Top 5 Famous Ninja Swords for Your Next Martial Arts Practice!

 

Ninja swords, also known as ninjato or shinobi-gatana, are a type of sword traditionally associated with the ninja, a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. They are characterized by their straight, single-edged blade and square or circular guard. The blade is typically made of steel and is relatively short, usually between 24 and 36 inches in length. The hilt is often wrapped in a cord or a type of cloth to provide a secure grip.


These swords were used by the ninja for a variety of purposes, including as a weapon for close combat, as well as for cutting and thrusting. They were also used for a variety of other tasks, such as breaking chains and cutting rope. The design of this sword was intended to make it easy to conceal and quick to draw, which made it a useful tool for the ninja's covert operations.

Background of Ninjas and Ninjato

Ninjas, also known as shinobi, were covert agents or mercenaries in feudal Japan. They were skilled in espionage, sabotage, and assassination, and often served the daimyos, or feudal lords, of the time. They were also known for their use of specialized weapons, including swords.


The most famous sword used by ninjas was the ninjato, also known as the shinobi-gatana. The ninjato was a straight-bladed sword, typically shorter and more compact than the katana, which was the traditional sword of the samurai. The shorter length of the ninjato made it easier for ninjas to use in close-quarters combat and stealth operations. The ninjato was also believed to be more durable than the katana, which was more prone to breakage.


Another sword used by ninjas was the kusarigama, which was a combination of a sickle and a chain. The sickle was used for cutting and the chain was used for grappling and ensnaring an opponent. The kusarigama was a versatile weapon that could be used for both long-range and close-range combat. Ninjas were also known for using throwing weapons such as shuriken and blowdarts.


It is important to note that the popular image of ninjas as skilled swordsmen is largely a myth. Ninjas were primarily trained in espionage and sabotage, and their weapons were primarily used as tools of distraction and diversion, rather than primary means of combat.

Modern Martial Arts Weapons

Ninja swords were not as widely used as the katana, a type of sword used by the samurai. The katana was a longer and heavier sword designed for use in open combat. However, this sword was better suited to the stealthy and covert tactics employed by the ninja.


Today, ninja swords are popular among martial arts practitioners and collectors of Japanese weapons. They are also commonly used in stage and screen productions that feature ninja characters. While the historical swords were primarily used for practical and combat purposes, the modern replicas are often used for display and martial arts training.


It is worth noting that while these swords have a strong association with the ninja, there is limited evidence to suggest that historical ninjas actually used them. They are primarily modern inventions used in popular culture and martial arts.

Common Ninja Swords:

There are several types and categories of ninja swords, also known as ninjato or shinobigatana. Some of the most common include:

  • Katana: 

The most famous and iconic of the ninja swords is a long, curved, single-edged sword that is used for slicing and cutting. A long sword that was the samurai's main weapon and symbol of power. They have a sharply tapering blade and are worn with the cutting edge down. 


Katanas were typically made from steel, iron, or carbon steel with a clamshell-shaped handguard (tsuba). Worn in pairs one sword inside the other. The word katana originally meant "large sword" but this name later evolved to mean "big sword".

  • Ninjato: 

A straight-bladed sword that is specifically designed for use by ninjas. It is shorter and more compact than a katana and is often used for stealthy attacks.


It's important to note that while many people associate these swords with the historical Japanese ninja, there is little historical evidence to suggest that ninjas actually used specialized swords like the ninjato

  • Zanbato: 

This long curved sword has a blade at least one foot (30-40cm) long, with an exposed curve at the base. The hands are placed on the outer edge of the curve, with both hands clutching the center firmly. This weapon was typically carried by samurai warriors when mounted, although it could also be used while mounted as well as on foot.

  • Kodachi: 

Lightweight, one-handed swords that are shorter than the traditional sword. Samurai warriors would use these if they didn't have time to unsheathe their long swords.

  • Nagamaki: 

A formal military weapon that was used by the samurai in combat. The nagamaki has a large blade that is held by both hands in an 'X' formation, with the blade pointing straight down. This style of the weapon also appears in mounted combat, where it can be used as a lance or halberd, and on foot as a polearm or hand-to-hand fighter's weapon.

Are Ninja Swords Still Exist?

Ninja swords, also known as ninjatō, were traditionally used by the ninja of feudal Japan. These swords were characterized by their straight, single-edged blades, which were designed for stealthy, close-quarters combat.


While the profession of being a ninja no longer exists in modern times, the ninjatō sword has been preserved as a cultural and historical artifact. Some sword smiths still make replicas of the ninjatō, and they are used by martial artists and collectors who practice the art of Iaido.


However, it should be noted that the Ninjatō is a historical weapon and not practical for modern-day combat or self-defense. Also, actual swords were not the same as the popularized version in movies and anime. They were often made from lower-quality materials and were not as sharp as the katanas used by the samurai.


While the profession of being a ninja no longer exists, the ninjatō is still remembered as a cultural and historical artifact. Today, replicas of this sword are used for training and collecting purposes, but not for combat or self-defense.

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