A cold weapon is a hand weapon that works by using direct muscular strength to produce its impact without involving fire, explosions, compressed gas, or electricity. The cold weapons are separated as melee weapons and ranged weapons. The melee weapons function as an extension of the arm and the ranged weapon, in contrast, strikes targets at a distance longer than direct physical contact. Some of the cold weapons include swords, daggers, polearms, hammers, crossbows, catapults, and bows.
Categories of Cold Weapon
Guisarme.
Most cold weapons fall into one of the five categories: polearms, bladed (edged) weapons, blunt weapons, throwing weapons, and defensive weapons.
Polearms: including spears, pikes, lances, halberds, and military forks. The length of such weapons gives them a range advantage, and their sharp points are made for skewering.
Bladed weapons: daggers, swords, knives, bayonets, machetes, and other edged weapons. These instruments of death are made for stabbing, mutilating, and bleeding out their victims.
Blunt weapons: clubs, war hammers, maces, whips, and batons are all examples of blunt weapons. Blunt force trauma is the intended effect of these weapons.
Throwing weapons: including bows, crossbows, blowguns, and catapults, and they are used for ranged attacks.
Defensive weapons: shields (e.g., bucklers, heaters etc.), pepper spray, and body armor are considered defensive cold weapons.
History of Cold Weapons
Koncerz. (Public Domain)
The cold weapons originally appeared quite a long time ago as a hunting tool. Cold weapons such as blades, knives, shields, and maces were all fashioned in the Stone Age, either as basic tools or by severing a stick at one end and inserting a stone, which was then bound in place using strips of tree bark or a thread made of twisted catgut.
Cold weapons are also called white arms or white weapons. This name comes from the way the weapon looks when light is reflected off of it. The name dates back to antiquity, when it was used to highlight the improvement in stabbing efficiency from stone, copper, bronze, and iron blades to those made of steel, which looked white under the sunlight. (In the legal language, “cold weapon” is still more commonly used.)
Until the 16th century, cold weapons were the main type of weapon. With the development of firearms, they practically lost their significance.
Currently, they are used as auxiliary equipment, supplementing the capabilities of firearms, as an honorary (award) weapon, and as part of traditional attire.
In ancient times, the Roman weapon known as hasta (spear) was a pretty effective cold weapon. Worn by a person known as a hastati, it was approximately 5 feet and 9 inches (1.75 m) in length.
From the 15th century, it was called a pike. This very long weapon was similar to the ancient Greek weapon kontos, a weapon proper to horsemen or the ancient sarissaof the infantry of the Macedonian army.
By the nature of the inflicted damage (punctured, incised, slashed), the cold weapon distinguishes between crushing, thrusting, stabbing, and slashing weapons.
Stabbing
The blade of these cold weapons only results in puncture damage:
Blunt weapons, often known as bludgeoning weapons, do harm by colliding with their target and doing so on the basis of impact theory. Typical examples of these cold weapons include cudgels, maces, clubs, hammers, and sticks. They are offensive weapons with a handle that is quite lengthy and intended to bash, dent, or damage through strikes.
The earliest forms of such cold weapons, which date back to the origins of mankind, are combat sticks and clubs. Stone Age weaponry progressed from clubs and maces to axes. The whips or flails came next, which were a punishment instrument formed of multiple chains with metal balls at their ends and strung from a short handle and used as a weapon of war. It was akin to the flagrum of the ancient Romans.
Bladed Weapons
Blades, on the other hand, are based on the application of the blade itself, which is a piece of metal with a proper form and one or more sharp sections known as “edge.” The blades that are known as slashing weapons are called “edged weapons” and common examples include swords, knives, sabers, and axes.
The bladed cold weapons can also be appropriate for hitting with the tip to pierce the target, which is called “pointed weapons.” They include weapons like bayonets, pikes, and spears or daggers. Some pointed weapons just have the pointed tip needed to pierce or puncture anything and they don’t even have an edge on their blades. The stilettos, foils, “centodieci,” and “Bec de Corbin” are a few examples.
Throwing Weapons
Bows and crossbows are examples of throwing cold weapons. They hurl different forms of projectiles, such as stones, arrows, and bolts, or they themselves are thrown such as javelins, throwing axes, throwing knives. They travel great distances using the physical force of the person in conjunction with the mechanism of the device. However, they are always loaded by the thrower’s muscle force.
Classification of Cold Weapon
Some people refer to cold weapons as those that don’t produce a sound. Others may characterize them as offensive tools that only use the fighter’s strength as a source of power. Or, you might say that they are any metal weapon that is not a firearm.
Based on Size
Short-hand weapons, long-hand weapons, and polearms are three categories of cold weapons based on size:
Short-hand weapons: knives, daggers, stilettos, small daggers, and throwing hatchets are under the category of short-hand weapons, which are concealable and often do not measure more than 12 in (30 cm).
Long-hand weapons: swords, sabers, katanas, war axes, etc., were the typical individual fighting weapons used at close range until the invention of guns.
Polearms: They are poled weapons with handles that are 6.5 feet (2 m) or longer to extend the range of action of the actual weapons themselves.
Based on Function
Additionally, cold weapons can be split into several categories based on the reason they were constructed, such in:
Throwing weapons, such as javelins and certain kinds of hatchets like the tomahawk.
Crushing weapons, common examples of crushing weapons include clubs, hammers, maces, and sticks.
Slashing weapons, swords, knives, sabers, and axes are examples of cutting cold weapons that are often used for cutting.
Pointing weapons, such as daggers, spears, pikes, and bayonets, are designed to strike a target from the tip.
Shooting weapons, like crossbows and bows are examples of ranged cold weapons that shoot battle objects (arrows, bolts, etc.) a long distance.
Defensive weapons, such as armor and shields are examples of defensive cold weapons that deflect attacks from bladed weapons.
Soft weapons, including chigiriki and chain whip, are folding or articulated weapons.
The Cold Weapon at a Glance
What is a cold weapon?
A cold weapon is a type of hand weapon that doesn’t rely on fire, explosions, compressed gas, or electricity to operate. Instead, it works through direct muscular strength to produce its impact. Some examples include swords, daggers, polearms, hammers, crossbows, and bows.
What are the five categories of cold weapons?
Most of them fall into one of the five categories: polearms, bladed (edged) weapons, blunt weapons, throwing weapons, and defensive weapons.
What is the history of cold weapons?
They originated a long time ago as hunting tools. They were used to fashion blades, knives, shields, and maces during the Stone Age. They lost their significance with the development of firearms in the 16th century. Currently, they are used as auxiliary equipment, supplementing the capabilities of firearms, as an honorary (award) weapon, and as part of traditional attire.
What are some examples of cold weapons used for stabbing?
Examples of cold weapons used for stabbing include Koncerz, Spear, Dirk, Kris, Knife, Pike, Lance, Partisan, Rapier, Halberd, Sai, Sarissa, Stylet, Bayonet, Estoc, Spontoon.
The harpe sword (ἅρπη) was a cold weapon or agricultural tool known to be often mentioned in Greek mythology but not positively identified in archaeological finds. Originally shown as a basic sickle or billhook, the harpe evolved into a short, straight-bladed sword from which a second hook-shaped blade sprang out at the point.
By the 4th century BC, this new fashion of sword, often termed the “falchion,” had become a characteristic feature of Perseus or, in Rome, of Saturn (Kronos), and it also appeared in Mithraic initiation ceremonies throughout imperial times. The harpe sword is the weapon that killed Medusa.
It’s also known as the Sword of Perseus.
The Etymology of the Harpe Sword
The meaning of the harpe sword is connected to the Latin verbs “sarpo” and “sarpio” which mean “to prune,” and also the Greek verb “harpazo” (to tear away in haste, to pillage).
Latin authors likewise made use of the Greek term harpe without providing a translation. About Perseus, Germanicus says, “Aeschylus tells that he received from Vulcan an indestructible harpe”.
According to Greek grammar, one can observe the accusative ending in “n” rather than in “m” in the Greek version of the sentence. Like in Italian, the original name for harpe was “arpa.” Calabrese speakers in Italy still use the word “arpa” to refer to a hay sickle.
The Origin of the Harpe Sword
The harpe sword Cronos used to castrate his father. A drawing inspired by classic stonework.
Unfortunately, we lack reliable archaeological evidence to determine the precise origin of the harpe sword. For example, the makhaira, a concave-cut saber common among Greek cavalry forces, is thought to have evolved from the “falchion” style of the harpe sword, which in turn may have originated in the East, specifically in the Egyptian sword-sickle known as the khopesh.
The Harpe Sword in Mythology
The harpe sword is an edged weapon that appears often in Greek mythology. It is stated that the harpe sword was always effective even if the foe was a god or a monster that could never die.
Kronos (Saturn) uses it to make his father Uranus feel weak and helpless through emasculation. Zeus wields it in the Gigantomachia against Typhon. Hermes used it to defeat Argus Panoptes, while Heracles used the harpe sword to defeat the Lernaean Hydra.
According to most accounts, the harpe sword was crafted from an indestructible substance called adamantine,” which literally means “unbreakable” in Greek. This means that anguiform (“shaped like a snake”) monsters are the primary target for this “magical” weapon. Zeus orders one harpe sword made by Hephaestus and gives it to Perseus so he can use it to kill the Gorgon Medusa.
The Stories of the Harpe Sword
Kronos
Kronos with his son and his harpe scythe. Giovanni Francesco Romanelli, 17th century.
Uranus controlled the cosmos with an iron fist, but his harsh treatment of his offspring inspired his wife Gaia to plot an insurrection against him. Angry because Uranus had imprisoned her children in Tartarus, Gaia, the goddess of the Earth, plotted with his titan son Kronos to end Uranus’s reign.
Gaia begged her sons, the titans, to overthrow their father Uranus, who was causing them much misery, and she forged the harpe sword out of adamant, a mythological metal that is very hard.
Kronos, one of Gaia’s sons, was the only one who dared try to overthrow his father. Kronos took the harpe, a curved sword with a keen edge that Gaia had given him, and castrated his father Uranus, removing him from his position as god of the heavens.
Perseus
Perseus confronting Phineus with the head of Medusa. (Wikimedia Commons)
A monster with snakes for hair and a gaze that could turn humans to stone, the Gorgon Medusa was the target of Perseus’ vengeance in Greek mythology. Perseus received the adamantine harpe sword as a gift from Zeus. The sword was crafted by the blacksmith of the gods, Hephaestus.
Hermes’ sandals gave Perseus the ability to fly, while Athena’s mirror shield protected him from the gaze of Medusa.
Perseus, sneaking up on Medusa as she slept, reflected her face in his polished bronze shield. Keeping his eyes directly away from her face, he decapitated her with the harpe sword. As he severed her head, the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor with a golden sword emerged from her body.
Zeus
Feared by gods and humans alike, Typhon was a terrible serpentine monster with wings, snake heads, and the ability to breathe fire in Greek mythology. In the fight between Zeus and Typhon, Zeus finally emerged as the winner.
Zeus tried to kill Typhon with thunderbolts at first, but the monster was too strong for him. The gods, with the exception of Zeus, fled to Egypt when Typhon eventually assaulted the heavens.
Zeus reengaged Typhon in combat, this time wielding the harpe sword. Zeus eventually defeated Typhon by cutting off his numerous heads with his new sword and the assistance of other gods, including Hermes and Pan. After this, no other deity could challenge Zeus for supremacy thanks to the harpe sword.
