Makibishi

Japanese Makibishi (more precisely Tetsubishi )

A Makibishi ( Japanese撒 き 菱 or 撒 菱) is an ancient Japanese weapon that corresponds to the western crow's foot .

All Japanese crow's feet are called Makibishi, depending on the material used, the weapons were also known as Tetsubishi (made of iron ) or Tennenbishi (made of Japanese water nuts or their dried seed pods ). In the feudal period of Japan they were used to slow down the enemy troops following behind or to defend fortified positions against foot soldiers. The Makibishi were able to drill their way through the thin soles of the Waraji sandals customary at the time and inflict injuries on the soldiers that prevented them from advancing further. The defending soldiers usually carried small sacks full of makibishi with them (often with weapons such as shuriken and kagi-nawa ) to hide on the battlefield from an upcoming battle or to drop them after an orderly retreat. The use of Makibishi as a defensive weapon against mounted troops or even as a throwing weapon is also known.

Web links

Commons : Makibishi  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Japanese Castles AD 250--1540 , Stephen Turnbull, Peter Dennis, Osprey Publishing, 2008 p.32
2. ↑ Pauley's Guide - A Dictionary of Japanese Martial Arts and Culture , Daniel C. Pauley, Samantha Pauley, 2009 p176
3. ^ Warriors of Medieval Japan , Stephen Turnbull, Osprey Publishing, 2007 p.162
4. ^ Comprehensive Asian fighting arts , Donn F. Draeger, Robert W. Smith, Kodansha International, 1980 p.127
5. ↑ Exotic weapons of the Ninja , Sid Campbell, Citadel Press, 1999, p.100