Sasumata

Sasumata

The sasumata (刺股?) is a Japanese mancatcher and firefighting tool. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a U-shaped head. This head looks similar to a koto bridge, so it is sometimes called a kotojibō. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole, similar to the tsukubō and sodegarami. Together with those other implements it is part of the torimono sandōgu used for both firefighting and by police.

Today, a modern version of the sasumata is still occasionally used by the police and as a self-defense tool. These modern sasumata are often made of aluminum, without the sharpened blades and spikes found on their medieval counterparts. They have been marketed to schools due to a growing fear of classroom invasions, according to Japanese newspapers such as the Mainichi Shinbun.

Weapons for capturing thieves: on the left tsukubō, in the middle sodegarami and on the right sasumata

Contents


History

Although some sources place the origin of the sasumata in the Muromachi period, most sources discuss its use in the Edo period. Don Cunningham claims that the firefighting version of the implement was also known as a chokyakusan, rinkaku, tetsubashira, and tokikama. He goes on to mention that there was a similar weapon in China known as a chang jiao qian, and sometimes called a cha gan or huo cha (fire fork), which may have had a similar firefighting role. The sasumata was used by firefighters to help disassemble burning buildings, raise ladders, and otherwise assist with their duties.

Law enforcement in Edo used the sasumata along with the sodegarami (sleeve catcher) and tsukubō (thrusting pole) as the torimono sandōgu to restrain and arrest criminals. The head of the sasumata would be used to catch around the neck, arms, legs, or joints of a suspect and detain them until officers could close in and tie them up (using hojōjutsu). Spikes and barbs would be affixed to prevent criminals from grasping the pole and wresting the weapon from the police officers. These could also be used to help catch sleeves and clothing, similar to the sodegarami. The opposite end of the weapon would often have a metal cap, or ishizuki like those found on naginata and other pole weapons.

Today, the sasumata is marketed as a tool for law enforcement as well as schools. A reported rise in school invasions has prompted some schools in Japan to keep sasumata available as a method for teachers to protect themselves or students and detain a potential threat until the authorities can arrive. (Mainichi Shinbun 2004).

See also

Gallery

References

  • Cunningham, Don. Taiho-jutsu:Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai. Boston; Rutland, Vermont; Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2004.
  • 神之田常盛. 剣術神道霞流. 萩原印刷株式会社, 2003.
  • Mol, Serge. Classic Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts. Tokyo; New York; London: Kodansha International, 2003.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Man catcher — A man catcher is an esoteric type of pole weapon which was used in Europe as late as the 18th century.[citation needed] It consisted of a pole mounted with a two pronged head. Each prong was semi circular in shape with a spring loaded door on the …   Wikipedia

  • Tsukubō — The nihongo|tsukubō|突棒 is a Japanese pole weapon. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a T shaped head. The head often has various metal spikes and barbs. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes… …   Wikipedia

  • Sodegarami — The nihongo|sodegarami|袖搦 is a Japanese pole weapon used to entangle sleeves. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron.… …   Wikipedia

  • Hōten-ryū — is a Japanese martial art founded in 1600 CE . It is a school founded on the use of the sword, however it has several different kobuki (old weapons) in its curriculum. It is also notable for its hidden weapons ( hibuki ) or items that appear to… …   Wikipedia

  • Средневековое оружие — …   Википедия

  • Anexo:Invocaciones de Naruto — En el manga y anime Naruto, las Invocaciones son unos seres poderosos usados por los ninjas en la batalla o para realizar técnicas que el invocador no puede realizar. Habitualmente se usa Kuchiyose no jutsu o alguna variación para llamar a una… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Univers de Bleach — L’univers de Bleach est un univers fictionnel créé par Tite Kubo dans lequel se déroule l histoire du shōnen manga Bleach, et de l anime associé. Prenant part en partie dans le monde réel, il présente une vision de la vie après la mort où les… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of characters from Samurai Warriors — This is a list of characters from the game Samurai Warriors . Other installments to the series have also added other characters to the playable cast. Most of them are based on historical figures.It should also be noted that characters backstories …   Wikipedia

  • The Dairangers — are a group of fictional characters who are the protagonists of the Super Sentai series, Gosei Sentai Dairanger . They are practitioners of a form of martial arts that originated in China 8,000 years ago. They use Qi powers to fight the Gorma… …   Wikipedia

  • List of premodern combat weapons — Premodern combat weapons include include both ranged weapons and mêlée weapons weapons which, in general, existed before the invention of the true flintlock gun around 1610, or until the 1700 s for incendiary weaponscite book | title=Weapon: A… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”