Kusari-gama

The Kusari-Gama (鎖鎌, Kusari-Gama^? , lit. "Chain Sickle") is a melee weapon in Ninja Gaiden II, obtained in Chapter 5: The Aqua Capital. It also appears in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, and Ninja Gaiden II: Black, acquired in Chapter 7: The Lycanthropes' Castle.

It makes a return in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, first seen upon collecting 30 Golden Scarabs.

Details[]

The kusari-gama, or chain-sickle, is a traditional ninja weapon
consisting of an iron weight on a chain attached to the handle
of a sickle. While capable of a vast array of free-form attacks,
it is notoriously difficult to control and requires extensive training.

Crafted by master weaponsmith Shishido Tessai, this particular
kusari-gama is unusually long and heavy, making it even more
unpredictable than normal. Although renowned for his unorthodox
approach to making weapons, there seems to be some bad blood
between Shishido and Muramasa.

Location[]

Chapter 5: The Aqua Capital
- On the corpse of a ninja down the stairs to the left of the first bridge.

Chapter 7: The Lycanthropes' Castle
- On the corpse of a ninja on the cliff path after Gogmagog.

Obtained by collecting 30 Golden Scarabs.

Upgrades[]

In the Blacksmith section of Muramasa's Shop, you may spend Yellow Essence to upgrade your melee weapons:

Difficulty	Level 2	Level 3
Path of the Acolyte	10000	20000
Path of the Warrior	10000	30000
Path of the Mentor	15000	35000
Path of the Master Ninja	20000	40000

You may only upgrade melee weapons at any Muramasa's Shop marked with a blue lantern.

Only one weapon may be upgraded at a time.

Upgrading weapons does not cost Yellow Essence.

Directly upgrades to Level 4 by defeating Fiend Genshin in Chapter 17.

Press Select to access the Ninja Skills screen, then choose which upgrades to learn:

Difficulty	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Hero	10000	150000	400000
Normal	10000	150000	400000
Hard	10000	180000	480000
Master Ninja	10000	150000	400000
Ultimate Ninja	10000	300000	800000

Strengths and Weaknesses[]

Strengths

Has a swing arc so wide it easily clears the whole screen
Moderately fast
Has various combinations of short and long range attacks
Very efficient for crowd control
Useful against large groups of enemies
Has a guaranteed dismember technique for small enemies.
Can Izuna Drop in Razor's Edge. (Input: X, Y, Y, X, Y)

Weaknesses

Medium Strength weapon
Little stun against large enemies
Few wall attacks
Some of the attacks are quite slow, making Ryu suffer against faster enemies
Y mashing attack input reduced in Razor's Edge (Meaning you cannot perform the super long swing arc duration from the second game.)

Techniques[]

Name	Notation	Note	Level
Face Strike
Great Sweep
Ear Slicer
Raging Star
Serpent Swing
Midnight Blade
Shrike Drop	Hold when hitting enemy
Skull Shatterer
Flying Vine
Demon Cutter	Hold when hitting enemy
Hunting Heavens
Falling Snow
Temple Bell Drop
One Hundred Flames
Flying Vines
Demon Cutter	Hold when hitting enemy
Flying Vines
Demon Cutter	Hold when hitting enemy
One Hundred Feet
Fuji Drop
Thunderous Flying Sparrow
Spiral Attack
Reverse Great Spin
Immense Tragedy
Storm of Six Flowers
Pounding Gate
Dance of Nine Dragons
Sweeping Clouds
Dancing Maple
Giant Bell Drop
Flying Vine
Demon Cutter	Hold when hitting enemy
Great Shears	While running
Absence of Light	While running
Flowing Spin
Raging Wind
Furious Whirlwind
Midnight Blade
Shrike Drop	Hold when hitting enemy
Flying Vine
Demon Cutter	Hold when hitting enemy
Music of Haze	While blocking
Sweeping Willow	While blocking
Hunter's Slash	Next to downed enemy

Slicing Wind	While jumping
One Hundred Flames	While jumping
Thunderous Light	While jumping
Flowing Spin	While landing jump
Guillotine Throw	While jumping near enemy

Flying Scythe	While wall running
Flowing Dragon	On wall
Giant Serpent Drop	On wall
Flowing Dragon	During Flying Bird Flip
Giant Serpent Drop	During Flying Bird Flip

Waterfall Breaker	While running on water
Falling Thunder Flying Sparrow	While running on water
Shell Spiral	While running on water
Giant Toad Drop	At water surface
Falling Thunder Flying Sparrow	At water surface
Devastation Above	Underwater
Insane Agitation	Underwater

Reverse Wind
Wind Path	While jumping near enemy
Wind Run
Flying Bird Flip	On wall
Calm Water Run	While running on water
Calm Water Break	While running on water

