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Sodegarami

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Weapons for capturing suspected criminals: on the left tsukubō, in the middle sodegarami and on the right sasumata

The sodegarami (袖搦) is a pole weapon used by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Historically the sodegarami was used as a type of man catcher around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole was sturdy hardwood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole, similar to the tsukubō and sasumata. The sodegarami together with tsukubō and sasumata make up the torimono sandōgu (three implements of arresting) used by samurai police.

History

Don 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.

See also

Gallery

  • Edo period Japanese (samurai) Edo period sodegarami, used by samurai police and security forces to capture armed suspects. Edo period Japanese (samurai) Edo period sodegarami, used by samurai police and security forces to capture armed suspects.

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.
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