The Ninja Sword Is A Very Specialized Weapon

The Ninja Sword Is A Very Specialized Weapon

 It is a common myth that the Ninja and Samurai were similar warriors and that both fought the same way – but the fact of the matter is that they were very different in their way of fighting and in the swords they used.  The Samurai were famous for their swords which were made from the best high carbon steel and forged by a process that could take months and which could only be done by a small group of expert blacksmiths and sword makers.  These superbly balanced swords with edges so sharp they could easily sever limbs even through armor were available only the Samurai class of warriors and less respected Ninjas were not allowed to use them.

 Not that this made a great difference to the Ninja, the samurai type of sword was not suitable to the way they fought.  At 24 inches in length, the Ninja sword was considerably shorter than the Samurai one which was usually between 30 to 36 inches long; Ninja swords were also made form a lower quality steel.  The Ninja sword was not used for cutting and slashing like the Samurai sword, but as a stabbing weapon.

 The short Ninja sword was a much easier weapon to handle at close quarters and since it was used to stab, it was the sharpness of the tip than was important and not how long it was or how sharp the cutting edge; so the lower quality steel made no difference to how effective it was as a weapon.  The Ninja were a socially inferior class to the Samurai and could not afford the long, curved and very expensive swords of the Samurai but whether the Ninja sword developed as a cheaper alternative to the Samurai one and the distinctive Ninja style evolved to suit the sword or the other way around is not clear.  What is clear is that even though the Ninja sword may have been technically inferior to the Samurai one, they were great guerilla warriors who were able to use their swords with great effect and in ways that the Samurai one could not have been used.

 There are many legends and myths about the Ninja sword and, knowing the innovative techniques the Ninja used, quite a few of them may be true – like the one about the scabbards being longer than the swords to leave space to hide other small weapons.  Another interesting story is that the short strong blades could be jammed into the ground and the Ninja could then stand on the handle to get extra height for getting over obstacles.  One of the most interesting stories is that of scabbards where the end was removable so that it could be used as a snorkel when the Ninja needed to remain hidden below the water.  Whatever may be the truth to these and other tales, the fact remains that in the Ninja’s hands, his short sword was a very effective and deadly weapon.