A Makibishi (Japanese: 撒き菱 or 撒菱) is an ancient Japanese weapon, equivalent to the Western caltrop. All Japanese caltrops are referred to as Makibishi, and depending on the material used, the weapons were also known under the names Tetsubishi (made of iron) or Tennenbishi (made from Japanese water chestnuts or their dried seed capsules).
During Japan's feudal era, they were used to slow down pursuing enemy troops or to defend fortified positions against foot soldiers. The Makibishi could pierce through the thin soles of the then-common Waraji sandals and inflict injuries on the soldiers, hindering their further advance.
The defending soldiers usually carried small sacks full of Makibishi (often along with weapons like Shuriken and Kagi-Nawa), to hide them on the battlefield before an impending battle or to drop them behind during an orderly retreat. The use of Makibishi as defensive weapons against mounted troops or even as throwing weapons is also known.