Medieval Oriental Weapons List

These notes were derived from (and are still mostly composed of!) the work of David Kuijit.

WHY MAKE CHANGES?

The changes to the weapons list involve primarily three things - damage, OCV bonuses and STR mins. The first has only been changed where weapons have damage which is clearly out of line. Under the old rules, for instance, a ninja-to did the same damage as a heavy two handed polearm. OCV mod.s have been altered to reflect the fact that some weapons have significantly different handling characteristics than others. As it stood so many weapons had the +1 OCV bonus that there was little to differentiate them. Finally STR mins were changed for a number of reasons. First, STR mins were too high for many weapons, requiring people of ordinary strength to take penalties for using many common weapons. Secondly, factors other than damage were taken into account when figuring STR min under the old list. This meant that a finely balanced knife which could be thrown, required more STR to use than a similar knife that was not. Finally, the costs (and therefore STR mins) of some weapons have changed somewhat due to the altered cost of HA, as noted in the house rules section. The mechanisms for these changes are detailed below. In addition to all this, several new weapons have been added - these are indicated.

MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CHANGES

1) ALL the OCV mods have been re-examined. In the finished list below, the only weapons that are given a +1 OCV are those that are abnormally fast (much faster than other weapons, usually doing correspondingly LESS damage) or abnormally hard to block and dodge. The only weapons that are given a -1 OCV are ones that are abnormally hard to use (flying claw, for example).

2) Every weapon with a +1 Stun Mod has been re-examined. In some cases they may be unchanged; in some they may be 0 Stun Mod, and in others they may be still +1 Stun Mod but -1 DC

 

NEW COMBAT RULES

1) Some few weapons are listed as "Dangerous to the user" (mostly chain weapons). Anyone fighting with such a weapon who rolls a natural 3 in combat will hit themselves, doing normal damage. Anyone without a WF in this weapon who fights with it will hit themselves as above on a 3, 4, 5, or 6.

2) In situations where a fighter has time to prepare himself (such as setting a (long) spear against a charge, entering a one-on-one duel, defending a portal and so on, they can act out of DEX order and go before an opponent with a shorter weapon.

Note that this also applies to readied missile weapons - you can't "run down" that crossbowman menacing you if he knows what you are up to and has an action ready.

Once melee is joined, weapon length is less important and is ignored - unless combat become *really* close (the opponents clinch, fight under a table, etc) in which case the user of the shorter weapon gets to act out of DEX order and act first.

This rule is intended to give a "real" feel without too much fuss, and should be applied to relatively simple duels and small engagements (2 vs 1, 1 vs 1). A weapon user may attempt to alter his strike priority by changing weapons or using an unarmed strike or throw.

3) The way STR Min works is changed: the STR Min listed is the STR Min at which you do FULL DAMAGE. For every full 5 pts STR over the STR Min, the character gets +1 DC. For every 5 pts of STR (or part thereof) _under_ the STR Min, the character loses 1 DC (-1 DC). And it is not possible to use a weapon at all if your STR is more than 10 pts under the listed STR Min. Use of weapons that require greater than the characters STR is very tiring: the character must pay 2 END per point of STR lacking.

STR MINS: STR Min is calculated using Active Pts/2. OCV Mods, whether positive or negative, do NOT figure in. Stretching DOES figure in. HAs are calculated at 5 pts active each, not 3, to make calculation standard at 5 pts per Damage Class. Finally, Two-handed melee weapons get an automatic -5 STR Min; 1.5H weapons have two STR Mins listed (one for one-handed fighting, the other for two-handed). The STR Min for a normal weapon used two-handed is -3 STR Min. Weapons that are +1 Stun or AP use their active points for calculating STR Min; ones that are -1 Stun have their STR Min calculated as if they were -1 DC from their listed damage. STR Min for Autofire throwing of weapons is based upon their active point cost, same as with +1 Stun weapons. However, these weapons have two STR Min listed: one for single shot, and one for autofire use.

