Jitte

A is a specialized weapon that was used by police in Edo period Japan (1603 – 1868).

History

In feudal Japan, it was a crime punishable by death to bring a sword into the ''shōgun''s palace. This law applied to almost everyone, including the palace guards. Due to this prohibition, several kinds of non-bladed weapons were carried by palace guards. The jitte proved particularly effective and evolved to become the symbol of a palace guard's exalted position.

In Edo-period Japan, the jitte was a substitute for a badge, and it represented someone on official business. It was carried by all levels of police officers, including high-ranking samurai police officials and low-rank samurai law enforcement officers (called ''okappiki'' or ''doshin''). Other high-ranking samurai officials carried a jitte as a badge of office, including hotel, rice and grain inspectors (''aratame''). The jitte is the subject of the Japanese martial art of ''jittejutsu''.Serge Mol
''Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts''
Kodansha International, 2003

Description and technique

Jitte may have a small pointed tip or blade attached to the handle (''tsuka'') and hidden in the shaft (''boshin''). Jitte could be highly decorated with all manner of inlays and designs or very plain and basic depending on the status of the owner and the jitte's intended use. Jitte could range in length from around 12 to over 24 in (). The modern jitte is about long with no cutting edge and a one-pronged tine (''kagi'') about long starting just above the hilt and pointing toward the tip (''sentan''). A popular misconception is that the ''kagi'' is used to catch a sword. It could possibly be used for this purpose, but the hook's proximity to the hand would make it rather dangerous; a more likely use for the hook would be to capture and arrest the blade after blocking it with the ''boshin''.Serge Mol
''Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts''
Kodansha International, 2003; p.80 The ''kagi''s more common use is to hook into clothing or parts of the body like the nose or mouth, or to push into joints or other weak points on the body. It also could be used to hook the thumb while holding the weapon backwards, to allow different techniques such as punches and blocks, very similarly to a sai. The jitte can also be used in much the same manner as other short sticks or batons, to strike large muscle groups and aid in joint manipulation.

Parts of the jitte

Cunningham, p.66

*'' Boshin'', the main shaft of the ''jitte'' which could be smooth or multi-sided. The ''boshin'' of most ''jitte'' were usually iron, but some were made from wood.Thomas Louis, Tommy Ito
Samurai: ''The Code of the Warrior''
Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2008; p.129
*'' Sentan'', the tip or point of the ''jitte''.
*'' Kagi'', the hook or guard protruding from the side of the ''jitte''. ''Jitte'' may have more than one ''kagi'', with some ''jitte'' having two or three ''kagi''.
*''Kikuza'' ("chrysanthemum seat"): if the ''kagi'' is attached to the ''boshin'' through a hole in the ''boshin'', the protrusion on the opposite side is called a ''kikuza''.
*'' Tsuka'', the handle of the ''jitte'', which could be wrapped or covered with various materials, or left plain.
*'' Tsukamaki'', the wrapping on the handle (''tsuka''). Materials such as ray skin ('' same''), leather, and cord were used.
*'' Kan'', the ring or loop at the pommel of the ''tsuka''. A cord or tassel could be tied to the ''kan''. Also note its 'skull cracker' design.
* ''Tsuba'', a hand guard present on some types of ''jitte''.
* '' Koshirae''. ''Jitte'' can occasionally be found housed in a sword-type case hiding the ''jitte'' from view entirely. This type of ''jitte'' can have the same parts and fittings as a sword, including ''seppa'', ''tsuba'', ''menuki'', ''koiguchi'', ''kojiri'', ''nakago'', ''mekugi-ana'' and ''mei''.

Other jitte types and similar weapons

*''Karakuri jitte''Serge Mol
''Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts''
Kodansha International, 2003; p.221
*''Marohoshi''
*''Naeshi'' or ''nayashi'' ''jitte'' have no hook or ''kagi''.
*''Tekkan''
*''Hachiwara''

Gallery

File:Jutte sentan (tip or point).jpg, The ''sentan' (tip or point) of a jitte with a hexagon ''boshin'' (shaft)
File:Jutte tsuka and tsukamaki 2.jpg, The ''tsuka'' (handle) showing the ray skin ''(same')'' tsukamaki (handle wrap)
File:Jutte kan 2.jpg, The ''kan'' (end loop)
File:Jutte kagi close up.JPG, The ''kagi'' (hook)
File:Naesshi or nayashi jutte 1.jpg, Naesshi or nayashi jitte, a hookless ''jitte''
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) jutte with a wooden boshin.JPG, A ''jutte'' with a wooden shaft
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) jutte with a hexagon boshin.JPG, An antique jitte with a hexagon ''boshin'' (shaft)
Image:2 sai jutte.JPG, A matched pair of iron ''jutte'' and two ''kagi'' (hooks), similar to a sai, copper covered ''tsuka'' (handle) and iron ''kan'' (end loop) with tassel
Karakuri_jitte.jpg, Karakuri jitte

References

External links

Samurai Weapons, Samurai Armors and the Samurai way of life.


* [http://seishinninpodojo.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/roles-and-techniques-of-the-police-during-the-edo-period-1603-1867-by-dr-kacem-zoughari// ROLES AND TECHNIQUES OF THE POLICE DURING THE EDO PERIOD (1603–1867)’ by Dr. Kacem Zoughari]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jitte
Clubs and truncheons of Japan
Samurai clubs and truncheons
Samurai police weapons