MARTIAL ARTS : NINJA 4

Ninja : WALL CLIMBING DEVICES

The Ninja used a multitude of hooks, rakes, and collapsible ladders to scale enemy walls when necessary. The grappling hook is by far the best auxiliary tool/weapon for the individual.

It is small, easily concealable, lightweight and, in the proper hands, noiseless. Further, the vicious hook can be used to flail the enemy, to entangle his weapon, or simply to beat him; the sageo (cord) can be employed as a whip, as a net, or to bind and strangle the enemy. The primary use, however, is in extending the reach of the user.

Hooks may be single, double, or multi-pointed. In an emergency the sayo (scabbard) can be tied at the end of the cord and wedged in a manner which will anchor the line. The cord of the grapple is derived from sageo which the Ninja wore on his scabbard. The hook is a derivative of the tsubo.
It is advisable to attach a short length of chain between the hook and the cord to prevent fraying. This adds but little weight and actually increases the accuracy of the cast.

Fig. 1-Illustrated is the basic four-prong snatch-hook apparatus. The grapple consists Of four steel hooks welded at right angles, ending in two rings; covered with approximately two ounces of lead (for weight). These may be purchased at any fishing supply house at reasonable cost, and of a size and nature to suit the user. The grapple is attached to the cord by means of a short length of chain, which is linked to the double rings in the ends of the grapple and to a loop in the end of the line by master links. The cord itself is nylon line, one-half inch in diameter.


All of the above apparatus is capable of supporting at least 200 pounds. All scaling apparatus must be checked before use to insure safety. The grapple and chain are normally held in the right hand, while the left holds the line loosely coiled.

Naturally, for the grappling hook to be effective, the implement itself must sail over the obstacle, and carry the cord with it. Then the hook may be set and the wall ascended. However, two things make this difficult: the method of casting the hook; and the play-out of the line. One can throw the grapple precisely into place, but if the line tangles or hangs up, the toss is useless. Therefore, learn to coil the line.

Fig. 2 - Hold approximately six inches of the cord between the ball of the thumb and the first joint of the index finger of the left hand. Take a similar grip about two feet down the cord with the right hand, and pull the line taut.

Fig. 3 - Bring the right hand to the left, twisting the rope between the fingers of the right hand to impart a slight curl to the line. Slip this coil between the fingers of the left hand, forming a loop about eight inches in diameter in the left hand.

Fig. 4 - Holding the loop in the left hand, slide the right hand down the rope the same distance as before, and coil another loop into the left hand, remembering to twist the line, until the entire twenty or so feet have been collected lariat style in the left hand.


Ninja : SPIN METHOD OF THROWING THE GRAPPLE


Fig. 1-Hold the grapple by the end of the chain and whirl it clockwise to build up momentum; the faster the spin, the higher the hook will sail. Centripetal force will cause the hook to fly off tangentially to the circular path which you are creating. Hold the rope loosely coiled in the left hand. Be careful to hold the hook away from the body, lest you accidentally hook your leg.

Fig. 2- Release the chain and grapple in an underhand toss in such a manner that the hook sails over the wall. Note that the line plays out of the left hand smoothly as the fingers are slightly opened.

This method is employed when it is necessary to scale an unusually high wall, or where there is little room to throw effectively.


Ninja : HOOK METHOD OF THROWING THE GRAPPLE

Fig. 1 -Hold the chain and grapple in the right hand by the loop. Let the grapple almost touch the ground near the right foot. Shift the weight slightly to the rear. Hold the rope loosely coiled in the left hand. Look at the spot where you want the grapple to strike.

Fig. 2-Sling the grapple over the wall in the same way you would shoot a hook shot in basketball. This is by far the most accurate method for scaling walls of moderate height. Note that the weight is shifted forward on the cast, and that the fine feeds smoothly out of the coils in the left hand.



Ninja : TOSS METHOD OF THROWING THE GRAPPLE

Fig. 1-Hold the grapple, chain and all, in the right hand. Hold the rope loosely coiled in the left hand. Toss the grapple upward over the wall, allowing the chain to play out en masse. This technique is used to place the grapple on the summit of a low wall. The Grapple is a variation of the Ninja Retrievable Stone technique.

The agent would practice hurling and whipping a weighted ball on the end of a rope as a weapon. In combat, this flail or mace could be devastating.

Likewise, when the rope was tipped with a knife or blade, the Rope Dart techniques of throwing and retrieving the knife came into play. This practice enabled the Ninja to use his Grapple to great advantage.







Ninja : ROPE CLIMBING ABILITY

Once the grapple has cleared the wall, the line is gradually pulled until the hook is set. This means that the hook digs into wood or stone sufficiently to hold your weight, or that the grapple becomes wedged between two obstructions tightly enough to hold you. Test the set by jerking sharply on
the line to see if the hook is only snagged. If it is, this action will either dig the hook in, or pop the hook free. Having set the hook, look about to see if your actions were observed. Then ascend.

Fig. 1 -The quickest method for this is hand-over-hand with the feet braced against the wall. Gravity will hold your feet to the surface as you climb by alternately advancing the opposite arm and leg.

Fig.2 -In those cases where such wall walking is impractical, one may simply climb the rope. Some Ninja used a method of climbing which employed the toes to grip the rope. Since they wore the tabi (split-toed socks), this was a matter of toe strength in most cases. This can be accomplished, however, by tying knots at regular intervals, and stepping on them with the toes. Alternately, one can cross the legs and grip the rope between them to gain a bit more purchase for climbing.