Many countries have a history with the axe. There are records of these chopping weapons, of different shapes and sizes, used by common folks, fighters and warriors alike. Japan also shares in this history of axes, including during their eras of war and strife. Were they depended on the same levels as spears, swords, and rifles?

The Japanese axe does not have the same level of documentation like the sword and spear, especially those used on the battlefield. Outside of 3rd party accounts of predating battles, and folklore that are often thought to be a gateway to real life, getting a factual picture of axes used by warriors is a bit of a challenge. For this article, I will do my best to cover what I can about the short history of the Japanese axe.

THE INTRODUCTION OF AXES

In recent times, Japanese archeologists found traces of earliest iterations of axes made out of stone. In its primitive form, these are called “sekifu” (石斧) in Japanese. These date back as far as the Kofun period (around 3rd century to the 7th century), way before the Yamato Kingdom was established. After the first groups of clans who would establish Japan as we know it, and develop Japanese culture with the cultural influences from China and Korea, axes made out of iron and steel would replace the stone axes, becoming the prevalent versions all the way to modern times.

There are 3 fundamental naming conventions used for axes, which are the following:

• ono (斧)
• masakari (鉞)
• yoki (斧)¹

What determines which name is used and when? The region tends to dictate this, along with what locals there choose to use. Here’s some descriptions on axe designs.

1. Relatively tapered slab of metal with a flat side, and the other side featuring a slightly curved edge
2. A much thinner slab of metal shaped like a sideways “L”, with the side running parallel with the handle sharpened
3. A wooden handle that curves at the top, and is capped with a small metal piece with a sharpened end

Along with the differences in axe heads, they also have different handle lengths. In this case, there are those that are crafted for one-handed use, while others are long enough to be held with 2 hands. Despite the name used or the design, these iron/steel axes were simple tools used by villagers and artisans for gathering lumber and woodworking, which were essential for development throughout Japan’s evolving society.

COMBAT AND WAR

Sometime during the late 1100s of the Kamakura period, an interest in axes being incorporated as weapons of war took place. These particular versions were crafted larger than conventional ones, with some boosting larger axe heads and longer handles. They were rightfully labeled as “senpu” / “ikusa-ono” (戦斧), “ō-ono” (大斧), and even “ō-masakari” (大鉞) in Japanese, which parallel with English equivalents “war axe” and “battle axe”.

Like the common equivalents, these battle axes bear a large axe head, with a wide, curving edge. Troops carried these onto the battlefield, with the main intentions of using them for the following tasks:

• chop through armor
• break through gates of enemy camps
• knock down wooden barricades or obstacles

Thus, battle axes were seen as essential tools for laying siege on opposing strongholds and structures. They had more weight to them, and warriors with great arm strength could wield them, while fighters with more unorthodox lifestyles such as sōhei (僧兵, warrior monks), yamabushi (山伏, mountain ascetics), and akutō (悪党, rogue warriors)².

These hefty weapons would be used by such figures and be viewed as viable tools for war all the way until the Muromachi period. However, around the earlier years of the Sengoku period, battle axes lost their place, and slowly fell out as key components for strategic purposes.

LIMITATIONS

Why did battle axes fall out of favor? Researching records which document the gear, tools, and weapons used by warriors, martial artists, and military families during Japan’s warring times in documents including Buki Sode Kagami (武器袖鏡), Honcho Gunki Koushu Kozusetsu (本朝軍器考集古圖説), and Buki Zu (武器圖), one will be surprised that there is no mention of these heavy chopping weapons. Are they forgettable as valid tools once used for war?

Let’s review the negative points of battle axes. For starters, they were not truly effective melee weapons when challenging an opposing army head-on. The factors against them include their short reach dictated through the method of wielding them, slow swing speed due to the disproportional weight distribution, and lack of immediate cutting power. This realization most likely came from actual experience from decades of wars, along with the improvement to armor worn, and inclusion of weapons with longer reach, which would bring an unspoken consensus to move away from battle axes. Outside of their traits, another unavoidable factor is the requirements needed to handle their size and weight. As one would guess, these large weapons were unyielding for most save for the large, physically strong warriors.

