Ashiko: Crampon. These Ashiko would be attached to the bottom of your shoe or waraji and would be used for walking on snow or ice or climbing. They are similar to what we would use today and refer to as a crampon.
Chochin: Lantern. Widely used during the Edo period Chochins were a light portable sourse of light. Constucted of bamboo and paper a candle was set inside.Various different Chochin were used depending on one’s status or
occupation. Most people had a “Bura-Chochin” which was hung at the end
of a stick. Usually a family crest was drawn on then to show the
family’s heritage. This one has the popular Takaha (hawk feather) Kamon used by the Asano Clan.
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Fukusa: Gift cover: Fukusa are square or almost square pieces of lined fabric and were simply laid on
top of a gift, not wrapped around it. Traditionally in Japan, gifts were placed in a box on a wooden or
lacquer tray, over which a fukusa was draped. The choice of a fukusa
appropriate to the occasion was an important part of the gift-giving
ritual. The practice of covering a gift became widespread during the
Edo period. The richness of the decoration of the fukusa
attests to the giver’s wealth. Its design reflects his scholarship and
aesthetics, and his cultural sensitivity is judged by the suitability
of the gift cover selected for the occasion. Family crests, or mon, were added on the lining side of gift covers
beginning in the late 1700s and tassels were placed at each corner so
the gift covers could be picked up without touching the fabric.
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Gando: This ingenious device would translate to our modern flashlight. A candle is impaled on a spike which is connected to two hoops, this allows the candle to remain upright despite the angle of the container. The unit can be turned over to cover the candle and provide darkness without extinguishing the candle. The container protected the candle as well as projecting light in one direction. These two Gando's are estimated to be made in the mid to late Edo period. This is evident by the Hando welding process which started in 1705 and ended before the Meiji period. The first Gando, is 17 1/2" tall which includes the main drum at 11 1/2" tall, the second drum at 4" and the handle is 2". The diameter at the opening is 10 3/8"
The second Gando is smaller. 8 1/2" high for the drum, 2 1/2" for the handle making it a total of 11" tall. The drum diameter is 8" at the opening an tapers to 7" where the handle connects.
Ikari-Kagi: Grappling Hooks. These were used in different ways and by different people, from fishermen to warriors, but they are mostly known for their use in scaling scaling walls and trees. The first Ikari-Kagi is 9" long by 7" wide. The second one is 6 1/2" long (not including the ring) by 7 1/2" wide. The third one is actually quite small 5 3/4" long (not including the ring) by 4 3/4" wide. This one has one hook bent up slightly, it looks as if this one hook supported all the weight. so it increased the length of ths grappling hook to 6 1/8"
The one on the left is 6 1/8" long (not including the ring) by 4 1/4" wide. The one on the right is a little larger at 7 3/8" long (not including the ring) by 5 3/4" wide.
Jingasa: Military Hat. There are many styles of Jingasa, this one is reffered to as ichimonji-gasa or hira-jingasa (hira meaning flat). These hats were used for light protection, identification, protection from the elements or pure leisure. Some of the materials used in constuction of jingasa were leather, paper, bamboo and iron. Urushi (lacquer) was used to coat the hats and makie was applied. This jingasa carries our family kamon the Maruniken Hanabishi. To see more Jingasa see our Bagu and Yoroi pages.
Kama: Sickle. This was a great weapon. It is actually a farming tool, but in the right hands could be quite deadly. Since it was a typical peasants tool it would not draw the attention that a sword would, making it ideal for not drawing attention to oneself. As time went on the Kama evolved and you can find ones that are quite ornate. The handle on the first Kama is 15" long and is roughly oval between 3/4" and 7/8" . They blade is 8 1/4" long, 1 5/8" wide, and about 1/8" thick. The blade is held in buy one mekugi and the kanji on the blade reads "Shuken" or "Suken". The Kama to the right has a handle that is 14 1/4" and the blade is 6" from the handle to the outer bend. There are two mekugi holding the blade in and the kanji reads "Denji" there is also an unknown symbol under it.
Karakuri-Kagi: Lock Pick. This is a rather large and cumbersome lock pick by today's standards, but it worked long ago. It was used on large locks mainly used on storehouses. The handle length is 6 1/2" an the diameter is roughly 1 1/2". The steel comes out of the handle 4" and almost makes a 90 degree angle for 5 3/4", then bends again for 3/4". Steel is 3/8" square.
Kasugai: Many tools and weapons of the Ninja used were actually common tools, this one was first used to secure timber after it was cut for transport. The Ninja found other uses for it. They could use it to keep doors closed or wedged them open. Held in the fist it was also a quick weapon. Readily available and nondescript. The length is 5 3/4" and the spikes are 1 3/4".