Hermes
Hermes with harpe sword and Argus Panoptes by Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626-1679).
The gigantic Argus Panoptes could not be approached stealthily because he had a hundred eyes strategically placed all over his body. Hera, the queen of the gods, tasked Argus with protecting the cow Io, a human lady whom Zeus had turned into a cow in order to protect her from Hera’s jealousy.
Hermes, Zeus’ son and messenger deity, was thereafter sent by Zeus to end Argus’ guardianship over Io. Hermes (Mercury), pretending to be a shepherd, approached the huge Argus and started playing his flute to put him to sleep. Hermes then used his words and music to slowly put each of Argus’s hundred eyes to sleep.
When Hermes saw that all of Argus’ eyes were shut, he quickly severed his head with a harpe sword. Hera, distraught by the loss of her devoted servant, stole Argus’ eyes and affixed them to the peacock, which afterward became her beloved animal.
Heracles
One of the many heads of the Lernaean Hydra was immortal, making it a terrifying serpent. Heracles was given the responsibility of killing the Hydra by King Eurystheus as one of his Twelve Labors because the monster was wreaking havoc on the land.
Heracles fought his way into Hydra’s cave and proceeded to lop off the monster’s heads with the harpe sword. On the other hand, whenever he severed one of the heads, two more sprouted in its place. Heracles soon recognized that he could not use traditional methods to fight the Hydra.
Then he devised a strategy, recruiting his nephew Iolaus to assist him. Heracles killed the hydra by severing its heads with his sword, while Iolaus used a flame to cauterize the wounds and stop any new heads from forming. Heracles buried the immortal head in the earth and rolled a huge rock on top of it so it couldn’t come back to the surface.
Harpe Sword at a Glance
What is the harpe sword in Greek mythology?
The harpe sword is a short, straight-bladed weapon from which a second hook-shaped blade springs out at the point. It appears often in Greek mythology and was used by the gods to defeat monsters and other gods. The harpe sword is the weapon that killed Medusa.
What is the origin of the harpe sword?
Unfortunately, there is no reliable archaeological evidence that can determine the precise origin of the harpe sword. The makhaira, a concave-cut saber common among Greek cavalry forces, is thought to have evolved from the “falchion” style of the harpe sword, which in turn may have originated in the East, specifically in the Egyptian sword-sickle known as the khopesh.
What is the meaning of the term “harpe”?
The meaning of the harpe sword is connected to the Latin verbs “sarpo” and “sarpio” which mean “to prune,” and also the Greek verb “harpazo” (to tear away in haste, to pillage). The original name for harpe was “arpa.” Calabrese speakers in Italy still use the word “arpa” to refer to a hay sickle.
References
René Menard (1991). Greco-Roman mythology. 2nd ed.
According to Welsh Arthurian tradition, King Arthur’s dagger was named Carnwennan (also known as Carnwenhau). The Welsh word “carn” means hilt, “gwen” means white, and with a suffix meaning “little,” the name translates to “Little White Hilt.” Arthur mentions Carnwennan in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen as one of the few items he does not want to give Culhwch. The Welsh Triads from the 13th century mention Arthur’s sword Caledfwlch, his spear Rhongomyniad, and his dagger Carnwennan:
“The sacred weapons that God had given him: Rhongomiant his spear, Caledfwlch a sword, and Carnwennan his dagger.”
“The Twenty-Four Knights of Arthur’s Court”, The Welsh Triads.
The Magical Power of Carnwennan
Even though Arthur was only a regular person, he had access to some powerful weapons, and his dagger or knife, Carnwennan, was among them. It has been said that whoever wields this edged weapon can effectively hide in the shadows.
Arthur’s sword was the Caledfwlch-Excalibur. A sword so brilliant it could kill 500 soldiers with a single stroke and blind his enemies. Or his shield, Pridwen, was impervious to harm.
In addition to his other magical items, Arthur had the invisibility granting Carnwennan. The dagger was providing a kind of presence concealment to Arthur or to its wielder. In European folklore, invisibility-granting items are rather prevalent. These are often recognized as caps or invisibility cloaks.
The invisibility attribute of Carnwennan was probably the main reason Arthur named his dagger among the things he could never give up for any reason:
Then said Arthur, “Since thou wilt not remain here, chieftain, thou shalt receive the boon whatsoever thy tongue may name, as far as the wind dries, and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea encircles, and the earth extends; save only my ship; and my mantle; and Caledvwlch, my sword; and Rhongomyant, my lance; and Wynebgwrthucher, my shield; and Carnwenhau [Carnwennan], my dagger; and Gwenhwyvar, my wife. By the truth of Heaven, thou shalt have it cheerfully, name what thou wilt.
The Mabinogion / Kilhwch and Olwen
The Origin of Carnwennan as a Weapon
Battle between King Arthur and Sir Mordred by William Hatherell.
In Culhwch and Olwen, Carnwennan is the weapon Arthur uses to cut in two the witch Orddu (“the Very Black Witch”, who is the daughter of the witch Orwen (“the Very White Witch”). Arthur achieves this by throwing the dagger Carnwennan at the witch from the entrance of her lair.
“And then Arthur rushed to the door of the cave, and at the door he struck at the witch, with Carnwennan his dagger, and clove her in twain, so that she fell in two parts.”
The Mabinogion / Kilhwch and Olwen
Other than this instance, the Welsh Arthurian legends are the only ones that include Carnwennan. The dagger is also not one of the various weapons of Arthur mentioned in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae.
Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur describes Arthur killing a giant with an unnamed dagger, which is probably not Carnwennan or at least the dagger is not described in detail.
What Are the Weapons of King Arthur?
Caledfwlch (Excalibur), Rhongomyniad (“Slaying Spear”), Wynebgwrthucher (“Face of Evening”), and Carnwennan (dagger) are among Arthur’s weapons listed in the Welsh stories the Mabinogion.
Geoffrey of Monmouth writes in Historia Regum Britanniae:
“…and across his shoulders, a circular shield called Pridwen, on which there was painted a likeness of the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, which forced him to be thinking perpetually of her. He girded on his peerless sword, called Caliburn, which was forged in the Isle of Avalon. A spear called Ron graced his right hand: long, broad in the blade and thirsty for slaughter.”
Historia Regum Britanniae, IX.4.
These two accounts agree that Arthur was armed with a variety of cold weapons, including a sword, a shield, a spear, and, in one account, a dagger called Carnwennan. In addition to that, “The Sword in the Stone” and Excalibur/Caliburn are, in some tellings of the stories, two distinct swords, with the former going unnamed.
Carnwennan at a Glance
What is the origin of Carnwennan as a weapon?
According to the Welsh Arthurian legends, King Arthur used the dagger Carnwennan to cut in two the witch Orddu. He achieved this by throwing the dagger at the witch from the entrance of her lair. The Welsh word “carn” means hilt, “gwen” means white, and with a suffix meaning “little,” the name translates to “Little White Hilt.”
What is the magical power of Carnwennan?
Carnwennan was among the powerful weapons that Arthur had access to, and it was known for its invisibility granting attribute. It provided a kind of presence concealment to Arthur or to its wielder. The dagger was so significant to Arthur that he named it among the things he could never give up for any reason.
What are the weapons of King Arthur?
In the Welsh stories, the Mabinogion, Arthur’s weapons include Caledfwlch (Excalibur), Rhongomyniad (“Slaying Spear”), Wynebgwrthucher (“Face of Evening”), and Carnwennan (dagger). Geoffrey of Monmouth also mentions Arthur being armed with a sword, a shield, a spear, and a dagger in his Historia Regum Britanniae.
Is Carnwennan mentioned in other Arthurian legends?
No, Carnwennan is only mentioned in the Welsh Arthurian legends. It is also not one of the various weapons of Arthur mentioned in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae. Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur describes Arthur killing a giant with an unnamed dagger, which is probably not Carnwennan or at least the dagger is not described in detail.
The symbolism of the sword of Archangel Michael is most significant in the Christian faith. Because of his position as a guardian and defender of God’s people, Archangel Michael is often represented in Christian art with his sword. The tradition has it that his sword has heavenly power and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The Bible does not mention the sword of Archangel Michael, but it gives clues about it.
What is the Origin of the Sword of Archangel Michael?
The sword of Archangel Michael in a Serbia monastery.
Michael is first mentioned in the Book of Enoch, a Jewish apocalyptic book written in the 3rd century BC. Along with Raphael, Gabriel, and Phanuel, he is one of the four archangels that serve the Lord of Spirits and he is in charge of them. There is no mention of a sword.
In the Bible, Michael is referenced five times by name. However, the sword of Archangel Michael is also never mentioned. But in some verses, Michael is portrayed as a warrior and prince who fought demons and dragons. This has created the knighthood image of Archangel Michael wielding a sword:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,”
Revelation 12:7-8
Archangel Michael’s archon, depicting his sword.
Michael and the dragon (Satan) engage in combat in this verse, with Michael emerging triumphant and casting Satan to the earth. Although the sword of Archangel Michael is not specifically named in the scripture, it is commonly held that it is a component of Michael’s heavenly weapon and is used by him in his battles against the forces of evil.
Also, in Daniel 10:13, Gabriel says,
“…but the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.”
The Serbian Orthodox Church in Trieste has a mosaic of Archangel Michael with a sword and scale. (Gmihail, CC-BY-3.0)
In biblical art and literature, Archangel Michael’s sword is depicted in numerous different styles. As a representation of his authority and his function as a guardian of the faithful, Archangel Michael is often seen brandishing a flaming sword.
“After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:24
In the verse, it is the Archangel Jophiel (leader of the cherubim) who wields the flaming sword and according to others, it is the Archangel Michael.
Archangel Michael with his flaming sword. A stained-glass work by Franz Mayer & Co. The shield reads Quis ut Deus? or “Who is like God?’. (Image: Workman, CC BY-SA 4.0)
The flaming sword has a reputation for having divine power and the ability to vanquish evil. In some of his artwork, his swords have religious motifs like crosses or stars. This is designed to represent the fact that God created the sword and that God’s power flows through it.
The sword’s blazing appearance symbolizes the divine’s capacity to cleanse and destroy evil, while its shape as a sword symbolizes the guardian angel’s tenacity.
The Specifications of Michael’s Sword
The sword of Archangel Michael’s exact dimensions and materials are unknown since they were never stated in the Bible and other religious books. The significance of the sword as a symbol goes beyond its physical attributes because of its heavenly origin and link to the Archangel Michael.
A long, straight sword with a pointed tip and a hilt or grip that is sometimes ornately decorated is the standard edged sword of Michael shown in biblical art. Its sanctity is emphasized by depictions of it bathed in celestial light.
This is what Archangel Michael’s sword might look like.
The sword of Archangel Michael is supposed to have supernatural abilities in several myths and tales, including the ability to destroy evil and shield its wielder from harm. While many narratives and artworks can include such elements, in most cases they are only fictitious additions.
Ultimately, the actual power of the sword of Archangel Michael rests not in its physical attributes or specifications, but in the symbolism and faith that it inspires in believers.
The Sword of Archangel Michael is a Relatively New Concept
Archangel Michael slaying a dragon, with his shield reads Quis ut Deus (Who [is] like God?). (Michael4 – CC BY-SA 3.0)
Literature has done much to promote the concept of the sword of Archangel Michael, with many stories implying that the sword has magical abilities and can be held by only Archangel Michael.