 

BRIEF WEAPONS LIST

ARROWS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Normal arrow			normal	as for bow
Frog-crotch		+ 1 DC			Attack is Reduced Penetration
Hikime		-2 DC			Images versus normal hearing
Mato-Ya		(DC)			Converts K into normal DC
Willow Leaf		-1 DC			Attack is AP

BOWS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Hankyu Bow		1d6K		7	2H
Sling Bow		1/2d6K	+1	7	2H
Yumi (One-man)	+1 Rng	1d6K		9	Concentrate 1/2 DCV, 2H
Yumi (Two-man)	+1 Rng	1d6+1K		11	Concentrate 1/2 DCV, 2H
Yumi (Three-man)	+1 Rng	1.5d6K		14	Concentrate 1/2 DCV, 2H
Yumi (Four-man)	+1 Rng	2d6K		16	Concentrate 1/2 DCV, 2H

SHURIKEN

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Bo Shuriken		1/2d6K		5/7	AF-5
Endokuken		1/2d6K		5	also poison smoke
Star Shuriken
Large		1d6K		7
Medium		1/2d6K		5/7	AF-3
Small		1 ptK		2/4	AF-5
Tsubute		2d6N		5/7	AF-3

MISCELLANEOUS THROWN WEAPONS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Arare/Joarare		1d6K		7
Chuarare		1/2d6K		5/7	AF-3
Koarare		1 ptK		2/4	AF-5
Comet Star Hammer		1d6+1K		10	Also 2d6 Entangle
Fukimi-bari		1/2d6K		2	RP
Iron Mandarin Duck	-1	1/2d6K	+1	7
Steel Olive		1/2d6K		5
Steel Toad	-1	1/2d6K	+1	7
Wishful Steel Ball		1 ptK	+1	2

AXES & MACES

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Chinese Axe		1d6K		7	M. Can throw.
Copper Hammer		4d6N		10	S
Hand Mace		1d6K		7	M
Masakari: Blade		1d6+1K AP		12	L. 2H. +1" Range
Shaft		4d6N		12	L. 2H. +1" Range
Soft Hammer		1.5d6K		12	M. Dangerous to user.

BLADES

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Bokken		4d6N		10/7	M. 1.5H, Can throw
Bokken (Lt)		3d6N		7/4	M. 1.5H, Can throw.
Butterfly Sword		1d6+1K		10	M
Darn Do		1d6+1K		10	M
Hachiwari		1/2d6K	+1	7	S. +1 Bind, grab, disarm
Hook Sword		1d6+1K		10	M. +2 Bind etc., +6 DEF at location 6 on 11-
Jien	+1	1d6K		7	M
Katana		1d6+1K		10/7	M. 1.5H, Can throw.
Ko-Gatana		1/2d6K		5	S. Can throw.
Nine-Ring Sword		1d6+1K		10	M. +1 OCV w/ Disarm
Ninja-to Sword		1d6K	+1	11/8	M. 1.5H, Can throw.
No-Daichi		2d6+1K		15	L. 2H, +1" Rng
Razor, Straight		1/2d6K	-1		S. RP.
Shinai	+1	2d6N		5/2	M. 1.5H
Spread-the-Water Knife		1d6K		7	M.
Tanto		1/2d6K		5	S
Tetsu-to	-1	2.5d6K		20/17	M. 1.5H
Wakizashi		1d6K		7	M. Can throw.
Yoroi-Toshi		1/2d6K AP		7	S.

CHAIN AND ROPE

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Kusari		3d6N		7	M. 2H. +2" Range. +1 to Grab etc.
Kusarigama: Chain		3d6N		7	M. 2H. +2" Range. +1 to Grab etc.
Sickle		1/2d6K AP		7	M. 2H
Kyogetsu-Shoge: Chain		3d6N		7	M. 2H. +2" Range. +1 to Grab etc.
Hook		1/2d6K	+1	7	M. 2H.
Manriki-Gusari		3d6N		7	M. Can throw. +1 to Grab etc.
Oh-gama: Chain		3d6N		10	L. 2H. +2" Range. +1 to Grab etc.
Sickle		1d6+1K AP		15	L. 2H

FIST LOADS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Ashiko		1/2d6K		2	S. RP, +1 to Climbing roll
Yawara		2d6N		5	S
Nekote/Kakute		1 pt.K		2	S. Often poisoned
Ring Needle		1/2d6K		5	S
Shuko		1/2d6K		2	S. RP, +1 to Climbing roll
Tekko		1/2d6K		5	S.

