(historically ''wono'', をの) or ''masakari'' is the Japanese word for "

axe An axe (; sometimes spelled ax in American English; American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences, see spelling differences) is an implement that has been used for thousands of years to shape, split, a ...

", and is used to describe various tools of similar structure. As with axes in other cultures, ''ono'' are sometimes employed as weapons. Many existing examples of this particular weapon are associated with the '' sōhei'' (warrior monks) or '' yamabushi'', who also adapt other agricultural tools as weapons, although

samurai The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...

are also pictured as using ono in woodblock prints. ''Ono'' that were specifically designed for military use are of extreme rarity. The weapon version of the ono is described as having "a very large head with a very

convex Convex or convexity may refer to: Science and technology * Convex lens, in optics Mathematics * Convex set, containing the whole line segment that joins points ** Convex polygon, a polygon which encloses a convex set of points ** Convex polytop ...

cutting edge and a large scroll-shaped peen opposite it. It has a sheath covering only the edge of the blade. The entire length is nearly ". Ono 1

References

Axes Japanese martial arts Weapons of Japan Japanese words and phrases Samurai weapons and equipment bg:Оно ja:斧 {{Japan-martialart-stub