To cock this type of crossbow, one needed to sit on the ground and exert their full body strength, like rowing a boat. When firing it, one had to brace it against their shoulder because of its significant kickback, to prevent severe shaking. Its lethality came primarily from projectile motion, rising to an extreme height before falling at a slant, pinning the enemy at the impact point to the ground. Only the most robust Samurai could wield it, hence it wasn't produced in large quantities, but was used for long-distance morale strikes and formation disruption.