a defense against sword attacks and also to reach higher terrain, as it could be used to climb trees or walls, especially when worn with similar devices for the feet called ashiko. Additionally, the tetsubishi (a type of caltrop) was a "small spiked weapon used to slow pursuers or protect doorways". The third was the kyoketsu-shoge, a blade from a double-bladed spear that was tied to a length of rope with an iron ring at the other end for the wielder to hold. In addition to use as a weapon, it could be used to "wedge open a door, climb into a tree or over a wall, or tie up an opponent". Training areas There are 18 training areas that modern Togakure-ryū focuses on. The areas are constantly updated to remain relevant to modern threats that practitioners will need to face. The Togakure ryu Ninjutsu Hidensho is a Japanese manuscript written by Takamatsu, in the possession of Masaaki Hatsumi, that documents modern Togakure-ryū. The document is purported to contain the origin of the "18 Skills of Ninjutsu". Modern Togakure-ryu is taught in the syllabi of the Bujinkan, Genbukan, Jinenkan, Gi Yu Kyo Kai, and To-Shin Do. The training areas include: Seishinteki kyōyō (spiritual refinement) Taijutsu (unarmed combat) Kenjutsu (sword) Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting) Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades) Yarijutsu (spear fighting) Naginatajutsu (polearm fighting) Kusarigama (chain and sickle weapon) Kayakujutsu (fire and explosives) Hensōjutsu (disguise and impersonation) Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods) Bajutsu (horsemanship) Suiren (water training) Boryaku (strategy) Chōhō (espionage) Intonjutsu (escape and concealment) Tenmon (meteorology) Chimon (geography) Criticism of historical claims Modern Togakure-ryu and various historical claims are taught by Masaaki Hatsumi (Takamatsu's successor) and the Bujinkan organization. Criticism regarding the historical accuracy of the Bujinkan's claims of lineage have arisen from several issues of the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten: The 1978 version of the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten states that Takamatsu's Togakure-ryu "genealogy includes embellishments by referring to data and kuden about persons whose existence is based on written materials and traditions in order to appear older than it actually is." The 1969 version of the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten states that Takamatsu's Togakure-ryu "is a genealogy newly put together by Takamatsu Toshitsugu, who made use of (took advantage of) the popularity of written materials on ninjutsu after the Taishō era" and that "there are many points where it has added embellishments, it has made people whose real existence is based