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Manrikigusari (Weighted Chain)According to written records the person responsible for thedevelopment of this weapon is Dannoshin Toshimitsu Masaki, one ofthe most famous and skilful swordsmen of his day. While assigned asHead Sentry for the main gate of Edo (Tokyo) Castle, it was theresponsibility of Masaki and his disciples to guard against theintrusion of bandits. It was at that time that Masaki became awareand gravely concerned that should an attempt be made to breach thegate of the castle, it would certainly result in the heavy flow of blood.Masakis convictions dictated that such bloody battles should not takeplace before such an important place. After some thought Masakideveloped the Manrikigusari, meaning manriki 10000 power and gusari chain.Throughout time this weapon has been a key instrument for restraint and protection withoutthe unneeded use of force, and then in its later years was included in high schoolcurriculums throughout Japan. The study of this weapon was practised, until some studentsmisused it, causing the course of study for weapon to discontinue. Today at Ogaki Castle

there are approximately 15 Manrikigusari displayed with a complete history, which is all thatremains of this dying and almost extinct art.Due to the small size the Manrikigusari was easily carried and concealed anywhere on theperson. It was used to restrain and block weapons. It also had non-violent uses, such as:securing a horse or pulling someone from a waterway.The construction of the Manrikigusari is of chain of varying lengths from one to three feet inlength, with a weight secured at each end made of brass or iron.The Manrikigusari (Weighted Chain) can develop many skills and can be self-disciplining inpractice, just like the ease of executing a throwing technique within Jujitsu; the WeightedChain becomes an extension of the hands and develops a fluid movement that evenlybalances the coordination of both hands. The combination of these and any of the weaponarts gives the advanced practitioner a new outlook and challenge that can only benefit their

martial arts training.Some of the technique categories and basic examples of use are as follows:

Gripping Attacks

1 Same Side Grip - Half Chain - Kote Hineri2 Same Side Grip - Half Chain - Shiho Nage3 Cross Grip - Half Chain - Kote Gaeshi4 Cross Grip - Half Chain - Ude Gatame5 Sleave Grip - Half Chain - Ude Garami6 Double Hand Choke - Full Chain - Tie-up Seoi Nage7 Bear hug Behind (O/A or U/A) - Full Chain - Kubi Nage

Striking / Kicking Attacks

8 Hook Punch - Kote Gaeshi9 Hook Punch - Shime Waza / Tai Otoshi10 Hook Punch - Straight Arm Lock Come Along11 Jab Punch - Ude Gatame12 Jab Punch - Ude Garami13 Back Fist Punch - Ushiro Tsuri Komi Jime

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14 Over Head Punch - Combination Punch - Ushiro Jime15 Low Punch - Ude Gatame / Shime Waza16 Low Punch - Ushiro Ude Garami17 Mae Geri - Foot Throw18 Yoko Geri - Block / Strike19 Mae Geri - Under Hook Block - O Uchi Gari

Striking attacks Weapon Combination Defence

20 Jab Punch - Baton / Chain - Kote Gaeshi21 Jab Punch - Baton / Chain - Shiho Nage22 Jab Punch - Baton / Chain - Kote Hineri23 Jab Punch - Baton / Chain - Ude Gatame24 Over Head Punch - Baton / Chain - Ushiro Jime