Weapons By Kevin McMahon

Several common weapons of the samurai. Katana Shuriken Wakizashi Tanto Kama Nunchaku Jutte

Katana The katana is commonly referred to as the “samurai sword.” It is the favored weapon of the samurai. “It is the most beautiful form of killing.” this is directly quoted from /410/weapons.html

Shuriken Literally means “knife that is concealed in the palm.” Is commonly in the shape of a star. Women would carry pin-shaped shuriken in their Kimono pockets in case they got attacked.

Wakizashi Miniture version of the Katana. Worn indoors by samurai. This is because a katana was too long for indoor combat.

Tanto This is a type of Japanese knife. It was made out of the same steel as the katana and the wakizashi. This was sometimes worn instead of the wakizashi.

Kama This resembles an American sickle. This was originally a farming tool to harvest plants. Since farmers weren’t allowed to own weapons they used their tools to protect themselves. The kama is most well known for it’s use by ninjas.

Nunchaku The nunchaku is two sticks connected by a chain or a cord. It was originally a farming tool to thresh grain. Farmers started using it to protect themselves.

Jutte The jutte was used by samurai as well as fuedal police. They were used for trapping the blade as well as jabbing, striking, and catching the fingers.

Here is a manga on the topic of weapons.