A Byzantine ivory panel from a Constantinople diptych dating back to 525–550 AD shows an archangel with a staff. This archangel is usually identified as Michael and he does not wield a sword.
The Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo in Italy has the earliest depiction of Archangel Michael in the west which dates back to the 9th century AD. In this bas-relief, Archangel Michael also does not wield a sword but weighs the souls with his scale.
In later Christian art, Archangel Michael is commonly shown as a warrior angel wielding a sword and slaying demons. This theme has only gained popularity throughout the Middle Ages.
Archangel Michael’s Sword in Other Religions
In general, the Torah mentions angels but doesn’t identify any of them by name, including Michael. However, in the Book of Daniel, Archangel Michael appears three times (in chapters 10 and 12). He is also mentioned one time in the Quran (Al-Baqarah, 98). But in none of the verses is Archangel Michael depicted with a sword.
Today, the sword of Archangel Michael stands for power, safety, and the hand of God in times of need. Many people all throughout the globe find hope and solace in this emblem.
The jo staff (杖:じょう, “jō”) is a type of Japanese wooden staff used as a weapon. It was originally designed for use by samurai in medieval Japan. A jo fighter can confidently face an opponent with a katana. In fact, this was the primary reason the jo staff was developed in the first place. Jōdō or jōjutsu is the martial art of the jō, and along with aikido, they make frequent use of this staff. Jo is still in use by some Japanese police departments today.
The jo staff is roughly 4 shaku (4 ft; 120 cm) in length and is central to the practice of this Japanese martial art. Currently, jo is most commonly used in the context of the jodo. However, before the Edo period (1603–1867), the term “jo” referred to a staff that was one “jo” in length, which was roughly 10 shaku (10 ft; 3 m) or 7 shaku 5 sun (28 ft; 8.5 m) in older Japanese units of measurement.
Origin of the Jo Staff
Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi as the creator of the jodo and jo staff. This samurai, from the early 17th century, is widely regarded as the progenitor of the Shinto Muso-ryu school of jojutsu, which belongs to the Koryu.
The name “jodo” was first used by Takaji Shimizu in 1940. The jo was developed as a true samurai weapon, unlike the bo, sai, and tonfa of the kobudō weapons, and its use was taught in formal martial arts schools (ko-ryū).
Legend has it that in the early Edo period, Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi (夢想 權之助 勝吉) created the jo after attacking a skilled samurai named Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645, 宮本 武蔵). Katsuyoshi used a wooden sword but got struck down by Musashi with a newly crafted small Bo which was thrown next to him.
Katsuyoshi was so moved by the experience that he departed to establish his own school (Shintō Musō-ryū) for teaching staff versus sword combat in the early 17th century.
According to this legend, that is why jodo is still practiced with a staff against a wooden sword today. This duel, conducted around 1605–1610, is mentioned in the Nitenki (二天記), written in 1776.
Katsuyoshi then challenged Musashi again. Due to the use of oral customs to pass on knowledge, it is unknown if and how the second challenge actually occurred. According to legend, this was the only time Musashi lost a fight. Other accounts claim that he never tasted loss.
Using the Jo Staff
As a weapon, the Jo staff calls for dexterity, quickness, and accuracy rather than brute force. Jo strikes are typically directed at soft spots, like the temples. While the jo is lengthier than the Bokken (wooden sword), it still takes a high level of ability to battle with the jo against a sword due to the sword being faster. The Jo staff, in contrast to swords and knives, can be carried in virtually any position, greatly expanding the range of potential strikes.
In Aikido
The Jo staff has three primary functions in Aikido:
Jo dori is a style of Japanese martial arts in which the Nage (the practitioner of the skill) does not have any kind of tool and the Uke (the assailant) uses a staff. The Nage faces a variety of threats, including a stabbing to the midsection, a punch to the side of the head, and a punch to the front of the head, all of which he must fight against.
Juji Nage: The Uke grabs the Nage’s staff, and the Nage must either throw or lock the Oke. The Oke has a wide variety of options for grabbing the Nage’s jo, and the latter has just as many ways to protect against being grabbed.
Jogi – The Jogi is a staff-based technique that mimics a battle between a lone combatant wielding a jo and a group of assailants wielding swords. There are no attackers in reality and the kata (‘form’) is done alone. The Jogi checks the accuracy and power of the Aikidoka’s (master practitioner) blows. Jogi 1 is the beginner level, Jogi 2 is intermediate, and Jogi 3 is advanced in Aikido.
In Jodo
Jo staff against wooden katana (bokken) during a jodo training, shinto muso ryu. (Lakkisto Jarkko, CC BY-SA 2.5)
There are two distinct applications for jodo. Jogi comes first which is another series of strikes used against swordsmen. It’s worth noting that there are 12 distinct katas (‘forms’) in jodo, just like there are in Aikido.
Another application of jodo is in law enforcement. Due to the fact that martial arts have always had close ties to law enforcement, students of the art can expect to learn pertinent information such as the various ways in which the jo can be used to control an opponent, hold them in place, or even tie them to their companion.
What Is Jo Staff Made of?
Two jo staffs in different sizes.
Pinewood (nowadays, primarily Taiwanese pine) is often used to make the jo staff. Other sources of material are bamboo, red oak, and white Japanese oak (Shirakashi).
A jo staff can be fashioned from a brush handle for solo training, but an oak staff is favored for partner exercises. Sticks with weak handles break readily when subjected to contact training, are easily splintered by impacts, and can deform when exposed to changes in humidity.
The Jo Staff’s Length
Jo and bokken.
The original length of the Muso Gonnosuke staff was 4 shaku, 2 sun, and 1 bu, or 50.22 inches (127.56 cm). All jo staffs used to be 50 inches (128 cm) in length, regardless of the user’s height or build. Today, they vary.
The length of the jo varies depending on the user. Typically, a jo is 50 to 56 inches (128 to 142 cm) long. This is because a jo must ascend from the floor as high as the underarm of the holder.
The jo’s width ranges from 0.95 to 1.20 inches (24 to 30 mm), which provides the optimal combination of power, longevity, usability, and portability. In order to preserve its precision in combat, the jo must be straight along its entire length. A straight jo staff will roll well on the floor.
Jo Staff vs. Bo Staff
A bokken (37 in), a bo staff (71 in), three jo staffs (51 in), a hanbo (35 in), two tanbos (20 in). (Aldo Villalba – CC BY-SA 3.0)
Compared to the heavier and lengthier bo staff (6 feet), the jo staff (4 feet) is much easier to use and maneuver. With a jo staff, you only need a small amount of room to perform a technique.
Jo techniques are less demanding on physical power and offer greater agility and versatility than bo. Although they share some similarities, the lengths and methods of use of the bo and jo staffs are quite different.
Muso Gonnosuke, the swordsman who lost to Miyamoto Musashi, is said to have invented the jo because he wanted a weapon with a substantial extension edge over the sword that was still more agile than the spear (yari) or bo.
History of the Jo Staff
Jōdō (“the way of the jō“) is a staff technique developed by police officers as a means of both apprehending offenders and protecting themselves from attack. Those without access to swords in the community, such as farmers and urban dwellers, also turned to the jo staff as a means of self-defense.
A jodo practitioner stops the strike of a bokken by intercepting the attacker’s wrists with the tip of his jo staff. (Jklak – CC BY-SA 3.0)
However, some martial arts schools have shunned the word “staff” in favor of “jo” to differentiate their technique from the use of staff as apprehending tools. Similarly, some martial art schools also inherited the jo techniques for keeping a broken pole or naginata staff in use in combat. Their techniques incorporated aspects of the original jo staff’s art.
This allowed them to prepare for the inevitable moment when their bladed naginata breaks during the fight.
There are unique varieties of jo staff in addition to the typical ones, such as the “yundzue” jo (弓杖, a staff made by reshaping a broken bow into a whip-like form) and the “furidashizue” jo (振り出し杖, a staff fashioned from a tree limb that has been chopped off).
Jo Staff Today
The Japanese police force now uses a variant of a jo technique from the Shintō Musō-ryū school of jodo for their police batons. This technique has become famous as the jodo style of the All Japan Kendo Federation.
Moving on, Okinawan Shōrin-ryū Karate includes a distinct type of jo staff technique involving the use of shorter staffs (typically between 2.6 and 3.3 feet or 80 and 100 cm in length) that has its own set of forms and moves.
There are martial arts all over the world that make use of jo because they are a convenient implement that does not look out of place when held by the practitioner. The cane has become popular as a self-defense technique for gents, especially in Western societies where men commonly carry a walking cane.
There are strengthened walking poles intended for self-defense. “Brandistocks” were a type of weapon that was made even deadlier by having tiny barbs affixed to the tip or blades that came out like a hidden dagger.
Canne de combat attack and counterattack. The canne de combat uses a form of jo called the “cane” in French. (Zsolt.sandor-CC BY SA 3.0)
“La canne” (French for “cane”) refers to a technique in savate (French boxing) that includes catching or using the end of a walking staff or jo staff like a sword. French people use jo staff in a competitive form of style named “canne de combat.” They are sometimes referred to as “cane (canne) techniques” or “Western jo techniques” to differentiate them from Japanese jodo.
Martial Art Schools That Use the Jo Staff
Professional jo martial arts schools
Shintō Musō-ryū
Muhi-ryū (using a 5-shaku 5-sun; 5.5-foot staff)
Muhi Muteki-ryū
Daien-ryū
Tai no Jō (a jō staff technique developed by the legendary aikidoist Sunao Hari)
Martial arts schools that also include jo
Imaeda-ryū
Imaeda Shin-ryū
Kenshin-ryū
Shojitsu Kenri Kata Ichi-ryū
Suiō-ryū
Sento Isshin-ryū
Fusen-ryū (originating from the Hokuso-ryū jojutsu)
Bokuden-ryū
Rikata ichi-ryū
Rishin-ryū
Yagyū Shingan-ryū
Ryūgō-ryū (A form of martial art that evolved from naginata jutsu and jojutsu.)
Aiki-jō (Martial arts utilizing the jō in accordance with aikido ideals)
Shintaido jojutsu (a part of Shintaido)
Gōjū-ryū (Both the kata and the kumite of Okinawa goju-ryū karate do are distinct from those of other styles.)
Jo Staff at a Glance
What is the Jo staff and its origin?
The Jo staff is a type of Japanese wooden staff that was originally developed for use by samurai in medieval Japan. It is roughly 4 feet (120 cm) in length and was designed for use against a sword. The name “jodo” was first used by Takaji Shimizu in 1940, and the Jo was developed as a true samurai weapon. Legend has it that Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi created the Jo after attacking Miyamoto Musashi with a wooden sword, which led to the establishment of his own school, Shintō Musō-ryū, in the early 17th century.
What are the primary functions of the Jo in Aikido?
The Jo staff has three primary functions in Aikido: Jo dori, Juji Nage, and Jogi. Jo dori is a style of Japanese martial arts in which the practitioner does not have any kind of tool, and the assailant uses a staff. Juji Nage involves the Uke grabbing the Nage’s staff, and the Nage must either throw or lock the Oke. Jogi is a staff-based technique that mimics a battle between a lone combatant wielding a Jo and a group of assailants wielding swords.
