Used by ninjas to scale walls, climb trees, and aid in quick escapes, climbing skill is a ninja warrior necessity. Although climbing skills at low level are acquired by many people childhood, a Ninja’s ability to scale any obstacle requires a great deal of practice. Climbing is not just the act of ascending an object because Ninja must also feel comfortable and be able to move about naturally and easily at the elevated position. This is why balance is the most important part of a Ninja’s climbing skills.

Ninja Climbing Equipment

To improve the Ninja’s natural climbing ability, there are a variety of specialized tools that allow for more complex climbing feats to be accomplished. Strong grip, good balance and determination are required for true climbing skill. A specialized climbing tool only enhances one’s probability for success, it does not ensure it. Only long hours of hard training with each tool provide the Ninja with the necessary skill to surpass any obstacles that stand between him and his objective.

Tobi kunai (Scaling wedge)

This is a piece of thick iron shaped like a knife with a length of rope attached to its handle. The Ninja would force its pointed end into any natural cracks found along the surface of a stone wall. The Ninja would usually use two tobi kunai to ascend quicker. He would step onto the first tobi while at the same time he could attach a second tobi kunai higher on the wall. Once balanced on the second wedge, the Ninja would pull on the rope that was attached to the first tobi kunai to remove it from its position so it could serve as another step.

Shinobi kumade (Climbing pole)

This tool is quite effective in wall climbing. It is a long pole with a rake-like hook on one end. The Ninja would attach the rake to the edge of the wall and walk up the wall while at the same time ascend the pole with his hands. At the top of the wall, the Ninja would release his grip on the pole and seize the wall’s edge with his hand.

The Shuko and Ashiko (Hand and foot claws)

It provided extra grip while climbing. These were especially useful when climbing the outside structure of castles and other buildings. Castles walls were usually surrounded by a moat so the moisture of the stagnant water made it somewhat slippery to the bare hand. The claws helped ninjas in a way that they could wedge them in the gaps between the rocks of the wall. Claws with the sharp talons penetrating the wood were very useful when climbing the tree and in close combat.

The Take bashigo (Bamboo ladder)

This was usually used by a group of Ninja needed to ascend a wall quickly and quietly. The last Ninja would pull up the ladder which would be placed down the other side of the wall, for an equally quick descent. The Take bashigo would then be hidden so it could be reused during escape.

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