The Weapons of Shi

[Achilles]

I think it is interesting that Shi used the Naginata. Why?
Well you just don't seem them that much in Martial Arts movies. It is normally the Samurai sword, spears, Bow, Staff, Numchucks (not sure of spelling), Sheracon (not sure of spelling).

I think if the movie ever gets made, it will certainly draw some interest on this particular weapon. I did a web search last night and their are clubs all over the world that have their students train with these (Wooden ones) thank goodness. Prevents a lot of needless death ;D

Still it is very interesting. Does anyone on this board practice with one of these, or go to a club or school which teaches the use of said weapon?

[hauntmaster]

Traditionally, women of the warrior class in Japan were trained with the naginata rather than other weapons. Its reach and usefulness as a defensive weapon helped negate the physical advantages the average male opponent would have in combat.
The naginata was also preferred by many warrior monks for many of the same reasons. They usually were more lightly armored than a samurai and relied more on a naginata for defense (not to mention the 'legendary water wheel' technique!).
Given this, it makes sense for Shi to use it as her weapon of choice.

[Achilles]

Thanks for the information on the Naginata. Very interesting.

[Delvie]

Yeah, what Kuro said. I actually find it more interesting that she doesn't make use of the shuriken she wears on her fore arms more often. I also find it more interesting the diversity of weapons she has in her weapons locker.

If we ever get to see Yoshitora fighting to protect his prodigy again, it would be cool to see him using manriki against his attackers. Also, longer fight scenes using aikido would be very interesting. Maybe because I don't venture outside Shi much, but I don't recall ever seeing aikido portrayed in comics.

[Achilles]

....that's because Steven Seagal said he hadn't invented it yet!!!........... ;D

(I am just kidding)

Where are the Shuriken on the forearms of Shi? I noticed two long stick like devices on the forearms that look like they are buckled down with small ties. Leastways, that is what I see on a cover of Shi that I own.

I like the Naginata. It makes a lot of sense because Shi would be at a disadvantage fighting a longer armed male opponent. Plus it looks kind of cool. It also looks like she could use it for lawn maintenance as a weed wacker. LoL!!!

[Delvie]

Those are shuriken

[Achilles]

I thought Shuriken were the razor edged star shaped weapons that I have seen used in movies.

[hauntmaster]

They are. While I'm not sure if modern martial arts nomenclature concurs with this, historically a shuriken was any small throwing weapon. Hence, kunai (throwing knives-very common), Shi's spikes (very rarely used historically), and the infamous ninja throwing stars (used so rarely in Japan before the nineteenth century I'd be hard pressed to find one documented case) were all shuriken along with other things like small darts. Each weapon also has its own specific name (Delvie can give you the specific name for throwing stars-I've forgotten again ^_^). It's kind of like a Colt .45 Automatic and a .38 Police Revolver are different types of handguns, but are both still classified as handguns.
Some of the other inclusions in Shi's cabinet are suspect-the sai, for instance, were originally farm tools used by peasants to turn soil (a medieval Garden Weasel!). They would be used by peasants as weapons when pressed but not by a warrior (at least not in Japan).  
And I still think she needs a teppo!

[Delvie]

Each weapon also has its own specific name (Delvie can give you the specific name for throwing stars-I've forgotten again ^_^). It's kind of like a Colt .45 Automatic and a .38 Police Revolver are different types of handguns, but are both still classified as handguns.

The specific name for a "Throwing Star" is Shaken, where as, the only specific name I've ever found refering to the throwing spikes are Shuriken. Tetsubishi (water chestnuts) were also occasionally used as Shuriken, but primarily to be thown in the face to blind or distract. ((YES. When you run out of things to throw, THROW NUTS! That'll stop 'em!!))

Some of the other inclusions in Shi's cabinet are suspect-the sai...  ...They would be used by peasants as weapons when pressed but not by a warrior (at least not in Japan).

YAY! Somebody else noticed it, too. Every time I see a cover w/ Shi using a Korean sword or a Chinese sword I snicker, but seeing her w/a  Sai makes my eyes cross. Of course, the 1st time we see Shi in connection w/ a Sai in her weapons locker.
 

And I still think she needs a teppo!

Wouldn't that sort  of blow a big hole (pardon the pun) in the whole stealth routine?

[Achilles]

Doing a search on google images brought up pictures of different styles of Shuriken. I found the dart shaped ones that Shi uses. Now they should have her use these more often in the comic and hopefully in the movie.

