barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) (05/31/85)
The manrikigusari (10,000 strength chain) is classically merely weighted at both ends. Your friend is the first person I've heard of to refer to having knives/hooks at one end. (This is according to Draeger, Stone, and various other sources.) I suppose a ninja might use a climbing grappel rope as an improvised weapon, but it certainly never acquired its own name. (Incidentally the manrikigusari was invented by Masaki Toshimitsu Dannoshin and used by the school he founded. It was not in general use, but an esoteric weapon.) --Lee Gold