A is a

polearm A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly melee we ...

used in feudal Japan. The bisentō has various descriptions, "a double-edged long sword with a thick truncated blade",''Handbook to life in medieval and early modern Japan''
William E. Deal, Oxford University Press, 2007, P.162 "a spear-like weapon with a blade at the end that resembles a

scimitar A scimitar ( or ) is a single-edged sword with a convex curved blade of about 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) associated with Middle Eastern, South Asian, or North African cultures. A European term, ''scimitar'' does not refer to one specific swor ...

", "a polearm resembling a

glaive A glaive, sometimes spelled as glave, is a type of pole weapon, with a single edged blade on the end, known for its distinctive design and versatile combat applications. There are many similar polearms such as the war scythe, the Japanese nag ...

, with a long, heavy haft and a heavy, curved blade". The bisentō is said to have been used by

ninja A , or was a spy and infiltrator in pre-modern Japan. The functions of a ninja included siege and infiltration, ambush, reconnaissance, espionage, deception, and later bodyguarding.Kawakami, pp. 21–22 Antecedents may have existed as ear ...

and

peasant A peasant is a pre-industrial agricultural laborer or a farmer with limited land-ownership, especially one living in the Middle Ages under feudalism and paying rent, tax, fees, or services to a landlord. In Europe, three classes of peasan ...

s. Depictions of this weapon can be found in the Chinese military compilations the '' Wǔ jīng zǒng yào'', '' Sāncái tú huì'', the '' Wǔbèi zhì'', and many others, though no artifact representations currently exist of this implement.

References

Polearms of Japan Edged and bladed weapons {{Japan-hist-stub

See also

References