Name	Notation		Note
Face Strike	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Great Sweep	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ear Slicer	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Raging Star	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Swing	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Midnight Blade	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shrike Drop	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Skull Shatterer	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Vine	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Hunting Heavens	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Falling Snow	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Temple Bell Drop	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
One Hundred Flames	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Vine	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Flying Vine	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
One Hundred Feet	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Fuji Drop	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Thunderous Flying Sparrow	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Spiral Attack	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Reverse Great Spin	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Immense Tragedy	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Storm of Six Flowers	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Pouding Gate	Xbox	Essence
	PlayStation	Essence
	Nintendo	Essence
Dance of Nine Dragons	Xbox	Essence Full
	PlayStation	Essence Full
	Nintendo	Essence Full
Sweeping Clouds	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Dancing Maple	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Giant Bell Drop	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Vine	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Great Shears	Xbox	While running
	PlayStation	While running
	Nintendo	While running
Absence of Light	Xbox	While running
	PlayStation	While running
	Nintendo	While running
Flowing Spin	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Raging Wind	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Whirlwind	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Midnight Blade	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shrike Drop	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Flying Vine	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Music Haze	Xbox	While blocking
	PlayStation	While blocking
	Nintendo	While blocking
Sweeping Willow	Xbox	While blocking
	PlayStation	While blocking
	Nintendo	While blocking
Hunter's Slash	Xbox	Next to downed enemy
	PlayStation	Next to downed enemy
	Nintendo	Next to downed enemy

Slicing Wind	Xbox	While jumping
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
One Hundred Flames	Xbox	While jumping
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Thunderous Light	Xbox	While jumping
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Flowing Spin	Xbox	While landing jump
	PlayStation	While landing jump
	Nintendo	While landing jump
Guillotine Throw	Xbox	While jumping near enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	While jumping near enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping near enemy

Flying Scythe	Xbox	While wall running or
	PlayStation	While wall running or
	Nintendo	While wall running or
Flowing Dragon	Xbox	On wall
	PlayStation	On wall
	Nintendo	On wall
Giant Serpent Drop	Xbox	On wall
	PlayStation	On wall
	Nintendo	On wall
Flowing Dragon	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip
Giant Serpent Drop	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip

Waterfall Breaker	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Falling Thunder Flying Sparrow	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Shell Spiral	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Giant Toad Drop	Xbox	At water surface
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Falling Thunder Flying Sparrow	Xbox	At water surface
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Devastation Above	Xbox	Underwater
	PlayStation	Underwater
	Nintendo	Underwater
Insane Agitation	Xbox	Underwater
	PlayStation	Underwater
	Nintendo	Underwater

Reverse Wind	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wind Path	Xbox	While jumping near enemy
	PlayStation	While jumping near enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping near enemy
Wind Run	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Bird Flip	Xbox	On wall
	PlayStation	On wall
	Nintendo	On wall
Calm Water Run	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Calm Water Break	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water

A single Strong Attack and any combo string ending in a Strong Attack can be extended into Flying Vine (Lv1 Forward Strong Attack) or Demon Cutter (Lv2 Forward Strong Attack — Throw).

Does not apply to "Hold Strong Attack, Release" Techniques, unless reported.

Name	Notation	Note	Level
• STANDING
Twilight Storm	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Great Sweep	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Night Storm	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Skull Shatterer	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Dragon of Heaven Helix	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Spirit's Rage	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Night Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Mortal Night	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ground Gust	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Midnight Blade	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ghost Strike	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Midnight Blade	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ghost Strike	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Sweeping Clouds	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Enenra Sweep	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Great Shears	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Supreme Mortal Strike	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Enenra Mortal Strike	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Kurikara	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crouching Tiger Slash	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Canine Destruction	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Raging Tiger Crush	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Standing Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Mortal Wolf Strike	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crouching Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Hunting Heavens	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Clear Mist	Xbox	AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Celestial Strike	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Manjushage	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shadow Reptile	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Deathly Beast Charge	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Roaring Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Dark Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Bloody Harvest	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Mortal Decimation	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Hunting Heavens	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Clear Mist	Xbox	AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Celestial Strike	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flowing Spin	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Wind	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Whirlwind	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Mortal Strike	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wild Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Vine	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Storm of Six Winds	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Vine	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Demon Cutter	Xbox	THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Wind	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Whirlwind	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Mortal Strike	Xbox		LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wild Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Storm Ascendant	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Storm of Six Flowers	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• RUNNING
Mishaguji	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Absence of Light	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Dark Serpent Spirit	Xbox		LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• STANDING JUMP — RUNNING JUMP
Twisting Serpent	Xbox	AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Hailstorm	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Izuna Drop	Xbox	THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shinji Drop Blast	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Bloody Moon	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• SLIDING HIT
Clear Cloud	Xbox	AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Heaven Fang	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• WALL JUMP
Hailstorm	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Great Serpent Drop Blast	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Spirit's Wrath	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• WALL RUN
Flying Scythe	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Hailstorm	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Giant Serpent Drop	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Spirit's Wrath	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• FLYING SWALLOW BLOCKED
Hailstorm	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flowing Dragon	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• FLYING BIRD FLIP
Flowing Dragon	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Giant Serpent Drop	Xbox	DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Serpent Spirit's Wrath	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• SABAKI
Gossamer Top	Xbox		LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flowing Mist	Xbox	AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo

Trivia[]

Completing Ninja Gaiden II on any difficulty level using only this as a melee weapon unlocks the "Kusari-gama Master" Achievement.
Defeating 1000 enemies in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 with this weapon unlocks the "Kusari-gama Master" Achievement/Trophy.
Defeating 1000 enemies in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge with this weapon unlocks the "Kusari-gama Master" Achievement/Trophy.
Upgrading this weapon to Level 3 in the Master Collection edition of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge unlocks the "Kusari-gama Expert" Achievement/Trophy.
Largest area of effect and range.
Ryu's method of wielding the Kusarigama is fairly unique. Traditionally the Kusarigama was wielded by holding the sickle while swinging the chain to bludgeon or entangle opponents and using the sickle as a close range coup de grace. Common depictions of the Kusarigama in fictional works have characters swinging the blade end of the Kusarigama. Ryu himself alternates between these two forms and also spins both ends of the Kusarigama while holding the chain via the middle, as most obviously seen in the Immense Tragedy attack.
A minor glitch can occur when Ryu uses Demon Cutter on Genshin; if Demon Cutter connects Ryu will attempt to pull Genshin towards him. Genshin, being immune to throws, will behave normally. If he approaches or attacks Ryu during his pull animation, Ryu will finish the attack, becoming invincible for a couple seconds and dealing a modest amount of damage.

Gallery[]

References[]

Ninja Gaiden II
Characters	Ryu Hayabusa • Sonia • Muramasa • Joe Hayabusa • Ayane • Momiji • Rachel
Bosses	Rasetsu • Giant Buddha Statue • Genshin • Death Megalo Flyer • Godomus • Alexei • The Statue of Liberty • Black Spider Tengu • The Water Dragon • Gogmagog • Volf • Marbus • Fire Armadillo • Zedonius • Fiend Witch • Amazonian Death Worm • King Quator • The Dark Dragon • Elizébet • Dagra Dai • The Archfiend
Enemies	Black Spider Ninja • Black Spider Talons Ninja • Black Spider Phantom Ninja • Tactical Ninja • Werewolf • Van Gelf • Centaur • Gaja • Deep Slaughter • Dragon Gahrula • Executor • Hybrid Ogre Soldier • Spriggan • Marionette • Death Worm Larva • Mist Fish • Vile Skeleton • Garbage Bug • JGM-30 SPIDER CIWS • 4-Barreled Chain Gun SWEEPER • Shadow Fiend
Melee Weapons	Dragon Sword • Vigoorian Flail • Tonfa • Eclipse Scythe • Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Fang • Kusari-gama • Falcon's Talons • Lunar Staff • Enma's Fang • Heavenly Dragon Naginata • Inferno Hammer • Fuma Kodachi
Projectile Weapons	Shuriken • Incendiary Shuriken • Windmill Shuriken • Fiend's Bane Bow • Gatling Spear Gun • Howling Cannon • Heavensong Bow • Type 666 Heavy Machine Gun • Flash Kunai
Ninpo	The Art of the Inferno • The Art of the Wind Blades • The Art of the Piercing Void • The Art of the Flame Phoenix • The Art of the Crimson Lotus • The Magic of Raging Aphrodite • The Art of the Raging Mountain God
Items	Herbal Remedies • Enchanted Charms • Crystal Skull • Key Items
Miscellaneous	Walkthrough • Achievements/Trophies (NGII • NGS2 • NGS2+ • NGII:B)

Ninja Gaiden 3
Characters	Ryu Hayabusa • Mizuki McCloud • Ken Ishigami • Canna Higgins • Ayane • Momiji • Joe Hayabusa • Irene Lew • Robert T. Sturgeon • Muramasa
Bosses	Steel Spider • Regent of the Mask • IDE-1011 Manta Helicopter • Sword Alchemist • Gigantosaurus • Prototype Goddess "Lovelace" • Obaba • Epigonos • LOA Chairman • Cliff Higgins • The Goddess • Doku • Alma • Marbus • Alexei • Volf • Zedonius • Elizébet • Genshin
Enemies	Terrorist • Heavy Soldier • Mobile Soldier • Assassin • Alchemist • Helicopter • Light Shell Bug • War Dog • Ghost Soldier • Homunculus • Megaselion • Ourboros • Black Spider Sword Ninja • Black Spider Talons Ninja • Black Spider Phantom Ninja • Celsus Fiend • Magna Persona Fiend • Van Gelf • Shadow Fiend • Tactical Ninja
Melee Weapons	Dragon Sword • Eclipse Scythe • Dual Katana • Kusari-gama • Falcon's Talons • Lunar Staff • Fuma Kodachi
Projectile Weapons	Shuriken • Bow • Flash Kunai
Ninpo	Inferno • Wind Blades • Piercing Void • Raging Mountain God
Miscellaneous	Walkthrough • Achievements/Trophies (NG3 • NG3:RE)