What are the materials used to make a Jo staff?
Pinewood (primarily Taiwanese pine), bamboo, red oak, and white Japanese oak (Shirakashi) are the most common materials used to make the Jo staff. An oak staff is favored for partner exercises as sticks with weak handles break readily when subjected to contact training and are easily splintered by impacts.
What are the two distinct applications for Jodo?
There are two distinct applications for Jodo. The first is Jogi, which is another series of strikes used against swordsmen. There are 12 distinct katas in Jodo, just like in Aikido. The second application of Jodo is in law enforcement. Students of the art can expect to learn pertinent information such as the various ways in which the Jo staff can be used to control an opponent, hold them in place, or even tie them to their companion.
How is the Jo staff used as a weapon?
As a weapon, the Jo staff calls for dexterity, quickness, and accuracy rather than brute force. Jo strikes are typically directed at soft spots, like the temples. While the Jo is lengthier than the Bokken (wooden sword), it still takes a high level of ability to battle with the Jo against a sword due to the sword being faster. The Jo can be carried in virtually any position, greatly expanding the range of potential strikes.
References
Toshiro Suga: Jo, the pillar of Aikido (Jo le pilier de l’Aikido), 2007.
The atlatl is a device used to throw spears. It works by extending the throwing arm. The spear accelerates with this motion and reaches a speed of over 90 mph (150 km/h) which is much higher than spears thrown by hand. Hooks placed at the slinging end made of reindeer antlers for guiding the spear have been discovered in Europe and other parts of the world since the end of the Paleolithic Age (Magdalenian Era; 9,000 to 15,000 BC). The atlatl used by Australian Aborigines was called a Woomera. In Central America, the atlatl was still being used as a weapon of war and for hunting at the time of the discovery of America, under the Aztec name Atlatl.
The way atlatl is used.
Since the beginning of time, our ancestors have made a lot of weapons to help them hunt, catch wild animals for food, and fight with each other for survival resources. It was these primitive weapons that helped humans climb to the top of the food chain. Among all the weapons used by primitive people, the atlatl, or spear thrower, is a very special weapon. It shows how intelligent early humans were, and in some ways, the atlatl is just as important as the bow and arrow.
To this day, wilderness survival experts and primitive tribal hunters still use this weapon. For example, Matt Graham, a famous wilderness survival expert known for his shows for Discovery and National Geographic, is a loyal fan of the atlatl. With an atlatl in hand, he can easily hit a squirrel at a distance of more than 30 feet (10 meters) and a turkey at a distance of dozens of feet. It is a great tool for wilderness survival. So, what kind of weapon is an atlatl?
Definition of Atlatl
The atlatl is an ancient weapon that was used to throw spears. It is also called the spear-throwing weapon or spear launcher. It is the simplest way to make a spear throw farther, hit harder, and hit with more accuracy. It is a simple but very creative tool. The word atlatl (pronounced AT-lat-uhl) comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs.
History of Atlatl
A Mixtec warrior with an atlatl.
The earliest prototype of the atlatl can probably be traced back to the Paleolithic era (about 40,000 years ago). But it was first documented archaeologically in Europe about 18,000 years ago in the Upper Solutrean period. Many scholars believe that the atlatl appeared earlier than the bow and arrow, but this weapon was more difficult to master and required more training. It was on the basis of the atlatl that humans invented the bow. Thus, the position of this weapon in human history is bound to be even more important than the bow.
The atlatl has existed in human history for a very long time, from the Paleolithic era to the present day, and it has been widely spread across the world. It is a widely used, universal weapon, from the aboriginal people of Australia to the Native Americans, to the Melanesians, and so on. We can see the paintings of this weapon in various civilizations regarding hunting and fighting.
A work of rock art about the handling of the atlatl. Anbangbang Rock Shelter, Kakadu Park, Northern Australia. (Image, CC BY-SA 3)
The atlatls from the Upper Paleolithic are almost exclusively documented as hook throwers. This may be due to the durability of this specific construction type made from reindeer antlers. The hook ends made of reindeer antlers are by far the most common, with only one example known to be made of bone and mammoth ivory.
The hook was attached to a wooden shaft using sloping angles, natural adhesives (probably birch tar), binding materials (sinew, bast), and sometimes through holes. To increase the flight stability of the spear, it was probably feathered. The relatively small number of findings suggests that the majority of atlatls were made entirely of wood.
Design of the Atlatl
The design and shape of the atlatl vary, but generally, its main frame is a slightly curved bone, antler, or wooden board (about 1-3.3 feet or 30-100 cm long). The tail end of the board is equipped with a “hook” (used to hold the notch at the end of the spear) or a crossbar, and the front end of the board is designed with a spear shaft bracket and handle. Worldwide comparisons of complete ethnographic findings reveal an average overall length of 26 inches (65 cm) for atlatls. The length of the spears, whose tips were made of flint or reindeer antler, is reconstructed to be between 83 and 91 inches (2.10 and 2.30 m) based on experiments.
How to Use Atlatl
The principle of the atlatl (spear thrower). (Public Domain)How Eskimo (Inuit) use the atlatl. (Public Domain)
When using it, the atlatl must be used in conjunction with a spear, just as an arrow must be used with a bow. The user places the elastic-tipped spear on top of the thrower, with the tail end of the spear against the hook-shaped tip of the thrower. The spear’s shaft is parallel to the thrower and is secured in place on the thrower’s spear holder or with the fingers.
The user then extends their arm back and grips the handle of the thrower, forcefully swinging it forward to launch the spear toward the target. The spear can be launched up to a distance of 50 to 330 feet (15 to 100 m), with skilled users able to hit targets the size of a grapefruit at a distance of 130 feet (40 m).
Atlatl with standing deer, Magdalenian, 13,000 BC, Cave of Mas d’Azil. (Image: Don Hitchcock)
In official contests, distances of up to 460 feet (140 m) were recorded. However, the average hunting distance back in the day was much shorter, at about 100 feet (30 m) or less.
How Does Atlatl Work?
The atlatl acts as an extension of the human arm, effectively lengthening the arm’s lever to increase the initial velocity of the spear. By utilizing the lever effect, the force is better transmitted to the dart or spear, resulting in greater speed and power during flight and allowing for longer, more accurate, and more powerful throws. The atlatl quadruples the kinetic energy of the arm and transfers it to the arrow. This is the reason for the much greater speed of the arrow when using an atlatl.
While the atlatl can also launch ordinary darts or spears, specialized spears designed for use with the atlatl are preferred for maximum efficiency. These specialized spears have feathers on the back end, making them resemble large arrows rather than typical spears. The feathers provide more stable flight trajectories and longer ranges, resulting in greater killing power.
Similar to arrows launched from a bow, spears launched from an atlatl do not fly straight toward the target. Instead, they twist and turn like a snake in flight, which actually improves their stability. Therefore, elastic materials are preferred for spear construction.
The Importance of Atlatl
Compared to using only the arm for throwing, the atlatl significantly extends the range and accuracy of human attacks, making it an essential tool for personal safety during hunting.
Before the invention of bows and arrows and javelins, humans had to hunt large animals up close with long spears, engaging in face-to-face combat with the prey. Those who participated in such hunting were typically members of the tribe who were best suited for reproduction and skilled in hunting. When such members were lost in hunting (which often happened), it could lead to an imbalance in the fragile ecological balance of the group, potentially leading to the extinction of the tribe.
The invention of the atlatl allowed humans to launch deadly attacks from several dozen meters away, increasing the flexibility of hunting without having to get too close to the prey and risk startling it. It also protected hunters’ safety, even when hunting large game or predators such as wild boar, wolves, leopards, lions, mammoths, and bears.
Why Did Europeans Start Using the Bow Instead of the Atlatl?
The rope spear thrower of the Old World.
In Europe, the spear-thrower was replaced by the bow and arrow during the late Neolithic period (10,000–2200 BC). This was because:
The bow and arrow were easier to use.
The accuracy of the bow and arrow was less affected by the elasticity and weight of the projectile. Therefore, even with a significant difference in arrowhead shape, arrows shot from the same bow could still hit the target close to each other. However, for the atlatl, the flint arrowheads needed to be shaped consistently to be effective.
Additionally, the spear thrower or atlatl had limited range. After the Iron Age, Europeans used lightweight javelins with cords to increase throwing power and improve accuracy by adding spin to the javelin.
Atlatl for Hunting
As long as the spears thrown from the atlatl were accurate, they could easily take down these dangerous animals with a single blow. This significantly reduced the danger of hunting and increased the success rate of hunting. Therefore, many scholars argue that the invention of the atlatl marked the beginning of humans’ dominance over all animals.
Since spears are much heavier and larger than arrows, they can cause more damage, easily penetrating the scales and thick hides of animals. The primitive tribes in the Amazon basin used atlatls to hunt bony fish such as arapaima.
The atlatl, or spear thrower, played a role in the extinction of many large animals, and some scholars suggest that the extinction of prehistoric large animals such as mammoths was directly related to this weapon. Scholars have discovered suspected atlatl wounds on mammoth bones and even the weapons themselves carved into mammoth shapes, indicating a strong directional meaning.
The invention of the atlatl allowed primitive humans to safely kill huge mammoths, short-faced bears, and woolly rhinoceroses from relatively safe distances. Some African tribal hunters are still using these weapons to hunt elephants, hippos, lions, and large antelopes, and they can shoot them pretty easily. The fact that humans climbed to the top of the food chain is not without reason.
How to Make an Atlatl Spear Thrower
A ceremonial atlatl from Peru, 1–300 AD. (Image: Lombards Museum)
Moreover, the structure of this weapon is very simple, and primitive humans could easily make an atlatl using readily available flint, animal bones, and deer antlers. Even if there were no antlers or animal bones, a tree branch over 1 foot (30 cm) long with a slight curve and a branch would suffice.
When making an atlatl, one can cut a branch of a tree, leaving 0.8 to 1.2 inches (2 to 3 cm) for a hook to grip the spear. The other branch serves as the main body and handle of this weapon. If a suitable branch is not available, a wooden stick of 10 to 20 inches (or several tens of cm) can also be used.
The branch can be slightly curved, but even a straight stick can be bent to the desired curvature by heating it over a fire. Then, a 0.8–1.2-inch (2–3 cm) pointed tip can be attached to the end to grip the end of the spear.
Making an atlatl from bamboo
Some hunters of certain ethnic groups use bamboo to make atlatls. They break open a bamboo with a diameter larger than their wrist, remove all but the end node, and carve the remaining half into a suitable size. Then, they boil or roast the bamboo to bend it into the desired shape and attach a 0.8 to 1.2-inch (2 to 3 cm) pointed tip to the end for gripping the end of the spear.
Knowing the principle of an atlatl makes it very easy to make one. Some atlatls may have a spear rest and weight design, but they are not necessary. However, they improve the power and comfort of the spear thrower.
Types of Atlatls
Woomera spear thrower
Early human ancestors invented many types of atlatls. Some types can not only project spears, but also be used as water scoops. The “Woomera spear thrower” used by Australian Aboriginals is one such example.
Its shape is elliptical, resembling a paddle. The middle part is very wide and has a groove, which can be used as a water scoop or a food tray. The handle end is also tied with a sharp stone blade for cutting and can be used as a shield in close combat.
