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. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole, similar to the "tsukubō" and "sasumata". Together with those other implements it is part of the "sandōgu" used by police.__TOC__

History

Cunningham makes a claim for the evolution of the "sodegarami" from the "yagaramogara", "a long pole implement employed by naval forces." He goes on to trace that implement back to the "lang xian", dating to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), which he writes was used to defend against Japanese pirates. Cunningham gives the following alternative names for the "sodegarami": "roga-bō ", "shishigashira", "neji", and "tōrigarami".

The "sodegarami" (literally 'sleeve entangler') was used, as its name implies, to entangle the sleeves and clothing of an individual. This could be done to restrain the individual, who could then be more easily disarmed or dealt with. Spines and barbs along the length were there to prevent a criminal from easily grasping the shaft and wresting the implement away from the arresting officer. Together with the "sasumata" and the "tsukubō" it is one of the three "torimono sandōgu" of the Edo police.

ee also

* Sasumata
* Tsukubō
* Torimono sandōgu

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.