The is a
polearm
A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly melee we ...
that was used by the
samurai
The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
History and description
The ''sodegarami'' is a type of
man catcher. It is around in length, with multiple barbed heads facing forwards and backwards. The pole is sturdy hardwood with sharp metal barbs or spines attached to metal strips on one end to keep the person being captured from grabbing the pole. The opposite end of the pole has a metal cap or ''ishizuki'', like those found on ''
naginata
The ''naginata'' (, , ) is a polearm and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades ('' nihontō''). ''Naginata'' were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei ( ...
'' and other polearms. The ''sodegarami'', ''
tsukubō'' (push pole), and ''
sasumata'' (spear fork) comprise the ''
torimono sandōgu'' (three implements of arresting) used by samurai police to capture suspected criminals uninjured. The ''sodegarami'' was used to entangle the sleeves and clothing of an individual who could then be more easily disarmed or dealt with.
The ''sodegarami'' evolved from the ''yagaramogara'', which was a long pole implement employed by naval forces. That instrument in turn was derived from the Chinese
langxian, which was used to defend against
Japanese pirates during the
Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...
(1368–1644). Alternative names for the ''sodegarami'' include ''roga-bō'', ''shishigashira'', ''neji'', and ''tōrigarami''.
Gallery
File:Sodegarami.JPG, Edo period sodegarami, used by samurai police and security forces to capture armed suspects
File:Sodegarami sasumata.jpg, Sodegarami and sasumata
References
Sources
* 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.
External links
Samurai police weapons
Polearms of Japan
Samurai polearms
{{Polearm-stub