The (push pole) was 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 ...
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
In
Edo period
The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...
Japan the samurai were in charge of police operations, various levels of samurai police with help from non-samurai commoners used many types of non lethal weapons in order to capture suspected criminals for trial. Historically the tsukubō was used as a type of
man catcher, usually around in length, with a T-shaped head.
The head of the tsukubō would have various metal spikes and barbs. The pole was 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 would have 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 tsukubō was one component of the ''
torimono sandōgu'' (three implements of arresting), along with the ''
sodegarami'' (sleeve entangler) and the ''
sasumata'' (spear fork) used by samurai police to capture suspected criminals uninjured. The tsukubō could be used to push, pull, or trip a suspect.
The tsukubō may have been developed from a type of Japanese rake used by farmers according to Don Cunningham.
[''Taiho-jutsu: law and order in the age of the samurai'', Don Cunningham, Tuttle Martial Arts, Tuttle Publishing, 2004](_blank)
, P.93-100 Originally made of wood, the teeth were eventually covered with or made of metal so that they would last longer. It is likely that they were used by farmers as impromptu weapons when necessary. Don Cunningham also states that the ''tsukubō'' was also called ''teppa'', ''hakan'', ''gettetsuken'', ''saburi'', and ''hoko''.
See also
*
Sasumata
*
Sodegarami
*
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.
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsukubo
Samurai polearms
Polearms of Japan
Samurai police weapons