The curriculum for the chain-and-sickle transmitted in Masakiryū consists of stances (five forms), defences (four forms), swinging techniques (twelve forms), and cutting techniques (six forms). There are also forms or kata that combine swinging and cutting techniques, but these are transmitted separately.
No historical specimen of a chain-and-sickle as used in Masakiryū remains, but according to tradition, the body of the sickle is circa 55 cm long and equipped with a hand guard, the blade is circa 12 cm, and the chain 272 cm. During practice, we use a slightly smaller version of the wagon, which consists of a sickle with a hand guard of circa 37 cm, with a 12 cm blade and a chain 180 cm in length.
Kusarigama for practice Click to enlarge
稽古用鎖鎌