Therefore, the Woomera spear thrower is a multiple combinations of a dagger, container, shield, and atlatl, which is a very clever design.
In addition to the Woomera atlatl, many of these weapons in the Americas are designed with weights and finger grooves. These spear throwers are generally called “Aztec atlatls”. The word atlatl (pronounced AT-lat-uhl) comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs.
The main body is slender and lightweight, so the inventor attached a weight stone to the lower end to improve the center of gravity and power of this atlatl.
In addition, the handle of the Aztec spear thrower is designed with two finger grooves (one on each side of the handle). The material of the grooves is sometimes braided leather attached to the handle, and sometimes they are drilled and carved into the handle itself.
Using the Aztec atlatl
When using the atlatl, the index and middle fingers of the user pass through the grooves, which provide better stability for the spear and allow for greater force to be applied. Unlike most spear throwers, where the palm faces the user, the Aztec spear thrower is held with the palm facing forward, allowing for more efficient use of force and a more comfortable wrist position while also increasing the force of the throw.
Of course, some users may prefer to use the thumb and index finger through the grooves while gripping the handle with the remaining three fingers, depending on personal preference.
How the Aztec Weapon Atlatl Terrified the Spanish Musketeers
After Columbus “discovered” the Americas, many Spanish colonizers and conquerors flooded into the continent with their iron and gunpowder weapons, eager to seize gold, silver, and land. They used their advanced weaponry to conquer and subjugate Native Americans, including the Aztecs, who resisted European colonization with their own weapons, including the atlatl.
In some Spanish colonial diaries, there are records of Native Americans using atlatls for hunting and attacking Spanish colonizers, making it one of the few formidable weapons at their disposal. With the atlatl, Native Americans could launch attacks from tens or even hundreds of feet away, and though their spears could not penetrate the armor worn by Spanish conquistadors, who generally did not wear full body armor for mobility reasons, there were many parts of the body left unprotected, such as the thighs, which if struck by a spear could cause extreme pain and even disable the soldier.
Moreover, many Spanish colonizers could not afford to buy full suits of armor, and only wore cotton armor, which could easily be penetrated by obsidian-tipped spears, leaving a gaping hole in the soldier’s body. Thus, the Aztec atlatl left a lasting impression on Spanish conquerors who were armed with steel swords and guns, and even arquebusiers at times feared the weapon.
Atlatl Sport and World Records
The atlatl is still used in modern times by some sports associations for contests. David Ingvall, of Aurora, Colorado, set a new world record for the atlatl in July 1995 by throwing a distance of 848.56 feet (258.64 meters). He propelled an arrow with an atlatl made of carbon fiber, titanium, and a shaft of metal. And the world record for a traditional atlatl that is made of wood, antler, and bone is 581 feet or 177 meters.
Chronology and Distribution of the Atlatl
Studies show that the thin ivory tips from the Pavlovian culture (around 25,000 BC) were only made to be used as the tips of atlatls. This assumption is plausible but not proven. The same applies to the delicate back knives and tips of the Gravettian industry (33,000 BC), which may have been used as shaft reinforcement in these weapon.
The oldest hook end as direct evidence of the atlatl comes from the Grotte de Combe Saunière (Combe-Sauniere Cave) (layer IVb) in France and is attributed to the late Solutrean industry (18,000–16,000 BC). However, the majority of the hook ends of this weapon come from the “Middle Magdalenian” (stage “Magdalenian IV,” around 14,700–13,400 BC). The combination of spear and spear thrower is the oldest complex hunting weapon of humanity—probably several thousand years older than the hunting bow based on current findings.
The focus of the distribution of atlatl findings is in southwestern France, with some finds from northern Spain (El Castillo cave), Switzerland (Kesslerloch), and Germany (Teufelsbrücke in Thuringia). The finds from Switzerland and Germany are particularly noteworthy because they can be assigned to the type of “rudimentary horse head” whose main distribution area is about 620 miles (1000 km) away in southwestern France. And this missing link from the core area to Switzerland and Thuringia in Germany is often used as an argument for atlatls made entirely of wood (because of their lack of durability in nature).
In later times, the weapon was archaeologically and ethnographically documented worldwide in Micronesia, Australia (called Woomera), New Guinea, and among the Eskimos (Inuits). In America, the Aztecs used the spear thrower and called it the atlatl in their language, whose construction differs somewhat from the spear throwers on the other continents, as a weapon of war.
Spear throwers can also be found in the iconography of the Inca, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Moche.
Categorization
Some researchers divide ethnographic atlatls based on their construction characteristics, such as hook throwers, groove throwers, which are made from a single piece and have a grooved depression at one end, and hook-groove throwers, a mixed type with a small hook. There is no archaeological evidence for groove throwers. In New Guinea, spear throwers are found that are hollowed out at the end, while the spear has a barb.
As additional criteria for distinguishing archaeological spear thrower hook ends, researchers use the manner of the base design (unilateral or bilateral sloping; perforations) and decorations (unadorned; engravings or ornaments; figurative decorations). The figurative decorations consist of animal representations and possibly anthropomorphic representations. Some findings have distinct similarities in their design, leading to the highlight of two types of groups in particular.
The faon type atlatl with fawn and birds from Mas-d’Azil. (Image: Tylwyth Eldar, CC-4.0, enhanced)
One is the “faon” (fawn) atlatl spear throwers. It is a long-carved piece of reindeer bone decorated with carved ibex and birds. The functional end is carved into the shape of a recumbent or standing ibex looking backward, with one or two birds on the tail tip and a bird’s tail as a hook.
The other group of atlatls is the “rudimentary horse head” type, in which the functional end is shaped like a horse head facing in the throwing direction, and the forelock serves as a hook – in some cases, horse bodies are engraved on the shafts. However, since fragments of this type are usually broken off in the horse head’s mouth area, nothing can be said about their possible regularity.
History of Atlatl Research
The 15,000-year-old mammoth-shaped spear thrower, or atlatl decoration was discovered in 1866 by Peccadeau de l’Isle in the Montastruc rock shelter, France. (Image: British Museum)
The first finding of an atlatl or spear thrower was excavated by the French paleontologist Edouard Lartet and the English collector Henry Christy in 1863 during their excavations at the “Abri classique” of Laugerie-Basse (Les Eyzies de Tayac). In the publication of the site in 1864, two fragments of a piece were depicted separately, with the fragment with the hook interpreted as part of a harpoon.
In October 1866, the French researcher Peccadeau de l’Isle discovered the hook-shaped end of a spear thrower fashioned in the form of a mammoth during his excavations at the Abri Montastruc rock shelter (Bruniquel). A new hook was inserted into this piece, as the original, in the form of the raised tail of the animal, was likely broken off during use. The excavator regarded this piece as the handle of a dagger.
Around the same time in 1866, the Vicomte de Lastic Saint-Jal examined the nearby Grotte du Roc du Courbet (“Grand Roc Cave”) (Penne), which is also located in the Aveyron Valley. He recovered numerous finds, including three atlatl hooks that were also not recognized as such.
Sculpted atlatl from the Mas d’Azil Cave showing an ibex (at the top part).
In the 1870s and 1880s, Edouard Piette examined various sites in the Pyrenean foothills, including the Grotte de Gourdan in 1871, the Grotte d’Espalungue (Arudy) in 1873, and the Mas d’Azil Cave in 1887. All three sites contained hook ends that were not recognized as such at the time of excavation.
Arthur de Maret excavated Le Placard in 1879, where he found hook ends that also went unrecognized.
After comparisons with spear throwers from Australia, Central, and South America, and those of the Eskimos, the French prehistorian Adrien de Mortillet expressed the assumption in an article from 1891 that the excavated hook-shaped objects could have been used for the same purpose. He referred primarily to the piece excavated by Lartet and Christy from Laugerie-Basse. Mortillet was thus the first to publish the correct interpretation of the atlatl finding, but as it later turned out, he was not the first to recognize it.
In 1903, Émile Cartailhac published several hook ends from the stations of Bruniquel. He also correctly interpreted the function of the pieces and made ethnographic comparisons, as Mortillet did in 1891. The special feature of this publication was the reference to a letter he found in the university library of Toulouse, written by a member of the “Geological Survey of Ireland” on September 27, 1864, and addressed to Edouard Lartet. The unidentified author, who also used ethnographic comparisons with Australian spear throwers to argue his case, had correctly interpreted the function of the first hook end found by Lartet and Christy in the same year.
In 1907, Henri Breuil, in an article co-written with Emile Cartailhac about the small Paleolithic art objects of the Vibraye collection, listed all 34 atlatl hook ends that were known at the time.
An atlatl’s butt-end decoration called “creeping hyena”, made of reindeer antlers, from the Madeleine rock shelter in Tursac, France. It is 4.2 inches or 10.7 cm tall. (Image: Klaus D. Peter, CC-3.0)
In the first half of the 20th century, further examples of atlatl hooks were discovered during excavations at other sites or through continued work at previously known locations. These included the Saint-Michel Cave (F. Mascaraux 1910), La Madeleine (Abri) (L. Capitan and D. Peyrony 1928), and the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya (R. de Saint-Périer 1936; E. Passemard 1944). These publications provide comprehensive descriptions of the archaeological sites, but the atlatl hooks are not given special consideration and are treated as one among many types of artifacts.
Other newly discovered atlatl hooks were described in separate articles, such as those found at Grotte d’Enlène (H. Bégouën 1912; R. Bégouën 1986), Grotte du Mas d’Azil (M. and S.-J. Péquart 1942), Kesslerloch (W. U. Guyan 1944), Grotte de Bedeilhac (R. Robert 1951, 1953a, 1953b), Canecaude I (D. Sacchi 1975), and Combe Sauniére 1 (P. Cattelain 1989). However, these articles provide fewer comparisons with other finds and focus primarily on describing the individual artifacts, often highlighting aspects of their artistic design.
In 1955, the English archaeologist Dorothy Garrod wrote a longer article about the 66 known Upper Paleolithic atlatl hooks. It was published in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society. She talked briefly about the history, timeline, and location of the finds, but her main goal was to put them into groups.
She thought that the design of the hook end was the most important way to tell them apart. She called “unweighted throwers” those with simple, lightly decorated shafts and “weighted throwers” those with bigger, animal-shaped hooks. She only briefly talked about questions of function and technology, like shafting, but she made it clear that there needed to be a study that included experiments with reconstructed pieces.
An unpublished seminar paper from 1977 by Jörg Sedlmeier updated Garrod’s compilation to include 79 examples of Upper Paleolithic atlatl hooks. However, it also provided a little discussion of the functional and technological aspects of this famous invention.
A tekkan (“iron pipe”, 鉄管) is a truncheon-type blunt iron weapon, instrument, or self-defense tool fashioned into the form of a sword without a blade. This is why the weapon is also known as tetsu-ken or tettō (鉄刀) which literally means “iron sword” in Japanese. The tekkan was designed to bring down an opponent without needlessly killing or wounding them. This was achieved by using swordsmanship techniques while withstanding all the blows from the opponent’s blade with the sheer durability of tekkan. Thus, tekkan was also an arresting tool used by Japanese officers.
Tekkan Was a Sword-Shaped Club Designed to Crush Armor
The iron blade of the tekkan is slightly curved, like a Turkish kilij (lit. “sword”). This is because curved swords are better for cutting strikes, as we have learned from the Turko-Mongol sabers as old as the 7th century.
