A The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques, Masaaki Hatsumi, Ben Jones, Translated by Ben Jones, Kodansha International, 2004 P.204 is a polearm 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",Tuttle dictionary of the martial arts of Korea, China & Japan, Daniel Kogan, Sun-Jin Kim Editor Sun-Jin Kim, Compiled by Daniel Kogan, Sun-Jin Kim, Contributor Sun-Jin Kim, Tuttle Publishing, 1996, P.37 "a polearm resembling a glaive, with a long, heavy haft and a heavy, curved blade".Ninja: The Invisible Assassins, Japanese Arts Series, Andrew Adams, Black Belt Communications, 1970, P.52 The bisentō is said to have been used by ninja and peasants.
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.
See also Guandao Naginata
References