From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japanese farming implement and weapon
The
kama
(
鎌
or
かま
)
is a traditional Japanese farming implement similar to a
sickle
or
billhook
used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon. It is often included in weapon training segments of
martial arts
. Sometimes referred to as
kai
or "double kai," kama made with intentionally dull blades for
kata
demonstration purposes are referred to as
kata kai
[
citation needed
]
.
History
[
edit
]
Before being improvised as a weapon, the kama was widely used throughout Asia to cut crops, mostly rice. It is found in many shapes and forms in
Southeast Asia
[1]
and is particularly common in
martial arts
from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. From one or both of these areas, the kama was brought to
Okinawa
and incorporated into the martial art of
te
(hand) and later
karate
(empty hand). It also spawned the use of the
kusarigama
and the
Kyoketsu Shoge
.
Ellis Amdur
criticizes in his book
Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions
the theory that the kama was derived from a farmer's sickle. Sickle-like weapons like
kamayari
(sickle spear) however existed since
Kamakura period
.
[2]
Technique
[
edit
]
The kama can be used either as a single half or in pairs. Both the point and sharpened edge of the metal blade are called into use, Okinawan
kata
suggesting that it could also be used to block, trap and disarm an opponent's weapon. The point at which the blade and handle join in the "weapon" model normally has a nook with which a staff can be trapped. The edge of a traditional rice sickle, such as one would purchase from a Japanese hardware store, continues to the handle without a notch, as this is unneeded for its intended use. The hard edge of the blade would be kept razor-sharp to enable efficient cutting of crops, though this is sometimes a cause of training accidents by unskilled wielders, for whom blunt training versions of the weapon are created.
See also
[
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]
References
[
edit
]
External links
[
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]
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