POLEARMS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Bisento: Blade		1.5d6K	+1	16	L. 2H, +1" Range
Shaft		5d6N		16	L. 2H, +1" Range
Chai-Dao/Chiang:Blade	+1	1d6+1K		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
Shaft		4d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
Ghi: Blade		1d6+1K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range, +2 Bind etc.
Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Lance: Blade		1d6+1K		12/9	L. 1.5H, +1" Range
Shaft		4d6N		12/9	L. 1.5H, +1" Range
Naginata: Blade		1.5d6K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Nine Dragon Trident: Blade		1d6+1K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range, +2 Bind etc.
Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Sodegarami: Blade	+1	1d6+1K		7	L. 2H, +1" Range, +1 Bind etc.
: Shaft		4d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
Tai-Dao/Kwan Dao: Blade		1.5d6K	+1	16	L. 2H, +1" Range
: Shaft		5d6N		16	L. 2H, +1" Range
Tiger Fork: Blade		1.5d6K		7	L. 2H, RP, +1" Range
: Shaft		4d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
Wolf's Teeth Staff: Blade		2d6K		10	L. 2H. RP, +1" Range
: Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H., +1" Range
Kamayari: Blade		1.5d6K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range, +2 Block etc.
: Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Yari : Blade		1.5d6K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
: Shaft		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Long Yari: Blade	-1	1.5d6K		12	L. 2H, +2" Range
: Shaft	-1	5d6N		12	L. 2H
Very Long Yari: Blade	-1	1.5d6		15	L. 2H, +3" Range
: Shaft	-1	5d6N		15	L. 2H
Tampo-yari: Head		3d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
: Shaft		4d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range

MISCELLANEOUS

	OCV	Dam	STNx	STR Min	Notes
Bo (Staff)		5d6N		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
Chain Sword		1d6K		7	M-L. Dangerous to user.
Chain Whip	+1	1d6K		10	L. +1" Range
Chigiriki: Blade		1.5d6K		10	L. 2H, +1" Range
: Chain/Shaft		4d6N		10	L. 2H, +2" Range
Cymbal		1d6K		7	S. Can throw.
Fang: Blade/Point		1/2d6K		5	S
: Rod		2d6N		5	S
Flying Claw	-1	1d6K		12	L. +2" Range
Flying Guillotine	-1	1d6K		7	L. 2H, +2" Range, Extremities
Garrote, Strangling		3d6N		2	S. 2H, must follow grab and be aimed at head
Garrote, Wire		1/2d6K		2	S. 2H, must follow grab, Extremities
Hanbo (Jo)		3d6N		7	M
Jitte		3d6N		7	S. +2 Bind etc. and to break sword after Block
Kama		1/2d6K AP		7	M. Can be thrown
Kanzashi		1 pt K	-1	0	S
Kiseru		2d6N		5	S
Konsaibo		6d6N		12	L. 2H, +1" Range
Kumade: Tines		1d6+1K		7	L. 2H, RP, +1" Range,+1 to Grab, Bind, Block, Disarm, or Takeaway
: Shaft		4d6N		7	L. 2H, +1" Range
Mourn Staff		1.5d6K		10	M. RP
Nunchaku		3d6N		7	M. Dangerous to user
Rings		3d6N		7	S. Can be thrown
Rope Dart	-1	1/2d6K		10	L. +2" Range
Sai: Sharpened		1/2d6		5	S. Can be thrown. +2 Bind etc
: Normal		3d6N		7	S. Can be thrown. +2 Bind etc
Shinobi-Zue		4d6N		10	L. 2H, +2" Range. +1 to Grab, etc.
Sword-Spear		1d6K		7	M. Can be thrown

Tetsubo		7d6N		15	L. 2H, +1" Range
3-Section-Staff	+1	4d6N		10	SML. 2H, +1" Range,+2 Bind etc., Dangerous to user
Timbe		1/2d6K		5	S. Can be thrown
Tonfa		3d6N		7	S
War Fan, Basic		3d6N		7	S
War Fan, Edged		1/2d6K		7	S
: surface		3d6N		7	S
Wind/Fire Wheels :Saw-blade		1/2d6K		5	S. Can throw, +2 with Bind etc
Traditional		3d6N		7	S. Can throw, +2 with Bind etc

