Kaginawa

Kaginawa (鈎縄 or 鉤縄, lit.

"hook-rope"[1]) is a type of grappling hook used as a tool in feudal Japan by the samurai class, their retainers, foot soldiers and reportedly by ninja.

The hook would be attached to a rope of varying length; this was then used to scale a rather large wall, to secure a boat, or for hanging up armor and other equipment during the night.

[2] Kaginawa were regularly used during various sieges of miscellaneous castles.

The rope was attached to a ring on one end which could be used to hang it from a saddle.

Antique Japanese iron kaginawa climbing hook