|
| Pair Ninja Ashiko Foot Spikes | 
 enlarge | Brand: Grey Eagle
Category: Sports
Buy New: $6.49
New (5) from $6.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 37852
Media: Misc.
MPN: 2803
EAN: 0499901000491
ASIN: B0002GSJQE
Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
- Ninja Steel Foot Spikes
- One Size fits all
- Black Finish
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A little history to add... August 16, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
You have to realize the weather and the part of Japan that these originated in. This tool was used to steady one's self on ice and wet,slippery footing. Ive used them and they work. They were made for the country and outdoors; not modern suburbs and cities. The Japan of yesteryear was not a modern country. So, the cities were still hard dirt in most area's and cobble stone in other parts.
 Ashiko Foot Spikes August 30, 2005
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
Usually used in tandem with "Tiger Claw" hand spikes, Ashiko [or just "foot spikes"] are a complimentary tool for scaling malliable surfaces [such as wood or clay structures]. I specifically do not mention "rock castle walls" as the devises do not dig into hard stone like they would "softer" elements- the ashiko's basic design requires the wearer to place their feet at an awkward 45 degree angle that is incredibly tough to maintain for any real length of climbing time!
These reproductions utalize a "U" shaped metal band that incorporates cord and spikes to hold the instrument to the foot- the difficult part being that the way they are to be tied on to remain in place can be confusing or impossible if the correct footwear isn't utilized.
Case in point- the ashiko has holes on either side of them for the twine or cord to loop through, the cord at that point is crossed behind the heel, laced at least once around the base of the leg and then crossed over the instep and then laced past the large and median toes; from there under the foot/ashiko, crossed back over the foot and tied much like a sneaker.
Notice that you have to cross through your toes? That means Tabi- the split toed boots specialized by the Shinobi [Ninja- though it was common for Samurai to use these as well] were an integrated part of the tool as well! Idoubt someone will want to split a good pair of shoes to make this possible, so one can already see one problem that develops with the use of this particular tool...
Now-a-days, it's possible to get special leggings that are used by telephone and electrical repair crews that are far more sturdy and do not require specialized shoes- that in and of themselves require a "learning curve" to become used to Tabi.
In this instance, ashiko are an incredible learning tool for the aspirant ninja pupil to learn and understand how strong and resiliant the Shinobi warriors of their time had to be! Understand this as well, once tied on, stealth is "right out the door"- one would do better with tap shoes!
If one were to create a better version of this one might consider a "raptor claw" approach that allows an aspirant to hold the tree or post with his/her inner leg strength as opposed to trying to hold their weight off the odd angle required by the ashiko's spike angle!
As a learning tool and a piece of contemporized history, these are a wonderful "artifact", but as a practical tool- sadly, their time has come and gone.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
