"Yes, it could be a perfect shape for skulduggery."
I've come across the term "Hiden Buki" in respect of weapons concealed in everyday objects.
There are a number of Koryū who have this within their tradition, notably Hōten-ryū (法典流)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hōten-ryū
Good afternoon John
The late Donn F Draeger wrote about its complexities.
https://en.wikipedia...wiki/Donn_F._Draeger
Check out:
Classical Budo
Classical Bujutsu
Modern Budo and Bujutsu
Then one could always adopt the principle of the thumb and index finger replacing the Tsuba to enforce Maai 間合い and encourage Riai 理 合.
The operative Kiai being Ouch!!!, Tish!! or an Anglo Saxon Expletive using four letters, if Maai is mistaken.
Usual forms for a standard Bokuto used by many Gendai Budo schools
https://tozandoshop....ections/bokuto-tsuba
More
https://www.ninecirc...uba-dome-for-bokken/
Probably, but you would have to do the 100 man Kumite three days in a row in order to be considered sincere enough to learn it!!!!
Also Colin's point about pilgrims brings up Carmen Blacker's "The Catalpa Bow" an excellent study of Misogi and obscure Shamanistic practices .
When the force of the water is pounding down upon your head from on high, you don't want a dead sheep to come cascading down.....
Actually happened in the 70's to a group of Welsh Kyokushin Karateka training under the Sgwd yr Eira.
Real OSU!!!!
Here's what it looks like today:
http://www.ooooyama.com/taki.html
Should look like this
As Piers says, there are issues with the paper and the foxing.
Removal of the foxing would be expensive.
However it is a really interesting study, and I am interested in what the items that look like extra long Bokuto are, and how they relate to Misogi 禊.
Two are being carried up the steps and the other held onto under the waterfall.
Cheers John,
Thankyou for posting.
One of the best demonstrations and explanations I have seen.
I have a suspicion there may be an old school Makiwara somewhere off camera.
Also have a look at the Inome piercings they look like "Love Hearts" not Boars eyes 猪目.
I am drawn to the opinion of enthusiastic Hobbyist or Chinese manufacture.
This does not look old.
The majority of "Helmet Breakers" that I have seen on the market over the years look to be Meiji Tourist items, in a few, (On close inspection) the points are malformed, almost blunted, indicating soft iron stock being used.