Kama are traditional Okinawan and Japanese farming tools similar to a sickle used for reaping crops. Before being used in martial arts, the kama was widely used throughout Asia to cut crops, mostly rice. It is commonly used in martial arts from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines where it is found in many forms. The kama has also been used in Chinese martial arts but not often. From one or both of these areas the kama was brought to Okinawa and incorporated into the martial art Te (hand) and later Karate (empty hand). During the annexation of Okinawa by the Satsuma, all traditional weapons were outlawed. This led to the development of the kama and other Kobudo weapons which were also used for farming. It is sometimes known as a ‘Hand Scythe’.