The Kusarigama: Gimmicky or Effective?

[_NOBODY_]

The Kusarigama: Gimmicky or Effective?​

Was it actually a "ninja" (shinobi) weapon? Was it used by peasants to defend their fields against unscrupulous ronin (masterless samurai)? What types of kusarigama are there? How practical is it against a swordsman or polearm user?

 

[REhorror]

It was probably used but differently.
The chain would work as a flail kinda like the european flail, and the sickle as a slashing tool, but not like modern depiction in media.

The way it's used currently shown in media requires multiple of years of training by a master, doesn't seem believable for medieval peasants.

Chinese Ming warriors also have these ball and chain weapons so it makes sense, but these are elite warriors, not peasants.

A more realistic thing for peasant would be a stick with a scythe on top to become a makeshift spear:

It's certainly a cool weapon tho.