A ''shobo'' is a weapon, similar to the
Emeici of China, which was used by the
ninja
A , or was a spy and infiltrator in pre-modern Japan. The functions of a ninja included siege and infiltration, ambush, reconnaissance, espionage, deception, and later bodyguarding.Kawakami, pp. 21–22 Antecedents may have existed as ear ...
of Japan for striking
pressure points on an opponent.
Form
The shobo was a piece of wood that was gripped by the wielder and was hung by a ring worn on the middle finger. Some versions were rings with a wooden peg attached on top. The ends were exposed and were usually sharp, which made them effective for paralyzing and even killing enemies quickly and without leaving a trace. They were easily hidden in the fists and were very lightweight and portable. They were usually worn in pairs. Many ninjas constructed their own shobo, although some were given from master to student.
History
Due to the secretive nature of the ninja, there is no way of knowing exactly when and where the shobo was invented (meaning no more precise than
feudal Japan
The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to the Paleolithic, around 38–39,000 years ago. The Jōmon period, named after its cord-marked pottery, was followed by the Yayoi period in the first millennium BC whe ...
) and exactly how popular it was among the ninja. It is believed this was an improvised weapon, with common origins cited as bridle bits for horses and livestock, harness rings for reins, and metal hinges for gates and doors.
How the weapon was formalized is still up for debate.
See also
*
Emeici – a similar Chinese weapon
*
Suntetsu – a similar Japanese weapon
*
List of martial arts weapons
Weapons used in the world's martial arts can be classified either by type of weapon or by the martial arts school using them.
By weapon type Handheld weapons
* Bladed weapons
**Swords: see Types of swords
** Knives
**Daggers: see List of dagger ...
References
Japanese martial arts
Weapons of Japan
{{Japan-hist-stub