WIERD WEAPONS

	Damage	Notes
Metsubishi	explosive 2d6 Flash	(Sight group) AE 2" Radius, Nonselective.
Blown powder	2d6 Flash	(Sight group) No Range.
Nagedeppo	4d6 EB and 2d6 Flash	(Sight and Hearing) AE-1Hex. Flash is only 1d6 against targets that have been exposed to these devices more than once
Rochin	+6 DEF Armour	only left hand (location 6). +2 OCV with block, +1 DCV in melee. Requires weapon familiarity to gain benefits.
Sasumata	4d6 Entangle	take no damage from attacks, OAF, 1 rec chg, Only targets one extremity, requires wielder's attention
Smoke Grenade	1" Radius Darkness
Tetsubishi	1d6RKA	AE-1Hex, on 14-, lots of other limitations, see below
Toami: Small	4d6 Entangle	take no damage from attacks, OAF, 1 rec chg
Medium	4d6 Entangle
Large	4d6 Entangle	AE Radius (2" Radius)
Umebi	1.5d6RKA	Triggered when stepped on, AE-1Hex

LIST OF CHANGES

Most weapons with a +1 OCV lost the bonus. All the ones remaining are mentioned below with justifications

Arrows: there are millions of types, but no need for this complexity. In any culture that used arrows, there were at most four real distinctions: blunt arrows (the damage done is normal, not killing), regular arrows (various types of sharp, wide head), broadheads (represented by a broad variety of arrows in the Orient, including "frog-crotch" arrows), and armour- piercing arrows (in Europe, these were called "bodkin" (dagger) points.) I've simplified the arrow list to reflect this, and added the Hikime "humming bulb" arrow which was primarily used for signalling.

Arare: all the damage listed was too high, and has been reduced by one DC. In addition, the sizes have been standardized to three: Big (can only pitch one), Medium (can throw up to 3), and small (can throw up to 5).

Bokken (Light): (NEW!) this weapon is the natural extension of the normal bokken to a slightly smaller, lighter version.

Chigiriki: (NEW!) this weapon is described in UMA, p219 (Shinobi-zue paragraph), but not given a listing in the weapons list.

Flying Claw: anything where you're swinging a slashing weapon on a rope got a -1 OCV.

Fukimi-bari: the damage was just too high, and has been reduced by one DC. No way can you spit a knife as hard as you can thrust with one.

Iron Mandarin Duck: this was given a -1 OCV. It's a cool weapon, but seriously - how easy is it to throw an iron duck decoy?

Jien: one of the two swords to retain +1 OCV. Why? It is wicked fast. Note that it is the lightest (least damage) sword, and it is Med. weapon length. There's gotta be some reason why this is the favorite Chinese sword--it sure doesn't do a lot of damage!

Konsaibo: (NEW!) there needed to be a fighting staff doing 6d6 damage (half way between Bo damage and Tetsubo damage). I arbitrarily choose this name from many staff/reinforced staff names to represent such staffs.

Kyogetsu-Shoge: I decided that the hook for grappling, even if sharp, is going to be a less effective weapon than a sickle (but is going to leave uglier wounds). Thus I changed this from 1d6K/0 Stun to 1/2d6K/+1 Stun.

Lance: (NEW!) this is an universal cavalryman's weapon, a one-handed spear. Horseman's spears were primarily thrusting weapons, and the blade was shorter and smaller than the footman's spear. Both the footman's spear and horseman's spear were called yari, but I'm using the word `lance' to distinguish the horseman's weapon and `yari' to distinguish the footman's weapon. It can be used with two hands also, of course, which is why it has the stats for 1.5H use.

Oh-gama: (NEW!) this weapon is described in UMA, p215 (Kusarigama paragraph), but not given a listing in the weapons list.

Ninja-to: I changed this sword from 1.5d6K/+1Stun to 1d6+1K/+1Stun. Now it has exactly the same STR Min as a Katana, but `feels' different. I really didn't buy the idea of this weapon doing the same damage as the heaviest polearm.

Nunchaku: all flail weapons have "dangerous to user".

Rochin: (NEW!) This armour is mentioned in several places in UMA (one of which is p222, Timbe paragraph) but not given a listing in weapons or armour.

Rope Dart: anything where you're swinging a slashing weapon on a rope got a -1 OCV.

Shinai: this is the other sword that retained its +1 OCV. It is very fast, so very hard to block or dodge. And it does almost no damage

Shuriken: all the damage listed was too high, and has been reduced by one DC. In addition, the sizes have been standardized to three: Big (can only pitch one), Medium (can throw up to 3), and small (can throw up to 5).

