Gadget Guide: Asian Weapons

Heroes and villains in pulp fiction Hook : These Chinese and early comic books often weapons, usually wielded in wielded powers or weapons pairs, are designed with curved from “the mysterious East” hooks at the end of the , and the fascination with Asian a crescent-shaped hand- martial arts (especially ninjas) in guard, and a sharp, - the 1980s made various historic like pommel, allowing them Asian weapons a superhero to be wielded in a number of staple. This Guide looks at different ways. Hook archaic Asian weapons and are effective at tripping, those often used to supplement catching opposing weapons, unarmed martial arts, along with and blocking. They can even gadgets employed by ninjas. be hooked together at the tips, swinging the second sword out so Hidden in Plain Sight its pommel slashes, extending the wielder’s reach. Due to the laws and customs of many of their Kama: A weapon adapted from the type of small original cultures, many Asian weapons evolved from sickle used to harvest crops throughout southeast Asia. otherwise mundane tools or agricultural implements, Kama are used in Indonesian, Filipino, and Japanese items peasants could easily own and carry without raising martial arts, often wielded in pairs. the kind of suspicion a sword might (to say nothing for the cost of a finely-made sword for a poor peasant Katana: The famous “samurai sword” wielded by noble farmer). Thus nunchaku developed from the threshing warriors in feudal Japan. Katanas are slightly curved flail, the kama from the sickle, and the tonfa from a mill single-edged , worn by samurai with the edge wheel handle, for examples. Although the purpose of facing up to facilitate quick drawing (the Quick Draw many of these weapons was concealment, they are not advantage is a common element of Japanese kendo, or considered Subtle effects, as their “concealment” is more sword fighting). It is traditionally worn as part of a pair (or of a cultural matter (and largely out of context in the daisho) with the shorter wakizashi blade. modern world anyway). Only truly hidden or concealed : The Indian “punch dagger” has an H-shaped grip, weapons need the Subtle modifier. See Concealed so the wielder’s knuckles rest behind the wide, triangular Weapons later in this Guide for examples. blade, allowing it to thrust with considerable force, Samplealthough file they can also make slashing attacks. Katar are Paired Weapons effective in punching through armor. : An Indonesian dagger with a distinctive wavy or Many Asian melee weapons are wielded in pairs as part “flame” blade design, the kris is a cultural icon, and every of a two-handed fighting style. In Mutants & Masterminds, adult male in Indonesia was expected to own one, often having and wielding a pair of weapons can be treated as passed down as family heirlooms. The blade design allows an application of the Split extra (Hero’s Handbook, page kris to inflict terrible wounds. 144): pay an extra point for the second weapon in the pair, and then split the total damage for one weapon into two. Indonesian legend attributes many supernatural powers to the kris, including the power to kill at a distance simply Specific constructions may also treat paired weapons as by pointing at a target, attacking targets by stabbing their Linked effects, a Multiattack, or even a Secondary Effect, shadow or footprints, alerting the wielder to imminent but this Guide uses the Split version. danger, and even controlling fire (flames being similar to the ’s own blade). Sample Weapons Kukri: A heavy Nepalese knife with an inward curving The information in the Archaic Weapons Guide can build edge, used as both a tool and weapon. Kukri are perhaps a wide range of weapons. The following are provided as most famous as weapons wielded by regiments, examples and benchmarks for your own Asian weapon including the of the . creations and as a quick-pick list for players and GMs Ninja-to: A short, straight sword carried and used by looking to outfit a character with weapons. ninja. The ninja-to is single edged with a chisel point and a square guard, typically worn in a back sheath and drawn Blades over the shoulder.

Various bladed weapons have as much importance in Asian Sai: Tapering metal batons, often wielded in pairs, with culture as the swords and of Western culture. curved side prongs that serve as hand guards and to catch Gadget Guide: Asian Weapons 1