The Burasagari Maruta (ぶら下がり丸太) was a First Stage obstacle in the first two SASUKE tournaments. It was a log, 30 cm in diameter and 3.6 meters long, that a competitor must cross like a balance beam. The log spun on an axis. Competitor could either walk/run across the log or use hands and feet to help crossing the log (which was a safer but slower approach). It was retired in favor of the Rolling Maruta, which remained in the First Stage until Nagano Makoto's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17.
It was also in KUNOICHI 3 to KUNOICHI 7, except it was not on a high platform. Its name in KUNOICHI was Kaiten Tsutsu. A similar version returned in KUNOICHI 9, where it is called the Pipe Hold, except competitors cannot stand on the log. A similar obstacle was the second obstacle of the finals of the SASUKE 17 Trials, known there as the Ipponbashi.
It was also used as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 1 (called Rolling Barrel/Barrel Roll, with much bigger log), American Ninja Warrior 4 (Southwest and Northwest region), American Ninja Warrior 6 in Denver, and American Ninja Warrior 7 in Houston, which was very similar to the KUNOICHI's version. However, on American Ninja Warrior 6 and 7 version, competitors could not use their hands (competitors must walk/run across the log, i.e. touching the log with hands meant disqualification). Also on American Ninja Warrior 7, there was a barrier placed in the middle of the log.
Competitors' Success Rate
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found
| SASUKE/ ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 79 | 84 | 94.05% |
| 2 | 48 | 52 | 94% |
| Total | 127 | 136 | 93.38% |
| SASUKE/ ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW 1 | 62 | 62 | 100% |
| ANW 4 | 136 | 142 | 95.77% |
| Total | 198 | 204 | 97.05% |