit-i [林哲逸] and Kao Yin-liang [高胤喨]. Taipei, Taiwan: Cite Publishing Ltd., pp. 267–314.</ref> most prominently by [[ninja|shinobi]].<ref name="Kuroi 2019">Kuroi Hiromitsu. (2019). "Ninja Tools". In ''Ninja: Bilingual Guide to Japan'', translated by Chris Glenn. Tokyo, Japan: Shogakukan Inc., pp. 77–101.</ref> It is a modification of the sickle,<ref name="Kuroi 2019" /> consisting of a weighted chain attached to either the end of the sickle's handle or the sickle blade's base.<ref name="Weapon dict" />

==Description==
The ''kusarigama'' consists of two parts: the ''{{wiki|kusari-fundo}}'' (i.e. the weighted chain) and the ''{{wiki|kama (weapon)|kama}}'' (i.e. the sickle). The ''kama'' is a sickle with the blade running perpendicular from the handle. The ''kusari-fundo'' is a chain with a weight at the end that serves as a bludgeon. Typically, this is attached to the end of the sickle's handle,<ref name="Weapon dict" /> allowing the user to wield the sickle in one hand and swing the ''kusari-fundo'' with the other.<ref name="Kuroi 2019" /> In some designs, however, the chain is looped through a hole at the ''kama'' blade's rear instead.<ref name="Weapon dict" />

It is essentially a modification of an already [[improvised weapon]], as the sickle was originally designed for agriculture not warfare. The weighted chain adds to the sickle's combat utility, with the standard technique being to direct the chain against an enemy or their weapon. With the enemy momentarily entwined, the shinobi can follow up with quick strikes with the sickle.<ref name="Kuroi 2019" />

==Behind the scenes==
The ''kusarigama'' will be a usable weapon in the 2024 video game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''.<ref name="IGN 40 Details">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/assassins-creed-shadows-40-details-you-need-to-know| title=Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 40 Details You Need To Know| author=Purslow, Matt| work={{Wiki|IGN}}| date=15 May 2024| accessdate=18 May 2024| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515184055/https://www.ign.com/articles/assassins-creed-shadows-40-details-you-need-to-know| archivedate=15 May 2024}}</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:16th century weapons]]