In the long run, axes could not keep up with the newer methods and tactics incorporated in battles. This isn’t an unusual decision. Actually, this is common practice in warfare, one that happens in all generations, including now. However, this doesn’t mean that axes were no longer used. It’s possible that smaller groups commissioned to participate in battles may contain individuals who still carried an axe. Stereotypically, many artworks and stories written during Edo period depict large men who were formally warriors fallen into a life of crime, bandits, and other types of fictional characters possessing tremendous strength using a large axe. Maybe there are some truths to these depictions?

SURVIVING EXAMPLES

Nowadays, anything related to a Japanese war axe can be seen in comics, games, artworks and the like. However, are there any real figures out of Japanese history known to have wielded such a weapons? There are some sources, but cannot necessarily be considered official, reliable documentations.

The first source we can look at is Taiheiki (太平記), the famous recordings of the conflict between the Taira and the Genji clans in the 14th century. In this is a warrior by the name of Nagayama Tōmi-no-kami (長山遠江守), who was active during Nanbokucho Period. Hailing from Sagami Province (相模国, Sagami no kuni)³, he started his career in the Northern Court army controlled by Ashikaga Takauji. Tōmi-no-kami is described as a large, fierce individual who wielded a large axe to boot. One of his highlights recorded is his participation in the battle of Musashino (武蔵野の合戦, Musashino no gassen).

According to the Taiheiki, as Tōmi-no-kami was surveying the battlefield, he was spotted by Akamatsu Jinori (赤松持則), a warrior from the rivaling Southern Court army. Approaching on horseback, Jinori challenged the large warrior to a one-on-one fight. After a bit of taunting from Jinori, along with a few other verbal exchanges, Tōmi-no-kami agreed to the duel, very pleased to fight another warrior with a reputable rank. In this battle, it is said he whirled his large battle axe with no effort.

The other historical individual associated with an axe is none other than Musashibō Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶), the famed loyal retainer of Miyamoto no Yoshitsune. Is this historically true? Outside of 2nd handed accounts like the Gikeiki and theatrical performances, there are no reliable sources regarding this.

Already surrounded with a questionable existence, Benkei is often portrayed as a strong man who, at the side of his master Yoshitsune, fought to their death against their foes during the battle of Koromogawa (衣川の戦い) in 1189. During this, he fiercely wielded 7 different weapons⁴, one of which was a battle axe.

MODERN TIMES

Are there any surviving techniques, strategies, or systems related to the war axe? From my own research, I’ve come across none. While some older martial systems that are active today may mention the use of a war axe, there’s been no presentation of specific skills dedicated to them. Possible this is due to the simplicity of the war axe’s actual use.

There is, interestingly, one group that specializes in the methods of the axe in present day. This group is known as “Nihon Onojutsu Kyōkai” (日本斧術協会), and their system is called “Shintō Hassō ryu Onojutsu” (神道発想流斧術). This group is about preserving the concept and spirit of the axe, and have different branches throughout Japan. Although “jutsu” is used in this system’s name, they use the label “onodō” (斧道), which aligns with the whole “self-development” direction Japan has gone with regarding their modern martial arts. The Nihon Onojutsu Kyōkai also appear in public events and workshops.

There is very little information about this group, even in present day. The only source I’ve come across is their official (?) site:

Nihon Onojutsu Kyōkai (日本斧術協会)

CONCLUSION

An axe is a versatile tool that can be used for recreation, field work, and survival purposes. They were also modified for battlefield uses at one point, but unlike other popular weapons like the sword and spear, this was short lived. We come to a close on this article about the Japanese axe. Even though it is not so well documented historically, there are still some stories and 3rd party accounts that can give us some idea on how they may have been present especially during their high point. Intending to bring some of these stories to light in future posts.

---

1) Yoki shares the same kanji as ono. The difference is that yoki is an older word.

2) The term “akutō” is a loose label with a wide range based on context, covering the likes such as criminals, thieves, heretics, and trouble makers. Its fundamental roots stem from earlier times of the establishment of Japanese culture, where anyone who was considered a threat to the establishment of the Imperial rule and territorial expansion were considered the “bad guy”. So, even if the opposition was actually “good”, living a peaceful life, or even had no ill intentions to the Imperial court, they could easily be labeled as a bad guy, and be recorded as so with no concrete proof.

3) a large stretch of land consisting of present day Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo City, and Saitama Prefecture.

4) This established the phrase “Benkei no nanatsu dōgu” (弁慶の七つ道具) based on the image of Benkei entering the battlefield carrying 7 different types of weapons.