Sling Bow: I decided in several places that a heavy ball bearing should do slightly less damage and more stun. So I changed this weapon from 1d6K/0 stun to 1/2d6K and +1 Stun.

Steel Toad: this was given a -1 OCV. Sure, you can sharpen the ends of an iron pond ornament, but you still haven't got a throwing knife.

Sasumata: (NEW!) Mancatcher. Curved spring arms on a long pole designed to trap a limb. Built as an entangle which takes no damage from attacks, with the extra limitations that it only targets one extremity, and the wielder must keep a grip on the shaft or else the target can easily free himself.

Tampo-yari: this is a practice yari, where the blade of the weapon is tightly bound with silk into a ball, or entirely replaced with a padded ball. In either case, the weapon looks like a shaft with a tennis ball on one end.

Tetsu-to: this is a strength-training weapon, deliberately made to be too heavy. It is not intended for use as a weapon. As such, I gave it -1 OCV.

Three-Section-Staff: this weapon is another flail-type weapon.

Toami (Large): 9" Radius in UMA, 2" radius here. Be serious!

Yari (Long): (NEW!) there was the need for an example of the pike, or very long spear. This sort of weapon is heavier and more awkward (thus -1 OCV) but has much greater range (thus +2" range). It's just a spear with a longer shaft. Great for killing horsemen.

Wishful Steel Ball. See comment for Sling Bow. Changed from 1d6K to 1/2d6K and +1 Stun.

Wolf's Teeth Staff: there are a couple of weapons (see Mourn Staff) that involve a lot of small teeth rather than a single blade. This sort of thing leaves ugly wounds (+1 DC) but is not as good against armour (Reduced Penetration). So I changed this from 1.5d6K to 2d6K/RP.

WEAPON LIST (Simple Description)

Aikuchi: A dagger without a handguard. Often used by female Buke. Use the stat.s for the Tanto

Arare: "Hailstones" <may be used as tetsubishi>. Also called igadama.

Bisento: Polearm. A heavy chopping weapon.

Bo: A hardwood staff. Also called rokushakubo (6' staff).

Bokken: Wooden practice sword.

Chigiriki: Spear with a 3-10' long weighted chain attached to it.

Daikyu: <see yumi>

Daisho: <paired samurai blades. See katana and wakizashi>

Eiku: Karate weapon. This is an oar. See bo for stats.

Fuetsu: Iron hafted axe. Not a common weapon - use stat.s for Chinese Axe

Fukimi-bari: Darts held in the hand or spit from the mouth. Ninja weapon.

Gunsen: <see tessen>

Hamidashi <see tanto>

Hachiwari: The name means "helmet splitter", but the weapon was primarily used as a parrying dagger. Very heavy-bladed weapon,with a small prong like a jitte to assist parrying.

Hanbo/Jo: Fighting stick. Use these stats for any scabbard.

Hankyu: Short bow favored by ninja.

Jitte: A metal club used to parry swords, often carried by police. Uses the stats for Sai, but cannot be thrown. Gives +2 OCV in an attemptto break a sword or similar bladed weapon after a successful block maneuver. (This was a common technique)

Kaiken. <see Yoroi-Toshi>

Kakute: "horn finger" ring. Use the stats for Nekote.

Kama: Sickle. Karate weapon.

Kamayari: Spear with back-hook.

Kanabo: Iron club. <see tetsubo>

Kanzashi: Two-tined hair needle, up to 8" long. Favored by the kunoichi. Very easy to conceal.

Katana: Samurai sword. Other versions are the odachi and the tachi. (same stats)

Kawa-naga: A grappling hook on a rope. Use the Stat.s for the Flying Claw, but it can alo be used as a regular grappling hook to aid climbing. Sometimes the rope was replaced by a chain, in which case it is basically the same as the Kyogetsu-Shoge.

Kiseru. An iron pipe for tobacco. Sometimes as long as 2 - 3 feet, this was a "stealth" weapon favoured by gamblers, since it doesn't appear to be a weapon at all. Use the stat.s for the Hanbo.

Kodachi: Older form of the wakizashi. <see wakizashi>

Ko-gatana: Small knife held in one side of a wakizashi scabbard. Also called Kozuka, these can be thrown like a Bo shuriken, but were usually employed to carry a head taken by the samurai by thrusting it through the top-knot. A similar blade called the Kogai was sometimes carried instead. This had the user's crest and could be left in a body to identify its slayer - normally on the battlefield.

