weighted chain

8/10/2019 Weighted Chain

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Getting Started with the WeightedChainBy Phil Elmore

My first exposure to the manriki gusaricame in the form of Charles V.Gruzanskis book, Ninja Weapons:Chain and Shuriken. First printed in1968 in Japan, the hardcover versionwas titled Spike and Chain: JapaneseFighting Arts.

Photo by Phil Elmore

The book asserts that famedswordsman Dannoshin ToshimitsuMasaki was chiefly responsible for thedevelopment of the weighted chain andits associated methodology over 200years ago. Masaki named his weaponManrikigusari [literally, 10,000 powerchain] because he felt it containedthe power and ingenuity of 10,000persons.

Master at Arms James A. Keatingdetailed the use of flexible weapons aswhips and grappling tools in the CombatBandanna videos reviewed online atThe Martialist. The weighted chainoffers all of the advantages of such aflexible weapon (be it a bandanna, abelt, a rope, or what have you) whileoffering both improved strength andgreater striking weight. The physics of aflexible weapon terminating in a weight

are obvious. What the chain strikes, theweight helps it to ensnare. I rememberas a kid watching a Western adventureshow in which a character used a bolaweapon to ensnare and bring down a

running man. I have been fascinated bythe mechanics of such weapons eversince.

The weighted chain is, therefore, aclose-quarters grappling weapon that isalso a striking tool at longer ranges. Itcan even be used to strike at shortranges as a fist load or as a short sap,depending on how it is held.

Building the Weighted Chain

There are manrikigusari on the marketwith nice hexagonal weights but theseare attached to inferior light chainsabout the weight of dog leashes. Avoidthese, as theyre not very strong andhave no legitimate sporting use, as thepoliticians like to say. Such a weaponwill always be seen as a martial arts toyand will get you in trouble if it isdiscovered.

A durable, effective weighted chain is asclose as your hardware store. First, findthe chain and steel cable section. Then,find yourself a helpful clerk.



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Most of the time you simply will not befast enough to manage something likethis. The chain can be used, however,to ensnare offered limbs in the course ofa physical altercation, especially if

youre dealing with someone stupidenough to grab at you or to throw a half-hearted fist or slap.

There are a number of protectivepostures you can adopt using the chain.The simplest is simply to hold the chainin front of you, ready to rotate it or loop itover targets of opportunity:


There are other methods, such asholding the chain cocked verticallybehind your back. For more informationI would suggest Gruzanskisaforementioned text on the topic, but Idont think the weapon needs to be thatcomplicated.

Snaring any limb is a matter of bothpushing and pulling. This not only

entangles the limb but also produces agrating, sawing effect that is quiteunpleasant when done properly. In thenext two photos, my assistant Kevin(left) exaggerates a half-hearted lungewith his fist so I can demonstrate thispushing and pulling mechanic. Onceyouve got the limb, of course, youve

got to move, for holding it doesnt helpyou if you just stand there. If youunderstand how to follow up afterapplying a joint lock, you understandhow to move out of danger while pulling

the limb up and out to force youropponents body down in an assistedlock like this.

Beginning of the push-pull mechanic: the chainis in position against the limb.

Pushing and pulling (which must beaccompanied by moving or zoning the body) to

ensnare the limb and facilitate follow-up.

Dont practice techniques like these onother people without qualifiedsupervision.


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Swinging the Chain

Swinging the weighted chain in tightcircles helps you build momentum forstrikes and can have a deterrent effectwhen done before the body. (It wontfool someone who knows how tocounter the chain, however swingingthe chain in figure eights just invites theknowledgeable opponent to grab andthus neutralize it.)

Overhead helicopter swing.

No one can teach you how to do thisbeyond imparting the concept. Youmust practice moving the chain (pleasewear eye protection until you have itdown) to get a feel for how the weaponmoves and how it moves when youtake the swing into a strike or cast.

One of the simplest swings is theoverhead helicopter movement, fromwhich the chain can be brought easilyinto a forward strike with a whip of the

arm (the circular motion is accomplishedusing the wrist alone).

Casting the Chain

Casting the chain is amethod of whipping itout to strike a targetwithout preliminaryswinging. The chain isheld bunched in thepalm with one weightforward. The arm is then thrust forwardand the thumb and forefinger opened tofacilitate the cast. It is the last threefingers of the hand that retain the chain(for, as in most grips, it is these threefingers that exert the most power ingripping an object).

With practice, youll be able to loadyour hand with the weighted chain andthen lash out with it, casting it into thetarget of your choice within an effectiverange that is the length of your chain. Ican hit pretty much whatever I aim atnow, and if I can learn to do it, youcertainly can.

Casting the chain. Note position of the fingers.


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Snapback

Any flexible weapon will snap back afterhitting a target. The only way to copewith snapback is to follow through withyour strikes and do a lot of practice tolearn the feel, mechanics, andtendencies of the weapon. Be sure towear eye protection, train underqualified supervision, and do your bestnot to thunk yourself in the head withyour weighted chain. Ive managed topractice with the weapon successfullywithout incurring major injury, but thereis always the possibility. Never practicewith weapons, especially unfamiliarweapons, if you are tired or distracted.

Chain cast immediately after full extension,showing the beginning of the snapback.

No single article can leave you fullyequipped to wield an unfamiliar weapon,but these concepts should get youstarted. The manrikigusariis an ancientweapon that remains relevant incontemporary self-defense. Practiceoften and practice safely.

weighted chain

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