Although the tekkan is fashioned like a blade, it is more like a thick and heavy iron rod intended mainly not to break. It was an iron club shaped like a Japanese sword. The weight is there to make the weapon durable. Even tekkans that are only a wakizashi’s length (17.7 in; 45 cm) can weigh as much as a typical sword at 2.2 lbs (1 kg).
Most tekkans were between one and two “shaku” (12–24 in; 30–60 cm). The strength of tekkan was superior to a sword, and it was considered an anti-armor weapon similar to the kanabō. It could still cause injuries and fractures even if it was hit inadequately.
The weapon is sometimes confused with a kabutowari (“helmet splitter”) when it is at least 24 inches (60 cm) in length. This is especially the case when referring to pieces in museums and private collections. Also known as hachiwari, a kabutowari looks like a tekkan with a hook. Another Japanese iron sword that is confused with tekkan and kabutowari is the habikito.
But why did the Japanese need an iron sword without a blade?
Purpose of Tekkan
The tekkan didn’t strive for lethal precision and slashing like the katana, but rather for complete neutralization by striking the opponent. It was originally designed to be used against opponents who were putting on armor. That is why the iron weapon was made heavy to be used against the armor’s most vulnerable spots, usually the gaps between the joints.
During the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868) of the Edo period, bladed weapons were made illegal in Japan in the 17th century. A variety of non-sword weapons, as well as blades of varying disguises, saw a rise in favor as a result of this ban. During the Edo Samurai period, wealthy merchants and farmers used this single-handed iron blade along with the samurai.
In the 19th century, swords were once again banned from public use with the Haitō Edict. This time, the ban also included the samurai class. The aim was to do away with the samurai’s long-held rights.
Having no sharpness, tekkans were considered legal to own. Similar to the jitte, the tekkan was not equipped with a blade but was still formidable and adaptable enough to be used as both a defensive and offensive weapon. Although tekkan was designed mainly for self-defense. When the Sword Abolishment Edict came into effect in 1876, all samurai began carrying tekkan as a dependable backup weapon.
Origin of Tekkan
There are many theories regarding the origin of tekkan. Just like many iron weapons without a blade, the tekkan most likely received its name in the Muromachi period (1336–1573). However, it is likely that the design of the weapon originated centuries before that.
Japan never had sufficient iron deposits. And they got most of their iron through iron sand (satetsu). The lack of iron deposits meant that the blacksmiths had to work much longer to refine the quality of their steel to produce reliable steel weapons (steel is made from iron and carbon).
In most cases, they achieved this by ensuring their steel contained a constant percentage of iron and carbon. However, this required too much time, and whenever a war broke out, the blacksmiths had to mass produce various iron weapons along with steel ones to compensate for the lack of weaponry.
This was the case with the civil wars between the samurai and ashigaru during Japan’s Age of Warring States from 1543 to 1575 in the Sengoku period. Blacksmiths often came up with creative iron weapons such as tekkan to supply their samurai and ashigaru. It was at this time that the blacksmiths had to rely on the iron ore purchased from Europeans to continue producing steel swords.
Baton-like hitting weapons are common in Japan, and the “kanabō” (金棒) is one of them. This spiked or studded blunt weapon of the 14th century is literally known as the “metal club” in Japanese. It was created for the purpose of destroying armor that cannot be penetrated by swords and spears. It was mainly used by the samurai of feudal Japan. Japanese oak, chestnut, and yew were used to create the first kanabo weapons in the mid-1300s.
These two-handed clubs were between 4.6 and 6.6 feet (1.4 and 2 m) tall, with octagonal poles. According to various sources, the weight of a kanabo weapon ranged from 4.5 to 11 pounds (2 to 5 kg). However, some sources state as much as 15 to 20 lb (7-9 kg), which were either ceremonial or confused with tetsubo, a similar weapon sheathed with iron.
They were strengthened with square or diamond-shaped rivets and hoops called “hoshi.” This design is thought to have first emerged during the Nanboku-chō period between 1336 and 1392.
Sometime later, kanabo weapons had sheet metal or iron plates wrapped around them for reinforcement, creating what were known as “hirukanamono” and “nagafukurin,” respectively. Over time, the kanabos were made completely from iron, with an evolution from cast iron to wrought iron.
Kanabō’s History
Kanabo during the Genpei War 1180–1185.
The oldest document relating to the kanabo is from the 13th century. But considering its simplicity, the weapon was probably in use as early as the 8th century, during the Heian period.
The kanabo weapon was widely used by samurai lords and other officials in medieval Japan, and as such the weapon came to be seen as a sign of power and prestige. Bandits and martial monks (sōhei), both renowned for their brutality and prowess in battle, also employed this weapon.
The Japanese military had been using heavy weapons in combat continuously. The reason for this was that the majority of conflicts were conducted from atop a horse, where the extra weight of armor was negligible. Therefore, even with stabbing weapons, let alone blades, it was exceedingly difficult to pierce armor.
A samurai with a kanabo and Nanhoku-cho period armor, 1893. (Public Domain)
Since armor moves with the body, there were gaps at the joints, making the adversary vulnerable to harm. This led to tactics such as aiming for the neck by hitting the headpiece or cutting the joints of the armor.
But it was still too challenging to cut through armor, probably much harder than breaking through it with a well-placed blow. There were still instances in which a yari (Japanese spear) was able to break through armor.
The first lighter armors were developed during the Nanboku-chō era. However, breaking through the light armor remained challenging.
This led to the creation of weapons like the “kanabo” which were designed to strike. The weapon worked well because the arms and legs were usually vulnerable in Japanese armor.
Design of the Kanabo Weapon
The kanabo weapon was a hefty striking tool designed to cause serious damage to the target, particularly the head and chest. After being knocked off balance by the kanabo’s blow, an attacker had a better chance of killing their foe by crushing their neck or smashing their body with this weapon.
You can think of the kanabo as a giant club or mace. This blunt weapon weighed as much as 20 pounds (9 kg) due to the robust timber or metal from which it was crafted.
The weapon has a long handle for a two-handed grasp and a broad, rounder head covered in iron spikes. The tetsubo is a similar weapon to the kanabo that is made of iron.
Kanabo rods of a hexagonal or octagonal shape coated in iron plates or strengthened with iron bars were typically between 83 and 141 inches (212 and 360 cm) in length.
And kanabos of solid iron were typically around 59 inches (150 cm) in length. A species of this length weighed 4 pounds (1.8 kg). Most species were between 4.5 and 11 pounds (2 and 5 kg). Due to these numbers, the weapon could only be wielded by people with high physical strength.
Was Kanabo a Popular Weapon?
Yoshiyoshi Miura wielding a kanabo. He was the last head of the Miura clan in Sagami. Despite the average height of 5 ft (154 cm) at the time, Yoshiyoshi was 7 ft 5.4 in (227 cm) tall.
The kanabo weapon was apparently used in conflict, as evidenced by historical documents like a Japanese folding screen picture (byōbu) showing the famous 16th-century warrior Mogami Yoshiaki wielding the weapon. As a result of its sturdiness and weight, it was also fashioned into improvised assault weapons to smash through the entrances of various fortifications.
Along with the masakari (“war axe”) and great swords like ōdachi, and ōnaginata, the kanabo was another weapon that called for strong arms to handle effectively. A total of only eight instances of this weapon are recorded in the Taiheiki, a Japanese historical epic, despite its widespread usage during the Nanboku-chō period.
Within 20 years of the end of the Nanboku-chō period, the ōdachi’s reputation had already begun to wane, and by the Muromachi period (1336–1573), it was virtually extinct. Within the same timeframe, the Great Ōnaginata’s reputation had also diminished, with the smaller ōnaginata becoming more common during the Muromachi period.
In comparison to the eight instances of kanabo in the Taiheiki, ōdachi, and ōnaginata were mentioned 35 and 40 times, respectively. And these mentions were exclusive to the versions that exceeded “three shaku” (36 inches or 91 cm).
Kanabo Weapon in Folklore and Mythology
This heavy club was not just a lethal fighting instrument, but also a sign of strength and authority. For that reason, those in command would use it as a means of intimidation. The kanabo weapon plays a pivotal role in Japanese legend and tradition.
Oni– A monster or beast with horns, pointy fangs, and unruly hair, Oni are common in traditional Japanese art. Among their arsenal of tools is a big kanabo, which they use as a primary weapon.
Benkei – Benkei was a monk and fighter who served in the late 12th century under the renowned Japanese samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He was rumored to be super muscular and a martial arts expert. He was also trained to use the heavy kanabo.
Shuten-doji – The fabled oni Shuten-doji was said to have abducted and devoured young women from the forests near Kyoto. He was typically shown with a massive kanabo in his hands.
Kanabo Weapon and Oni (Demon)
The demon ruler Oni, who was notorious for his fury and cruelty in combat, was rumored to favor the kanabo as his weapon of choice. The reason for that is that Onis are considered extremely strong.
The Japanese saying “Oni ni Kanabō” (鬼に金棒) depicts the iconic picture of a monster, or “oni,” wielding a kanabo, a sharpened metal weapon. The proverb literally means “giving a metal rod to a demon.”
According to the ancient military record Karasu-tengu-gassen, the “Kanatsubo” was a sort of metal club used in combat in the late 15th century, and it was from this club that the kanabo supposedly evolved. “The Oni should have a Kanatsubo,” reads the chronicle.
In 1645, with the publication of “Keifukusa,” the proverb “Oni ni Kanabō” made its first appearance. The Japanese also have a saying that reads “Oni ni Tetsujo” which means “An iron rod to a demon.“
The weapon’s spikes are believed to have evolved from rivets or fasteners used to connect iron plates to a hexagonal rod. The weapon was typically fashioned from a single piece of iron.
Similarly, the “Odawara Hojo-ki” records an account of a run-in with an Oni and includes a tale about an Oni and a Kanabo. A man who might have been a monk or a mountain ascetic was supposedly there in 1582, and he was standing near Nihonkindo.
Muscular and dark-skinned, he towered at around 6’6.8″ (2 meters) in height and slung what looked to be a Kanasai-bo over his shoulder. He requested the others to tell a woman who was expected to arrive later that he was harmless and was waiting for her.
Screams from the woman were later heard, and upon investigation, they uncovered a funeral ceremony. From their investigation, they deduced that the woman was a ghost, and the odd creature was an Oni from hell that was supposed to be located close to Nihonkindo.
Origin of the Kanabo Weapon
The kanabo is defined as a “metal rod” in the 6th Edition of the Kōjien dictionary. In the same entry, the weapon is also called the “Saibō” (also known as the “zaibō”).
In the dictionary, “Oni ni kin saibō” is given as a sentence and it means “a demon who is wielding a kanabo” which is from the 15th-century tale “Raven and Heron Battle Story” (Arokassenmonogatari).
The saibō was first mentioned in the 13th-century text “Kokon Chomonjū,” which describes its use by monks but not as a weapon. The “Minesōki,” an account of a crime group in Harima at the turn of the 14th century, mentions the use of a “sai-bō” several times.
Funny enough, in Japanese folklore, the saibō was seen as a stick representing the male genitalia, and it was thus referred to as “saiben-bō” or “zaifuri-bō.” Over time, the saibō progressively evolved into a form of martial art weapon.