Speaking of the movie, if Mimi follows the example of the production company that made Tomb Raider, then financing through German companies is the answer. The studio only had to pay out 7 million for a picture that cost 94 million to make. So if Lion Eyes Production does this then they can afford a big name actress.

I still think they should use Jaymee Ong. She has the perfect skin color that matches up well with those Shuriken. ;D

[hauntmaster]

 "When you run out of things to throw, THROW NUTS! That'll stop 'em!!"like
Kind of like the scene in Samurai Fiction where the retired sword master tells his student the only way to defeat the evil ronin is to throw rocks at him...!
 
Wouldn't that sort  of blow a big hole (pardon the pun) in the whole stealth routine?
Well-there were the sneaky ninja Shimazu tall grass snipers!

[Achilles]

I tried to post a pic, but it failed miserably. I will try again later.

[Delvie]

Well-there were the sneaky ninja Shimazu tall grass snipers!

It's a good thing I wasn't a ninja sniper. The way my luck runs, my teppo would set the grass around me on fire. Yes, I can be my own worst enemy @ times. It's rather amusing after awhile.

[Delvie]

I tried to post a pic, but it failed miserably. I will try again later.

pm me the link, I'll post it.

[Achilles]

Now I got the hang of posting these pictures. These look like the kind that are on Shi's forearms. The movie should have a scene with Shi using these. It would remind me of House of Flying Daggers where Andy Lau throws the sharpened wooden stakes at the enemy troops.

[Delvie]

Completely off topic, but since you mention it, the drum scene was awesome. Lickie hasn't seen it yet. I've got the DVD so we're watching it together tomorrow night.

[Achilles]

The drum scene is awesome and so is the scene where Jin shoots the four arrows and they all hit the four guys at once. They did a great job with the special effects in the film. The color in the movie has a starring role of its own. Makes you want to see a Bamboo Forest and just walk around in it.

[Delvie]

Does anyone on this board practice with one of these, or go to a club or school which teaches the use of said weapon?

Yes & no. Have I recieved official sanctioned training for Naginata? No.
I have some VHS & DVDs that I use regularly as training tools.

Tennin Ryu Naginata
Eisshin Ryu Naginata
The Naginata @ It's Best
Naginata: Ancient Modern Motion
Naginatajitsu - Don Angier
Naganata: Kyoshitsu
Naginata: A Link To The Past
The 30th Anniversary Celebration pf The Naginata Federation
The INF 3rd World Championships
The INF Naginata Friendship Tournament

Doing a search on google images brought up pictures of different styles of Shuriken. I found the dart shaped ones that Shi uses. Now they should have her use these more often in the comic and hopefully in the movie.

Here is an interesting website that I have bookmarked to research later for accuracy. http://www.secrets-of-shuriken.com.au/schools.htm I find their comments on Shaken suspect, so chances are, it all is.
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[Nishiko]

Still it is very interesting. Does anyone on this board practice with one of these, or go to a club or school which teaches the use of said weapon?

I do. http://www.noblehouse.afternet.com/

[Delvie]

Click on Dojo organization @ the bottom of the page. It has mention of Naginata in curriculum section.

[Achilles]

Nishiko,

Have you sparred with people with one of these. Do you wear protective pads as well as head gear? How do they score with a point system. Is it full contact or just in the chest and stomach region for points?

[Nishiko]

A key difference to note immediately: ours is a kenjutsu school -- one that deals in several disciplines that form a complete, cohesive art -- rather than a kendo/etc. school which focuses on the sporting aspects of each discipline. The naginata we use (that I've seen) are primarily for high-speed kata as opposed to sparring. When we spar, we put on full bougu and use shinai that we make ourselves in the manner the style's founder made them (ie. we don't use kendo shinai). The usual point areas are the head, hands, forearms and body. Sparring is usually done full-contact, unless there are specific exercises Sensei wants us to do; one example is of a person in full bougu attempting to evade the strikes of an unarmored opponent, with no counterattacks allowed. Sometimes there'll be specific techniques Sensei wants employed during sparring matches to see how effectively each person can use them.

[Achilles]

So do you work with the Bow and arrow as well? Isn't that called Kyudo?

Do you wear the clothes similar to Aikido. The baggy pants that hide the feet.

[Nishiko]

So do you work with the Bow and arrow as well? Isn't that called Kyudo?

Do you wear the clothes similar to Aikido. The baggy pants that hide the feet.

Did you look at the link I posted? There are pictures in the 'Event Photos' section.

[Achilles]

It looks very similar to Aikido outfits. It reminds me of what Steven Seagal wore in "Above the Law" when he is teaching the class in the beginning.