Tekko - Okinawan Horse Sense

Another traditional Okinawan kobudo tool members of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu learn is tekkō (鉄甲). Tekko (also ‘tecchu’) is known as Okinawa ‘knuckle dusters’ in English and have a North America equivalent known as ‘brass knuckles’. But if you decide to train with the North American version, it is best not to ‘horse’ around and get of the wrong side of the horse. Brass knuckles have been outlawed in some states as well as in some countries just like nunchaku - so learn your local laws. 

Using car keys as tekko, a very good
  self-defense weapon for women and men.

The origin of tekko is not clear but it appears to have originally been an accessory tool found in the ‘horse’ stables of Okinawa. There are many varieties of tekko and one simple variety was a horseshoe or modified  horseshoe. 

As a horseshoe, the curvature (‘U’) of the shoe was placed in the palm of the hand with the two ends projected outward. The curve was usually wrapped in a rag or rope to give the defender gripping capability. A modification included sharpening the tips of the horseshoe, while others were made from two horseshoes tied or welded together. There are likely many other designs, as these tools were easily carried by Okinawa martial artists.

Another variety of tekko originated from saddle stirrups. Many traditional tekko look similar to Western-style saddle stirrups, rather than those used by Japanese samurai. In its simplest form, such a tekko made from a horse stirrup would have been a D-shaped tool that wrapped around the hand. As these  evolved, stubs and sharpen protrusions were added to the arch of the D to deliver greater damage. These types of tekko were made from both metal and wood and the hand grip was also used for striking and blocking.

The traditional horse stirrup tekko

Another tool used in handling a horse harnessed to a carriage was used as tekko, while another tekko was developed by fishermen from a tool that assisted in hauling in fishing nets (similar to nunti bo) to protect hands from sharp coral.

There are similar hand weapons considered as a variety of tekko, such as the ‘yawara’ or ‘kuboton’, which were nothing more than a stick or rod held in the hand. Some had pointed tips, others had a flat surface that was used to strike an opponent as well as activate pressure points. 

Kuboton tekko

The ‘chize kun bo’ was a short stick attached to a piece of rope that looped around the defender’s fingers to assist in retention of the weapon. Other tekko were made from wood with sharpened extensions which fit between the first and second fingers. 

The principal difference between Okinawan tekko and common variety of brass knuckles was not only mass of the object (brass knuckles have relatively high specific gravity) but most brass knuckles have four finger holes: traditional tekko had an open slot to place the hand and fist. 

There are modern versions of tekko, such as the ninja keychain tekko and the car key tekko. In the hands of a martial artist, the tekko can be an very effective weapon of self-defense for blocking, striking and  pressure point activation.

A ninjutsu tekko

Few martial arts schools include tekko in their curriculum; however, many affiliated with Juko Kai International train with tekko. 

Then there is the tekko-kagi, a farming implement used for reaping weeds and considered more of a ninjutsu weapon. The tekko-kagi included four iron spikes that looked more like a bear claw attached to a metal ring which fit around a person’s hand or wrist. Some of these were wicked-looking tools. 

A primitive tekko straight from the horse.

Sansetsukon (3-sectional staff) at the Arizona Hombu, Mesa

Suzette blocks bo attack using sansetsukon during kobudo class at the Seiyo no Shorin-Ryu hombu in Mesa.

A few months ago, Ben, one of our more dedicated students at the hombu, arrived with ‘san-setsu-kon’ (translates as ‘three-segmented-bo’) in hand, asking about its use and if we would learn to use this weapon in class. Ben is into martial arts weapons and periodically shows up with uncommon weapons. Not too long ago, he came to our karate school (dojo) with an odachi in hand – a samurai sword that is as long as most people are tall.

You will find little information about sansetsukon on the Internet even though a few books have been written by Chinese martial artists on the subject. I have not seen these books so I have no idea if they are of value, but I warn people to be careful of purchasing martial arts books: most have little value and most are poorly written and not worth reading, but there are a handful of martial arts books that are good.