The Japanese historian Yoshihiko Amino proposes that the first bow and arrow emerged in eastern Japan in the Jōmon period (14,000–3,000 BC). And weapons like the kanabo were invented to aim at the knees of the horses ridden by the archers. This is similar to the emergence of weapons like the inji (a slinging weapon) and ōnaginata during the medieval period.
He also implies that the kanabo was a western-style strategy weapon characterizing the battles of the Nanboku-chō period (a.k.a. the Northern and Southern Courts period).
The conflict between the Western forces, who used slinging stones and kanabo, and the Eastern forces, who used horses in combat, is what defines the time period. By utilizing slinging weapons and this heavy club, the Western forces caused trouble for the Eastern forces.
Chinese Influence on the Kanabo Weapon
During the Nanboku-chō period (1336–1392), unusual weapons like masakaris, hatchets, and kanabos began to appear alongside large swords like the ōdachi, ōnaginata, and yari.
But even in the Sengoku period (1467–1615), which succeeded the Muromachi period, they were never put to good use. So, how come these weapons were so popular from the Nanboku-chō era to the early Muromachi era?
The weapons used in China during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and the Sui and Tang regimes in China, which had a significant impact on Japan during the Heian period (794–1185), may have served as inspiration for these novel fighting weapons, such as kanabo and yaris (“spears”).
Long spears and straight swords were standard horse equipment during the age of horse riders. Also, during the Song dynasty (960–1279), which overlapped with the Kamakura period and was ruled by foreign ethnic groups like the Jin and Yuan, there were a lot of fortress battles. This was the beginning of the age of infantry-based combat.
The yari or spear was the primary tool of war in this region. Different lengths were created for different purposes, including shorter spears for assault strikes (about six shaku, or 6 ft; 1.85 m) and longer spears for fortress defense (25 shaku, or 25 ft; 7.7 m).
Axes, hatchets, bonedas (a long-handled mace), and clubs were also widely used alongside the strategies of the period due to the impact of non-native ethnic groups.
At the end of the Heian period, Taira no Kiyomori led the trade between Japan and the Southern Song kingdom (Song). This trade continued into the Kamakura period.
In addition to the normal trade route with the Southern Song, military groups in western Japan called “pirates” with bases in the Kinki area and on islets negotiated with different towns south of the Yangtze River to get supplies of Song coins, pottery, fabrics, and other goods.
When raiding the Chinese coast, these groups of pirates, called “Wokou,” fought troops from the Song, Yuan, and Korean Goryeo with spears and a wide variety of other weapons.
As a consequence, Kyushu, a place that had strong connections to China, gave rise to the “Kikuchi yari,” or spear of Kikuchi. It also wouldn’t be shocking to find Chinese influence in the widespread use of the axe, kanabō, and kanazuchi (“hammer”) in the Taiheiki.
Weapons Similar to Kanabo
The Sun Wukong’s nyoibo or Ruyi Jingu Bang. (Image: Smite®)
Nyoibo – Also known as “Ruyi Jingu Bang,” it is a longer version of kanabo often made of hardwood and sometimes having studs. It is the weapon of the immortal monkey Sun Wukong, and Goku in Dragon Ball.
Konsaibo – When compared to the kanabo, the konsaibo is very different. The iron studs gave the wood a tough and durable finish. But it still remained too bulky for use in a real conflict.
Tetsubō – Both the tetsubo and the kanabo are metal, but the tetsubo is made of iron and is longer. Since most metal staffs were originally forged from iron, they are functionally identical.
Ararebo – Ararebo was the one-handed, shorter version of the kanabo that was easier to use in combat. But it never became as popular as the other one due to being less powerful than its bigger brother.
Kanemuchi or aribo.
Kanemuchi (or kanamuchi) – This weapon did not have any spikes or studs. It was a long, tapering version of the kanabo and a common weapon in medieval Japan. It has been documented that some Kanemuchi reached a length of 39 inches (99 cm).
Aribo (a.k.a. gojo or kirikobo) – One of the preferred weapons in feudal Japan was the aribo. Similar to kanemuchi, it was a long, curved, octagon-shaped, forged iron cane.
Kanabo Weapon in Popular Culture
Banna wielding a kanabō in Naruto.
The weapon appears in many different video games. Among the ones that feature this weapon are For Honor, Nioh 2, Blade and Sorcery, Roblox, and State of Decay 2.
The weapon is also featured in various anime series. In the Dragon Ball series, the Oni of the Enma Realm, and Janenba favor the use of kanabo. In the Naruto series, the weapon is used by Banna, Tenten, and Gatai. The weapon is also featured in Samurai Jack (2001–2017).
Kanabo Weapon Today
Martial artists and collectors alike continue to hold the kanabo in high regard. The weapon has played a significant role in Japanese history and society, from its connection with Japanese mythology to its use by the warrior elite. This two-handed blunt weapon is an intriguing tool, whether you’re a fan of martial arts or just curious about Japan’s past.
Kanabo at a Glance
Is the kanabo still used in combat today?
The kanabō is not deployed in battle anymore. Its primary function is as an ornament or showcase item for martial artists and fans.
What materials are used to make a kanabo?
The head of this club is usually tipped with iron barbs, and it is constructed of hardwood or metal.
How heavy is a kanabo?
Depending on its structure, a kanabō can weigh as much as 11 pounds (5 kg). The lightest ones were around 4.5 pounds (2 kg).
Who used the kanabo in feudal Japan?
Samurai, military monks, and even criminals all used this heavy weapon in medieval Japan.
What is the significance of the kanabo in Japanese culture?
In Japanese society, this weapon represents control and power, and it is also linked with traits like tenacity and courage.
Jitte (十手), or Jutte, is a Japanese weapon and arresting tool for Samurai police. Japanese security officers of the Edo era (1603–1867) used this specialty weapon. Before the 19th century, the Japanese police introduced “iron rulers,” or jitte, to replace the extremely sharp katana. Woods like oak and chestnut are combined with metals like wrought iron, brass, or forged silver to create the jitte. The shaft, which is 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) in length, ends in a hook.
You can use jitte to defend yourself from enemy blades, or you can use it to launch a powerful strike or thrust at your opponent. Occasionally, jitte is used in tandem with jujitsu methods to catch offenders by immobilizing and throwing them. The modern version of the weapon is 18 inches (45 cm) long. A jitte expert can easily jam the enemy’s sword and then attack the enemy’s wrist, throat, and other weak spots, or entangle the enemy’s weapon to disarm it.
Jitte vs. sword.
Meaning of Jitte
“Jitte” (十手) literally translates to “ten hands” in Japanese because the weapon is believed to be as effective as using ten hands. The weapon resembles a short rod with a hook.
Some martial arts organizations use the terms jutte, minorute (實手), or jitei for this weapon. The jitte is such an effective and popular weapon that the term “juttejutsu” (十手術) is reserved for the specific branch of martial arts that makes use of the jitte.
Even though the Japanese made a lot of changes to the jitte, it was never given to the army because it didn’t have a sharp blade or the weight of a blunt weapon.
This meant that it couldn’t do much damage to armor. Thus, it was unable to participate in the battle. But the local police liked to use the weapon a lot.
Origin of Jitte
Various jittes.
The Chinese and Japanese schools of martial arts both claim to have contributed to the creation of the jitte. According to the Chinese, the jitte was created from the ancient Sai (釵) weapon or was introduced by the Edo-period martial artist Chin Genpin.
In another version, the jitte was invented by the Japanese blacksmith Masamune or by his father. Both theories have been debunked.
Jitte is thought to have evolved from the striking weapon known as habiki (刄引). This is based on similarities in their use to control people, their handles, the use of lacquer, and the lack of a “tsuba” (the guard that protects the hands).
The weapon “kabutowari” (“helmet breaker”) was created by adapting the habiki by ditching the guard and adding a hook instead. Finally, the jitte was created when the hook’s size was increased and the curvature of the kabutowari was removed.
History of Jitte
The cover of the book Jitte torinawa jiten: Edo machibugyōsho no sōbi to taihojutsu, Goodreads.
During the Tokugawa shogunate’s ban on military weapons in the 17th century, bladed weaponry was banned for all citizens of Japan except samurai. A variety of non-sword weapons, as well as blades of varying disguises, saw a rise in favor as a result of this ban.
Jittes were not outfitted with blades but were strong and versatile enough to be used by ronin and citizens alike as a means of self-defense. Around this time, new “Shibukawa-ryu” and “Ikkaku-ryu” schools appeared.
They were two examples of specialized martial arts techniques that focus on the jitte method. Since it was commonly used by local police to deal with offenders, the jitte was also the ancestor of the Japanese police baton.
Since carrying a blade into the shogun’s castle was a capital offense for everyone except samurai, the royal guards were only allowed to carry a wide variety of non-bladed weapons.
Due to its effectiveness, jitte became the most popular weapon of choice at this time. As a powerful tool, they could be used both for offense and defense.
There are different types of jittes. (From the book Japanese Jutte of Edo period Vol. 2)
In juttejutsu or jittejutsu, the hook can be used to catch an opponent’s weapon. And with grappling methods such as hanbō (“half-staff”), jitte can be used to subdue an opponent by entangling their arms and legs.
The weapon was given to the Yoriki (police sergeant) and Doshin (patrol officer) of the Edo magistrate’s office during the Edo period (1603–1867) as a tool for the capture of criminals.
In the same era, jitte was also used illegally by the “samurai servants.” They were low-ranking assistants of samurai families, and they were never given the weapon in a legal way. As a result, they were often hired by others for dirty jobs because the jitte was an officer’s weapon. It was a badge or official identification tool for its carrier.
Today’s thick cord-wrapped handle with a tassel at the end that is sometimes seen on jitte in historical dramas is a holdover from the jitte’s use as a decoration in Kabuki performances during the Edo period. Because at the time, it was forbidden to imitate the actual weapon.
Jitte Was a Valuable Weapon
Typically, a person would keep their jitte in a tiny pouch called a “jittebukuro,” and they would then store it in their pocket. This was done for two purposes: one, to secure your possessions in the event of robbery or loss, and two, to conceal your identity in the event of monitoring or chasing. Because jitte served as both a restraint and a proof of identity.
Since higher-ranking officials than the Yoriki (police sergeant) didn’t usually work together to catch criminals and the Doshin (patrol officer) used their jitte more to give commands than to catch criminals, their jittes sometimes didn’t have hooks but instead looked like katanas (uchigatana).
Some jittes came with a tsuba. And some were elaborately embellished with mother-of-pearl, lacquer, and raden, while others featured brass or silver inlay (zogan or damascening), embossing, and plating.
Parts of the Jitte
The main parts of the jitte. (Photo: Lakkisto Jarkko, CC BY 3.0)
Shaft (boshin)
Forging and milling are the two main ways that the shaft of a jitte is made. The shaft can be as simple as a straight rod or tapered at both ends. The shaft’s cross-section is typically round, hexagonal, or octagonal.
From time to time, you’ll find equilateral triangles, squares, rectangles, dodecagons, and ovals. Or those that pierce a square hole in a hexagonal pattern, or those with a pentagonal base that expands into an octagon.
Some jittes can look more like a kabutowari or tekkan (“iron sword”). Still, others have a diamond-shaped cross-section or a “three-pronged” hook design to imitate Fudo Myoo’s (a Buddhist guardian deity) Kurikara sword.
