Attacks

I’ve seen sites and such that say Miroku is useless in combat. That he is incapable of helping in the onslaught of demons the group faces on a regular basis. I, of course, disagree I think he is just as useful as any other group member. Here is a list and description of all of the weapons in Miroku’s arsenal.

Kazaana (Wind Tunnel)...

The Kazaana is probably Miroku's most powerful weapon. The Kazaana is a wind hole that has been cut into Miroku's hand causing it to suck up anything that is not nailed down (and many things that are!) Miroku can seal this void using prayer beads which contain the kazaana and allow him to live a relatively normal life until it is needed, when he removes the beads and releases the seal. The kazaana apparently grows slowly over time, and the winds get stronger, this is not necessarily good. Miroku inherited the kazaana from his grandfather who had battled with Naraku, if Naraku is not defeated soon (no actual time is given, of course) Miroku will be swallowed up by his own wind tunnel, and most things around him will likely get devoured by it in the process. Despite being very powerful the kazaana is also very sensitive, it is easily cut by demons and so forth, when cut it grows faster. Miroku can be directly affected by some things he sucks in, such as Naraku's Saimyosho which poison him. Also, the more he uses it the faster it grows so Miroku tries to avoid using his kazaana to keep it from growing. The idea of a cursed hand comes from an actual ancient Japanese myth which Rumiko Takahashi adapted for her own character. Although it seems to be the farthest from his mind a lot of the time Miroku often worries about his wind rip and spends time alone contemplating the damage that it is capable of doing and how there is a good chance it will be the cause of his death. He also, of course, worries about how it will affect his relationship with Sango. However, the kazaana is not only used by Miroku for fighting, it is often used to get women to pity him before he asks them to bear his child. Miroku does tend to be very self-sacrificing with his kazaana, and if others are in danger he uses it much more recklessly. There is no confirmed time as to when the kazaana will swallow Miroku up, however, the time seems to be approaching.

Shakujo (Staff)...

The weapon Miroku normally uses, as it doesn’t have the risk involved that using his kazaana does. Miroku's Shakujo is the staff he carries around with him. It doesn't really have any supernatural powers, though it does have many charms and rings on it. He uses it with a lot of skill especially when unable to use the kazaana (more often than not due to Naraku’s saimyoshou). It is unknown when he learned how to wield the staff, despite his prodigious talent with it. Miroku's staff may not be his most powerful weapon-- but it is the one he uses the most, mainly because he cannot use the kazaana recklessly, for fear of having it grow or become damaged. Miroku's staff may also be sharp, because even though it’s mainly used for beating people to death it does appear able to slice things if he hits them with the side of it. The staff is as effective for defence as it is for offense. He uses it to block attacks with a lot of speed and dexterity, and despite how thin it is it never seems to get damaged. The staff is also used for comic relief, such as to hit Inuyasha with when he acts stupid, they staff seems to have a completely different effect when he hits demons with it. He also uses his staff as a walking stick, which is probably its original purpose. The shakujo is not an uncommon weapon; almost every other monk encountered in the series carries a similar staff, only they all have unique heads to them, Miroku’s is easily the most ornate of them, probably to emphasize his roguish demeanour. None of the staves owned by anyone in the series seems to have much by the way of magical powers. It is very uncommon to see Miroku without his staff in tow.

Ofuda (Paper Charms)...

These are spells written on paper. They have fantastic spiritual powers, and then can be used to kill some demons, and especially effective against evil spirits. They can be used to bind or freeze demons (usually Inuyasha) so they are easier to deal with. Sometimes Miroku places them on his target however often he throws them in a dramatic animation sequence! Miroku doesn't use these often though when he does he seems to have an unlimited amount as dozens of them appear from beneath his robes when he does need them. As stated previously when not being used Miroku keeps the Ofuda in his robes, though it’s never seen exactly where, it is assumed they are somewhere near his sleeves or chest as he is able to grab a couple hundred at the flick of a wrist. These are also used for show when he "exorcises demons" from the richest houses in villages. These charms were commonly used in feudal Japan by Buddhist monks and would have sutras, Buddhist writings, and spells on them in real life. Although their power is often underestimated these charms are invaluable in Miroku’s arsenal. As with his staff, paper charms are not used exclusively by Miroku paper charms are used by other monks in the series, but Miroku’s seem to be the most powerful, or at least, the most effective.