A sansetsukon is a Chinese martial arts weapon adapted by Okinawan karate practitioners for kobudo. In Chinese, sansetsukon is known as sanjiegum (三節棍) and referred to as a coiling dragon, probably because it gives the impression of a coiled dragon, and also because it bites its user like a coiled dragon until they can tame this beast with considerable training. The weapon consists of three  sectional sticks with a combined length typical for many bo. These are attached by rope, chain, or rings and originally used as a flail by Chinese farmers. In martial arts it is used similar to surujin, bo and nunchaku combined. And like the surujin, it causes problems even for the most adept kobudo practitioners. 

A coiling dragon, sketch copyright by Soke Hausel

In the past, staves were manufactured from bamboo, white oak, wax wood, red maple or metal. Today, most are made of aluminum, bamboo, rattan, foam rubber or a variety of hardwood.

The three-sectional staff is a brutal weapon particularly to those new to its use, whether you are on the receiving or attacking end. Even so, you will find it is an effective tool after you begin to feel comfortable with it. And just like the nunchaku, I recommend starting with foam padded sansetsukon. 

Some suggest that the sansetsukon was introduced to Okinawa from the Chinese Fuijian province by Soke Shinko Matayoshi (1888-1947) who also created two kata for the Matayoshi Shorin-Ryu Kobudo system. The two kata were referred to as sansetsukon dai ichi and sansetsukon dai ni. At the Arizona Hombu, we will learn basics, bunkai and sansetsukon no kata. 

The sansetsukon, or three staved nunchuku, is a
difficult weapon to master. 

Soke Shinko was succeeded by his son Shimpo Matayoshi (1921-1997). Following the death of Shimpo, Matayoshi Kobudo fragmented into different groups with one headed by Yasushi Matayoshi who operates the Matayoshi hombu dojo in Okinawa known as the Kodokan. Kodokan refers to a place where one can receive “Instruction in the Way”; and there is more than one Kodokan training center. The best known is that of the Judo Kodokan (35^o42’28”N; 139^o45’13”E) founded by Jigiro Kano in Tokyo, which is an incredible, 8-story dojo. If you use the above coordinates on Google Earth, you can visit the Judo Kodokan on aerial photography.

In 2003, the University of Wyoming Campus Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo club brought the well-known Okinawan martial artist Tadashi Yamashita to the university to teach a clinic, which some of you reading this newsletter likely remember. Yamashita is one of the more famous students of Shimpo Matayoshi. 

If you are into martial arts movies, this weapon was used by Jackie Chan in the 2000 movie Shanghai Noon. It was also seen in the 1980 movie The Victim and the 2006 movie Fearless. 

"Optimism" - pencil sketch of a coiling dragon,
copyright by Soke Hausel

Arizona's Karate and Kobudo Classes, Schools and Instructors

Nunchaku training in Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai. Photo
 shows (from Left to Right) Dr. Adam, Sempai Scofield, Sensei
Borea and Sempai Lang.

Traditional Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate training also involves training in kobudo (the ancient art of traditional weapons), jujutsu, shitai kori (body hardening) and much more. Our adult students learn to effectively use hands and feet as well as common every day tools and the traditional kobudo tools from Okinawa used by farmers, merchants and fishermen for weapons of self-defense.

Soke Hausel also teaches private clinics with a variety of modern weapons - including magazines, books,  car keys, rocks, coins, pens, etc..

shitai kori (body hardening)

Dr. Adam poses after demonstrating use of common everyday tools for self-defense for
a typical nerd. In this demo, he used pens, classes, belt and even his trousers as weapons.

Dr. Adam demonstrated the use of the Corn Huskers tools as self-defense
weapons. He stand here with a corncob pipe, farmers hat, corncob chuks
handkerchief, and suspenders, all potential weapons.

Been to the library lately? Soke Hausel teaches clinic to Chandler librarians
 on common tools for self-defense that included cell phones, car keys,
PC computers and even books.

Dr Adam hooks back of Rich's knee during bunkai training with kuwa (garden hoe) and
bo (6-foot staff) at the Arizona School of Traditional karate in Mesa, Arizona