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Ninpiden PDF
Ninpiden PDF
The length of the blade is five bu (one bu = approx. 3 centimeters). Make the width
nine bu. Therefore, you must temper [the blade].
The length of the handle is five sun five bu ; or it is a six sun kama when you pound
the iron into its place in the wood. Make it eight sun wide, and one and a half bu
thick.
For the handle, use Red Cinnamon tree. Nara Oak is also good. The blade is two
sided, omote and ura. Sharpen it on both sides.
*Refer to the drawing below for the final shape of the Kama.
The text itself is technical, and the final product is drawn at the end of the text.
However, the author made a mistake in the beginning of the text, setting the length
of the blade at five bu. This seems too short for a blade, and indeed the
measurements written next to the drawing show that the blade is in fact five sun.
Another point to clarify is the idea of a double blade. Although the author uses the
term moroha, which translates double-blade or double-edge, it does not mean two
sharp edges. Instead, we should read it as one sharp edge that is sharpened on both
sides.
To no kagi no koto (Entrance Opener)
The length of this [tool] is one shaku (approx. 30cm/1f) two sun (one sun is one-tenth
of a shaku). The width is one sun wide. The length of the blade is between one and a
half to four bu. The length of the handle is one shaku. The iron should be made thin.
Make the iron one sun long, and two bu thick.
The purpose of this [tool] is cut the wall of a castle, or it is used to break the fence
when you need to enter that castle.
*In essence, this tool is a saw that resembles the basic shape of a kama.
The author indicates that it is used to cut an entrance in the wall of a castle. This is
not a mistake. The base of a castle is made of stones, while the walls, at least in
some places, are made of wood. Depending on the location, it could be a thin wall,
and an easy place to enter. Also, one should not take these instructions literally. That
is, the entrance could be a window or a small service door, in which case only the
wooden bar locking it should be cut, thus allowing to open it.
This is a method for securing our retreat when discovered by residents while entering
secretly into a house. As the need arises, take iron or bamboo and shape it according
to the drawing [on the left]. When you need to retreat, spread it on the path of your
retreat. [Similarly], spread it in the the path of pursuit so that once stepped on
pursuit becomes difficult. Also, there is [a method] of pulling it with a rope. This is a
good [method] for spreading when laying an ambush. Refer to the drawing.
Entering a Water Obstacle
This [tool] is used for stealthily crossing a moat [or any water barrier]. Use iron for
making the upper round section in the shape of a helmet to be placed on the head.
Attach a string on both sides, and at the end of each attach a thin iron plate. It is
possible to cross even a fast flowing stream by holding these plates.
Also, if a person is hitting from above, it will not reach the head. Or if arrows and
stones are shot at the helmet, they will not penetrate it. It should be good to temper
the iron. You should hold the two strings in your hands.