Konsaibo: This is a reinforced staff, like a tetsubo but not as heavy.

Kumade: "Bear's Claw". A species of rake on a long pole. Used primarily to unhorse opposing horsemen; can be used while mounted. A rare weapon. Illustrations of the Momoyama period and Sengoku Jidai show it in use (although not common) with foot and horsemen.

Kusari: 12' chain weapon.

Kusarigama: Chain weapon with a sickle (kama) on one end.

Kyogetsu Shoge: Chain or rope weapon with a double-edged knife backed with a curved spike, on one end of the chain and an iron ring on the other.

Manriki-gusari: Short weighted chain. Also called manriki or kusarifundo.

Masakari: "Battle Axe". An axe on a long shaft. A rare weapon. Shown in illustrations used by footmen.

Metsubishi: Small blinding grenade.

Nagedeppo: Primitive grenade.

Nagegama: A short javelin with a cahin hidden inside its shaft. Favoured by sohei and ninja, who often disguised the blade to make it look like a staff. Use the stat.s for the Comet Star Hammer

Naginata: Polearm. Other versions are the nagemaki or nagakami, which has a shorter haft. Use the same stat.s as for the naginata, but it is a M sized weapon.

Nekote: Cat's claws. Five metal claws that fit on the fingertips.

Ninja-to: Ninja sword/utility belt. Also called shinobi-gatama, shinobigatana, ninja-ken.

Nunchaku: Karate weapon. A wooden flail. Often used in pairs.

Oh-gama: Large (battlefield) version of the kusarigama.

Ono: A heavy poleaxe. A fairly uncommon weapon. Use the stat.s for the Bisento.

Rochin: Karate weapon. Tortoise-shell shield used with timbe.

Sai: Karate weapon. Blunt three-pronged parrying dagger. Other versions are the jitte (one tine missing; popular among ninja because easier to conceal) and nunte (one tine is bent backwards). All versions have the same stats.

Sasumata: Mancatcher. Often used by the Doshin to capture criminals, it has a head comprised of two curved arms with hooks inside which are designed to spring closed and catch a limb inside.

Shinobi-zue: Lead-loaded bamboo staff with 6' chain hidden inside.

Shinai: Bamboo practice sword.

Shuko: Ninja climbing claws. Also called tekkokagi.

Shuriken Throwing weapon. Hira (star) shuriken or bo (spike) shuriken. Usually 9 shots (esp. for ninja).

Sodegarami: T-shaped spear with barbs around the end to entangle an enemies' sleeve.

Suruchin: Weighted rope, karate weapon. See Manriki for stats.

Tanto: Dagger. Similar weapons are the aikuchi and hamidashi.

Tekko: Karate weapon. Also sometimes called Tokko - a fistload shaped like a lightning bolt at each end. Since it could be made to look like the Buddhist thunderbolt symbol it could be worn where weapons were prohibited and thus was favoured by miltant Buddhist monks.

Tessen: War fan. Also called gunsen or (in its non-folding form) Gumbai-uchiwa.

Tetsubo: Hardwood staff covered with studded iron plates.

Tetsubishi: Caltrops. 1d6 RKA, AEOneHex (+1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), Continuous (+1), IAF (-1/2), Activation Roll 14- (-1/2), 2 Recoverable Charges (-1) No KB (-1/4), Only affects characters moving on the ground (-1/4), Dex Roll Cancels Affect if aware of them (-1/4). Characters may move through them slowly without danger; always targets hit location 18 (feet). 45 active, 12 real.

Timbe: Karate weapon. Short staff (18") with a small spearhead on one end. Used with rochin (tortoise-shell shield).

Toami: Net.

Tonfa: Karate weapon - a short wooden shaft with a perpendicular handle 1/3 of the way up its length. Similar to the modern police baton

Tsubute: Blunt shuriken

Umebi: Primitive land-mine used by ninja.

Wakizashi: Shorter companion sword of the daisho.

Yari: Spear. Spears had a wide variety of heads, including L-shaped and T-shaped versions.

Yawara: Fist-load.

Yoroi-toshi: Armour-piercing dagger. The Kaiken was a similar weapon.

Yumi: Bow. Also called daikyu.

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