From what I have heard, before swords were outlawed, the Jitte had a sheath as well made of a thick bamboo or made of Heartwood (the center of really old trees). This sheath was wielded in the other hand and would be used to block sword strikes. The jitte's "swordcatcher" would then be used to disarm the opponent and even breaking cheaply made blades peasantry would be using.
As a martial artist since 1973, and a long-time jitte aficionado, it seems the tassels are only added since they are currently made in China. They traditional Japanese jitte usually had no tassel, but it seems that when the Chinese-made jitte are sold, they stick a tassel on it, as they tend to stick tassels on everything.
I saw this movie "Shaolin vs Ninja" saying that a tassel on the blade of a Chinese spear is used to distract the enemy. But, on a youtube video, it says that the tassel absorbs the blood and prevents it from dripping on the handle making it slippery.
I remember that I was told that that edo period police samurai used to have them instead of swords in the shoguns palace, and they would count as a badge, so an inscription or talisman would be attached to it
Actually if you look at all the old jutte they all have tassels almost every single one of them and if they don't they have a hoop for one look at all the antique jutte made in Japan you'll see what I mean
Those were used a lot . Military, personal and constables used them. . I personally don't think they were super effective against swords . But swords wasn't saw ever day even back then , unless on a battle feild. But bandits and thugs were a daily thing. And I have heard of them penetrating thin armor & bamboo armor. and there's a legend about a samurai killing another samurai using it and the chin guard from a helmet
From my limited understanding, this tended to be a police weapon akin to a baton, it's not a lethal weapon so much as a means of control. I could imagine this thing being VERY effective when used in a policing/guarding context, so long as your enemy isn't full charging you. I have to assume this was a weapon that would really only be effective before or right as your enemy draws their sword. You gotta remember that even with all the tradition and martial arts, sometimes your enemy wasn't just picking moves out of a prewritten style of fighting, sometimes they were just motherfuckers.
From what I have heard, before swords were outlawed, the Jitte had a sheath as well made of a thick bamboo or made of Heartwood (the center of really old trees). This sheath was wielded in the other hand and would be used to block sword strikes. The jitte's "swordcatcher" would then be used to disarm the opponent and even breaking cheaply made blades peasantry would be using.
really enjoying all of these informational videos!! thanks for filming these!
Thanks Man! will keep them coming
I have a question: It Is possible to use the jutte in conjunción with a katana to hook the enemy blade and deliver the slash?
Good idea! you could do!
As a martial artist since 1973, and a long-time jitte aficionado, it seems the tassels are only added since they are currently made in China. They traditional Japanese jitte usually had no tassel, but it seems that when the Chinese-made jitte are sold, they stick a tassel on it, as they tend to stick tassels on everything.
So was a jitte's hand-guard actually, historically used to catch blades? That seems like a very dangerous affair.
It's true, the Chinese do love their tassels
I saw this movie "Shaolin vs Ninja" saying that a tassel on the blade of a Chinese spear is used to distract the enemy. But, on a youtube video, it says that the tassel absorbs the blood and prevents it from dripping on the handle making it slippery.
I remember that I was told that that edo period police samurai used to have them instead of swords in the shoguns palace, and they would count as a badge, so an inscription or talisman would be attached to it
Actually if you look at all the old jutte they all have tassels almost every single one of them and if they don't they have a hoop for one look at all the antique jutte made in Japan you'll see what I mean
Those were used a lot . Military, personal and constables used them. . I personally don't think they were super effective against swords . But swords wasn't saw ever day even back then , unless on a battle feild. But bandits and thugs were a daily thing. And I have heard of them penetrating thin armor & bamboo armor. and there's a legend about a samurai killing another samurai using it and the chin guard from a helmet
Wow! Thanks for the information!
From my limited understanding, this tended to be a police weapon akin to a baton, it's not a lethal weapon so much as a means of control. I could imagine this thing being VERY effective when used in a policing/guarding context, so long as your enemy isn't full charging you. I have to assume this was a weapon that would really only be effective before or right as your enemy draws their sword. You gotta remember that even with all the tradition and martial arts, sometimes your enemy wasn't just picking moves out of a prewritten style of fighting, sometimes they were just motherfuckers.
I believe the tassle is for good luck
Ah thanks for that!
How it against knives?
With the proper training, it can be affective
Lost Jitte