Japanese Axe Weapons

Not just for fighting fires source.

Japanese axe weapons. This versatile weapon resembles the halberd used by european soldiers. Polearm and related weapons. The ono 斧 historically wono をの or masakari is the japanese word for an axe and is used to describe various tools of similar structure. The axe handles or hafts are made of the sapwood of japanese white oak.

With the individual japanese axes and hatchets in the second line we list the japanese name provided by the manufacturer. Japan s stone axes predate those of iron and steel and made ono a preferred weapon of japan s ancient yamabushi or warrior monks. The yamabushi used these pole axes some six feet tall in the thick of battle whirling them around at varying heights. This was the main japanese weapon used in the martial art known as tantojutsu which was popular in the edo period.

The most common type of polearm used in early medieval japan was known as the naginata and techniques of its use were called naginata jutsu. It will be particularly good for splitting kindling. The 4 1 2 laminated steel blade has a bearded shape which brings the center of gravity closer to your hand. The high carbon edge is sandwiched between thick layers of softer steel that give the super sharp edge great strength.

This is a tough axe with great balance. As with axes in other cultures ono are sometimes employed as weapons. These names are very inconsistent in japan and also vary a great deal by region. In the japanese folklore the axe was the weapon of choice of kintaro 金太郎 and in many ukiyo e huge war axes were associated with mighty warriors.