Anyone know what this is called?

[estcrh]

I saw one of these that the owner called by a specific name but I cant find it now, Tobikuchi or firemans tool has been suggested but I have not seen another tobikuchi with this shape, I was hoping someone might have an idea.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Eric, yours seems to have a clip for a belt on it.

http://www.google.co.jp/images?hl=ja&rl ... CCgQsAQwAA

[estcrh]

Piers, do you know if all fire hooks are called "Tobikuchi" is that a generic name or are there different names for different shapes. If the one I have is a fire hook it is a lot different looking than the ones I have seen. Thanks for that link, there are some interesting pictures of different hooks and tools etc, and those ladder acrobatics are extreme, do people do that as an exhibition in Japan? Thanks!

[Richmond]

Isn't it called a Jitte?

 

 

 

Cheers

Steven L

[Bugyotsuji]

Steven, I think you'll find that Jitte 十手 are straight-ended, for parrying sword blows...

http://www.google.co.jp/images?q=%E5%8D ... CCQQsAQwAA

[Richmond]

 

 

Cheers

Steven L

[Nobody]

....... do you know if all fire hooks are called "Tobikuchi" is that a generic name or are there different names for different shapes. .............

"Tobiguchi (鳶口)" leterally means a beak of a kite. Then you will know the answer.

[estcrh]

Koichi, thats interesting, thanks.

[estcrh]

I saw one of these that the owner called by a specific name but I cant find it now, Tobikuchi or firemans tool has been suggested but I have not seen another tobikuchi with this shape, I was hoping someone might have an idea.

 

I just saw another one of these and its definitely a weapon, still looking for a name other then tobikuchi.

 

 

 

 

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

Eric, the chain in the second picture seems too short for practical use, see following examples:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm9FI5ppsyM

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-PbiJu4 ... re=related

 

Here's an example of Jutte/Jitte & Tessen in action:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu38CVCQoQg&NR=1

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[estcrh]

Malcolm, I was looking to see if this particular type of pick like head had a name that was different then the typical kama or kusarigama head which is more like a sickle. As for the length of chain I think that different methods of use dictated the length of chain. Interesting to see a sword up against a kusarigama. Here is the usual sickle type of kusarigama.

 

[Baka Gaijin]

Afternoon all,

 

Eric, here's some more chained weaponry, this time from Araki Ryu, note the shorter chain in the Kusarigama sequence:

 

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Assuming this is a weapon, it should be a percussion one, not meant to cut.

May I highlight that if such a short chain is entrangled on a neck or a whirst there's no room enough left to pick efficiently with the point ?

And lacking an edge you've no options for cutting as usually is done with a regular Kusarigama.

 

It's puzzling, maybe some martial artist can give more info in this one.

 

[John A Stuart]

消火斧 Shoukahu also known as a Tobiguchi, for the reasons Moriyama san detailed, were used by Edo period firemen to hook and tear down buildings to prevent spread of fire. Remember construction of houses was light and fire prevention was to stop further damage, putting out lit fires was fairly futile unless they were sturdy storage warehouses or mansions. The chain facilitated this process, as well, this axe, sometimes cutting edged, could be used for defense. All I know. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

If it walk like a duck and quack like a duck chances are it's a duck...

 

Chain and weight look not rust-pitted as the rest. Might be later additions.

[estcrh]

I have been looking at Tobiguchi ever since I first posted this, a least 50 or more, they all seemed to have the same general shape and look and none had a chain. I think that like the jutte which was a sort of badge and symbol of an office, the Tobiguch was much the same and represented the office held by the owner which would explain why they all seem to look similar. The 2 items with pick type of heads that I posted picturs of are completely different looking, one is mounted much like a spear and the other like a kusarigama, I could be wrong but I think this represents a weapon. As for the chain, original forged chains are very rare, they seem to have been replaced on even authentic old chain weapons, the chain may have been added later and even shortened. I think that anyone using one of these types of weapons would have had a sword or short spear etc available also for use when entangled with someone in a fight. Here is a close up picture of an old forged manriki chain and close ups of the kusarigama type item.

 

 

 

[ububob]

Weapon or tool? Either way it is one wicked device.

[estcrh]

Another one of whatever these are.