The Kusarigama represents one of Ghost of Yotei's most unique and versatile weapons, combining a sharp sickle with a weighted chain for both close-quarters combat and ranged attacks. This deadly tool excels at breaking enemy shields, controlling crowds, and even performing stealth assassinations from a distance.
Prerequisites for unlocking the Kusarigama
Before setting out to obtain this weapon, you'll need to meet specific story requirements and navigate through challenging terrain.
Complete The Kitsune main quest
The Kusarigama becomes available only after progressing through the main story to unlock the Teshio Ridge region. This occurs during "The Kitsune" questline, which introduces players to the northern territories of Ezo.
Reach Teshio Ridge
Teshio Ridge presents unique challenges with its freezing weather mechanics that gradually reduce your maximum health and impair vision. The cold environment requires careful planning and strategic use of shelter points throughout your journey.
Access Owl Mountain
Located in the northernmost section of Teshio Ridge, Owl Mountain serves as Master Enomoto's training ground. The mountain can be reached by first traveling to the Red Crane Inn, which provides a convenient fast travel point for the journey ahead.
How to reach Owl Mountain
Getting to Owl Mountain requires navigating through hostile terrain while managing the freezing weather conditions.
Step 1
Travel to Teshio Ridge through the main story progression. From the Tokachi Range, head north to the Great Lake and take the Central Ferry across to Nayoro Wilds. Continue north through Nayoro Wilds until you reach Teshio Ridge.
Step 2
Once in Teshio Ridge, locate the Red Crane Inn and activate it as a fast travel point. This strategic location serves as your base for the journey to Owl Mountain while providing shelter from the harsh weather.
Step 3
From Red Crane Inn, head northwest toward the Teshio River. Follow the river path while watching for a small wooden house on your right side, which confirms you're traveling in the correct direction.
Step 4
Continue along the frozen river until you reach Sarobetsu Lake.
Seek shelter at the Nakajima Sake House to recover from the cold.
Step 5
From the Sake House, travel north along the frozen lake through areas with orange-leafed trees.
When the road splits near wooden sculptures, take the left path leading directly to a bridge spanning the frozen waters that connects to Owl Mountain. Cross the bridge at Owl Mountain to automatically trigger a meeting with Master Enomoto.
How to complete The Way of the Kusarigama (and get the Kusarigama)
Master Enomoto's training involves several distinct phases that test both combat skills and understanding of the weapon's capabilities.
Step 1
The encounter begins with Nine Tails shinobi attacking the area. Follow Enomoto's lead and eliminate all enemies in the vicinity using stealth or direct combat approaches.
Step 2
After clearing the initial enemies, a cutscene near a wooden owl statue will mark the official beginning of your training with the chain-and-sickle (The Way of the Kusarigama). Collect the Kusarigama weapon.
Step 3
Follow Master Enomoto to the bamboo grove and use the Kusarigama's light attacks (R1) to cut through the thin bamboo stalks blocking your path.
This exercise teaches the weapon's precision and cutting ability.
Step 4
Locate the bear statues holding ceramic vases and destroy them (the vases) using the Kusarigama's heavy attacks (R2).
This demonstration showcases the weapon's power and triggers the appearance of a rope bridge for crossing to the next training area.
Step 5
Cross the rope bridge and squeeze through the gate to encounter more Nine Tails enemies equipped with shields.
Practice using the Kusarigama's heavy attacks to break shields, then follow up with light attacks to defeat the exposed enemies.
Step 6
Navigate the climbing course that includes wooden beams, ladders, and handholds. Then use rock formations and scaffolding to reach Master Enomoto's dojo at the summit.
Step 7
Follow Master Enomoto to learn the Ferocious Whirlwind technique. Practice breaking training dummies using this powerful spinning attack that hits all nearby enemies in a wide radius. Continue following Master Enomoto, even if you don't break the dummies (because your hands are cold).
Follow the master higher. A cold-pool hot-spring scene follows and prepares for the next technique test.
Step 8
After the hot-spring segment, perform the Ferocious Whirlwind or charged heavy attacks to break targets. Then face Master Enomoto in the final trial where you must break both his shield and sword to prove your mastery of the Kusarigama.
Completing this final sequence properly makes the Kusarigama usable outside the tale.
The following cutscene also marks the end of the The Way of the Kusarigama quest.
Picking up the Kusarigama in the first tale grants the weapon for mission use and introduces its kit moves, but permanent ownership and mastery often require finishing the Kusarigama sensei chain and unlocking its core techniques at Altars of Reflection. For this, you'll need to additionally complete Path of the Kusarigama and Kusarigama’s Shame to finalize the weapon and its trophy unlocks.
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