For good measure, there are jittes, which are hollow steel tubes that store a hidden weapon that sticks out when you shake it. Finally, one type of jitte has a long chain attached to the tip, which turns the jitte into a ranged weapon.
Handle (tsuka)
Jittes with different handle designs.
If the shaft is cut into a grasp-friendly shape like a hexagon or octagon, then the bare surface can be used as a handle; alternatively, the shaft can be covered in a substance like brass to make it sturdier and easier to grab, even in the biting cold of winter.
Some implements have rattan, thin strings, or leather threads wound around the shaft for a firmer grasp, while other handles, like those made of wood or ivory, are designed to be more ergonomic in the hand or to cushion the shock of an impact. Another type of jitte handle covering is used on Japanese swords like the uchigatana and Wakizashi, and it is wrapped in sharkskin and then further wrapped with a tsukamaki or handle wrap.
Hook (kagi)
The term “kashime” (かしめ) refers to the fastener technique typically used to connect hooks to the shaft. To do this, the hook’s joint must be inserted into a mortise opening on the shaft’s handle end, which has been enlarged on one side and constricted on the other.
A rivet joint is formed when the hook is pushed into the narrow hole and the hook material is compressed into the enlarged hole on the opposite side while the joint is still hot and malleable.
About halfway through the Edo period, this jointing method was improved by folding and forge-welding hook steel to make a “kaeshi” that would fit into the mortise like a spearhead. This improves the joint’s overall stability.
A branch hook can also be made by severing the shaft and using the two pieces to make separate hooks, or by encircling the shaft with the hook material to create a loop and hammering it firmly. These modest techniques are unusual, but they do exist.
Jittes with different handles, hooks, shafts, tips, and rings.
Types of hooks
There is a wide variety of hook designs for jitte. Most jittes come with one hook pointing forward, or some with two hooks like hairpins. There are also jitte weapons, like the “Manji” (the way 卍 or swastika is read in Japanese), that have two hooks spanning each other at right angles. Some hooks have twists at various angles, such as those with enlarged tips or an “H” form.
For others, the two hooks open at an angle of 40–130 degrees from the rod’s shaft, creating two identical isosceles triangles. Some of the jitte hooks resemble a rosary in their design, with a single horizontal bar crisscrossed in the center. Some hooks feature a protective tsuba guard or knuckle guard like in sabers.
It is possible to place the three or four hooks in a symmetrical pattern around the rod’s shaft. Some jittes have iron rings or parts of the hook that are sharpened like blades, while others have hooks that mimic the shape of a three- or five-pronged pestle (vajra), a ritual weapon of Hinduism. Jitte’s hooks come in a wide variety of styles.
The Sizes of Jitte
An unusually long uchiharai jitte with a length of 33.5 inches (85 cm).
Jitte created for personal use ranges in size from about 4 to 21 inches (9 to 54 cm) in length. The standard size of a jitte as a loaned or gifted object is between 14 and 19 inches (35 and 48 cm). Uchiharai jitte, with a length of 24–45 inches (60–115 cm), is designed for use against a skilled swordsman or an enemy with a polearm.
A naeshi jitte decorated with a dragon inlay and silver fittings.
Some jittes can be equipped with shock-absorbing handles made of cylindrical or elliptical wooden handles. A tall naeshi jitte with a hardwood grip called “naganaeshi” also serves a similar function.
Various Facts About Jitte
Kikai Jitte or Marohoshi.
The “Kikai Jitte” (in the Ikkaku-ryū, “Marohoshi”) is a special design used by practitioners of the Enmei-ryū and the Ikkaku-ryū schools of Juttejutsu. It can be used as a weapon due to its big hook and cross-shaped tsuba, or it can be used as a hook due to its versatility.
Shinmen Munisai, Miyamoto Musashi’s father, was lauded as a master of the Juttejutsu of the Tori-ryū school by the legendary shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki himself.
Written manuscripts of the Tetsujin-ryū, which is closely linked to the Enmei-ryū, depict a person carrying a blade in their right hand and a jitte in their left, indicating that these methods were once practiced but have since been forgotten.
Martial Art Schools That Use Jitte
Takenouchi-ryū
Ikkaku-ryū juttejutsu
Komagawa Kaishin-ryū
Shibukawa-ryū
Rishin-ryū
Imaeda Shin-ryū
Tori-ryū
Variants of Jitte
Karakuri jitte
Kikai jitte or Marohoshi
Naeshi Jitte
Uchiharai jitte
Similar Weapons
Kabutowari
Tekkan (“iron sword”)
Sai
Jitte in Popular Culture
The Smoker character uses jitte in One Piece.
Manga and Anime
Throughout Darwin’s Game (2020-), Liu Xuelan employs Jitte in battles.
Jittes are issued to contracted hackers in Cyber City Oedo 808 (1990-1991) as a badge of office and service firearm.
In the anime and manga One Piece (1999-), Vice Admiral Smoker of the Straw Hats employs a lengthy jitte.
In Tokyo Mew Mew (2000-2003), Quiche makes use of two jittes during battle.
TV
During the events in the Message from Space: Galactic Wars (1979) TV series, both Hayato and Ryu, two of the series’ main protagonists, carry retractable jitte.
Video Games
Sodom’s go-to tool of choice in the Street Fighter series is the jitte.
Taki, a playable character in Soul Calibur IV, has access to jitte based on the outfit he wears.
Julius Caesar’s sword Crocea Mors, or “Yellow Death” (the origin of the name is explained below), appears to be closely connected with the legend of King Arthur’s sword Excalibur. The Romans first invaded Britain in 55–54 BC, led by Julius Caesar, and their legacy continued to be remembered by the Celtic people who lived in Britain even after the invasion. The story of the Britannic kings includes the Caliburn sword and the Crocea Mors, a sword associated with Caesar that was believed to have special powers.
The name of the sword was Crocea Mors (Yellow Death), as being mortal to every body that was wounded with it.
Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, Book IV, Chapter IV, [PDF]
According to a medieval chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, Julius Caesar was known for wielding a sword, perhaps a golden one (more on that later), that could kill anyone it struck. The British saw the power of this weapon firsthand when their warrior leader, Nennius of Britain, challenged Caesar to a duel and lost. When Caesar and his army invaded Britain, the British leaders gathered to discuss their options, and some suggested launching a counteroffensive right away. They believed that if they didn’t act quickly, the Romans would take control of their coastal fortresses.
The armies of the British leaders approached the shore where Julius Caesar had set up camp, and they lined up to begin the battle. Bows and swords were used during the fight. Nennius and Androgeus, leading the citizens of Canterbury and Trinovantum, encountered the group in which Julius Caesar was present and nearly defeated them in close combat.
The Celtic army of Britain fought against the Roman army on the banks of the Thames in a battle that was so violent that the ground was covered in blood. The British warrior leaders fought bravely and managed to reach the center of the Roman formation, where Caesar was fighting with his cohort. Nennius had the chance to face off against Caesar, but he did not know that he was about to be killed by one of the most famous “legendary” swords in history, Crocea Mors.
During a battle, Nennius had the chance to face Caesar in combat. Excited at the opportunity to strike a blow against such a famous person, Nennius approached Caesar, who was ready and raised his shield to block Caesar’s attack. Caesar then tried to strike Nennius’ head with his drawn sword, but the blow was so powerful that the sword became stuck in the shield.
While the two were separated by their troops, Caesar was unable to remove the sword from Nennius’ shield. Nennius then threw away his own sword and used Caesar’s, the Crocea Mors, to attack the enemy. Any person he struck with Crocea Mors either had their head cut off or was left with a serious wound. But he couldn’t utilize Crocea Mors for very long.
Crocea Mors Was Buried Alongside Nennius
With his alleged sword Crocea Mors, Julius Caesar is fighting on the front line.
The Celts emerged victorious from the conflict. By day’s end, the Romans had been whittled down to a mere few, and so they retreated to their ships and set off for Gaul. Many of Caesar’s advisors pleaded with him to end the invasion, and he finally agreed, declaring that he would never step foot on the island again. Struck by Caesar’s sword Crocea Mors, Nennius was on his deathbed a week later.
Caesar had inflicted a wound on Nennius during the battle that turned out to be incurable, and only 15 days after the battle, Nennius died and was buried at Trinovantum (today’s London), near the North Gate.
His funeral was held with great ceremony, and Caesar’s sword Crocea Mors was placed in his tomb, which Nennius had been holding during the fight after it was struck into his shield. The Crocea Mors, a legendary and mysterious sword, has not been mentioned since.
Why Was Crocea Mors Called “Yellow Death”?
Crocea Mors that Caesar carried was most likely a bronze gladius at that time. But there are many explanations for why Caesar’s sword, Crocea Mors, was called “Yellow Death.” Angau Coch (“Red Death”) or Agheu Glas (“Grey Death”) are the names given to it in Middle Welsh translations.
One of the challenges with steel has always been how to harden it and create high-carbon steel. Without the right furnaces, people had to use other methods based on the inclusions in the metal. If there is silicon present, which makes the steel hard but flexible, the color will turn yellow when it is heated during the forging process. A sword that is very hard can also have a sharp and durable cutting edge, and those obtained from Civitavecchia (also known as “Port of Rome”) had a hardness of 80 HRC. Even today, a wire with a hardness of 67 is considered very hard.
A yellow-colored sword is exceptional and can easily cut and pierce through armor without being damaged. So, the yellow color of Crocea Mors indicated its exceptional strength and durability, and its ability to easily cut through everything on the battlefield.
Is Excalibur Related to Crocea Mors?
The battle between King Arthur and Sir Mordred by William Hatherell, 19th century.
There is a theory, as described in Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s novel “The Last Legion,” that a group of loyal Roman soldiers helped the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus, who was deposed in 476 AD, flee to safety in Britain. Romulus Augustus, who became king under the name Pendragon and had a son named Arthur, had a tutor named Merlinus Ambrosinus, who later became known as Merlin.
The theory suggests that Romulus Augustus brought a sword called Escalibur, which translates to “CAI.
IUL.CAES.ENSIS CALIBURNUS” or the Calibian sword of Julius Caesar, with him to Britain. As a sign of peace, Romulus Augustus supposedly threw the sword far away and it ended up stuck in a rock, where it was exposed to the elements and only a few letters of the inscription were still readable: E S CALIBUR. The sword Excalibur is called Caliburnus in Latin. The two swords, Excalibur and Crocea Mors could very well have been forged by the same author, Geoffrey of Monmouth.
According to legend, Caesar’s sword Crocea Mors was lost in Britain and this is the only place it has been reported that Caesar had one. However, there is no record in Roman history that Caesar had a specific sword. The story that his sword was stolen from him comes from The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth. This book also includes the legend of King Arthur, and according to this fact alone, there is a supposed connection between Arthur’s Excalibur and Caesar’s Crocea Mors.
Crocea Mors in Popular Media
Aside from books, Crocea Mors is also a popular sword in various video games. We see Crocea Mors in a popular Japanese video game called Final Fantasy XI. Another Japanese title, Type-Moon, includes the sword with a reference saying “Caesar doesn’t really like drawing this sword. He will never forget how he carelessly got it stuck in an enemy’s shield and lost it.” Texas-based Rooster Teeth Games’ RWBY: Grimm Eclipse includes a sword named Crocea Mors with the reference that “Both the sword and the shield are shown to be incredibly durable.“
