Kanabō

The kanabō (金棒) (literally "metal stick" or "metal club") is a spiked or studded two-handed war club used in feudal Japan by samurai. Other related weapons of this type are the nyoibo, konsaibo,[1][2] tetsubō (鉄棒), and ararebo.[3] Related solid iron weapons with no spikes or studs are the kanemuchi (or kanamuchi) and the aribo (also known as a gojo or kirikobo).[4]

Samurai holding a kanabō.

Description

Kanabō and other related club-like weapons were constructed out of heavy wood or made entirely from iron, with iron spikes or studs on one end. For wooden kanabō, one or both ends could be covered with iron caps. Kanabō-type weapons came in all manner of shapes and sizes, with the largest ones being two-handed and as tall as a man, while smaller ones were primarily one-handed and the length of a forearm.

Their shape could be similar to that of a baseball bat, with a thicker outer end tapering towards a slender handle with a pommel, or they could be straight all the way from the handle to the end. The shaft cross-section could be round (as in a baseball bat) or polygonal; that is, multi-faceted with flat surfaces arrayed around the central axis.[5][3][6]

Mythology

The kanabō was also a mythical weapon, often used in tales by oni, who reputedly possessed superhuman strength.[7][8] This is alluded to by the Japanese saying "like giving a kanabō to an oni"—meaning to give an extra advantage to someone who already has the advantage (i.e. the strong made stronger).[9]

  • A kanabō.
    A kanabō.
  • A statue of an oni armed with a kanabō.
    A statue of an oni armed with a kanabō.
  • A close-up of the iron spikes of a tetsubō.
    A close-up of the iron spikes of a tetsubō.
  • A Japanese kanabō.
    A Japanese kanabō.
  • A small antique Japanese wooden club with iron-covered ends and iron studs (ararebō).
    A small antique Japanese wooden club with iron-covered ends and iron studs (ararebō).[3]
  • An old Japanese wood club with iron spikes (a kanabō or tetsubō), 4′ 9″ long and 4 lb (1.8 kg) in weight.
    An old Japanese wood club with iron spikes (a kanabō or tetsubō), 4′ 9″ long and 4 lb (1.8 kg) in weight.
  • A small tetsubō.
    A small tetsubō.
  • A close-up of the iron studs on an antique Japanese ararebō, a small version of the kanabō.
    A close-up of the iron studs on an antique Japanese ararebō, a small version of the kanabō.

See also

References
  1. Kogan, Daniel, and Sun-Jin Kim (1996). Tuttle dictionary of the martial arts of Korea, China & Japan. p. 168.
  2. Pauley, Daniel C. (2009). Pauley's Guide: A Dictionary of Japanese Martial Arts and Culture. p. 90.
  3. Mol, Serge (2003). Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts. Kodansha International. p. 91.
  4. Serge Mol (2003). Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts. Kodansha International. p. 106.
  5. Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan. By Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook. p. 305
  6. Heroes of the Grand Pacification: Kuniyoshi's Taiheiki eiyū den, p. 184
  7. Trimnell, Edward. Tigers, Devils, and Fools: A Guide to Japanese Proverbs. p. 115.
  8. Ishibashi, Tanzan. The Oriental Economist, Volume 43. p. 45.
  9. The netsuke handbook. Reikichi Ueda. p. 175.
  • Media related to Kanabo at Wikimedia Commons
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