What was a kanabo?

Answer 1

The kanabō (metallic staff) is an iron or steel staff used in feudal Japan (the Samaurai) as a weapon. It was constructed out of heavy oak wood, and covered with some form of metal from the end to the middle, with metal studs along the metal-shod end. Later versions were made entirely out of metal, but shorter. It was this later version that many popular pictures of Japanese demons carry. It was usually a very heavy weapon. When used, the purpose of the kanabō was to smash enemies' armor and break their warhorses' legs. The art of using this cumbersome weapon, kanabō-jutsu, consisted of a mastery of both balance and strength.