The Tekkō (鉄甲, lit. "iron", "back of hand"), which originated in Okinawa, Japan, falls into the category of a "fist-load weapon". By definition, a fist-load weapon increases the mass of the hand so that, given the physical proportionality between the fist's momentum and its mass, it increases the force the bearer can deliver. Some fist-load weapons may also serve, in the same manner as the guard on a sword, to protect the structure of the bearer's hand.
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The Tekko evolved after five stages of development. The first, called the "Yawara", consisted of nothing more than a stick or rod, held in the inside the hand. The "chize kun bo", a stick with a loop of rope, which the user could attach to the hand for control[1], came second. Third, the "Teko" resembled the "chize kun bo" but, rather than a rope, had a sharpened wooden extension of the stick, which fit between the first or second finger.[1] An Okinawan tool to help fisherman weave[2], or haul in their nets without cutting their hand on coral[3], or a long hairpin used by Okinawan Bushi called a "kanzashi"[4], quite possibly served as the inspiration for this design. The Teko appeared in hardwood form, and as soft molded metal [1] so as to greater increase the mass of the hand.
The fourth stage, or "Tek Chu", allowed for increased function over its predecessors in that it "extended beyond the clenched fist" [1], "a distinct advancement in the evolution of fist-loaded weaponry".[1] The design consisted either of a wooden stick carved with a wooden extension with a finger hole, or of a metal rod with and metal finger ring.[1] The bearer held the rod in hand, with the ring around a finger.[1] The Tek Chu often included a carved point or a metal spike protruding from the ring.[1]
Use of the true "Tekko" per se started with the "Horseshoe Tekko". Because weapons were banned in Okinawa, the Okinawans sought to put otherwise agricultural implements to martial use. "The use of the horseshoe appears to have originated when Bushi in Okinawa used the shoes of their horses as make-shift weapons to defend themselves against surprise attack.[5] "They simply put a horseshoe into the hand to punch with" (Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobjutsu Federation). Held as a "U" with the hand in the middle, the two ends extended outwards.[6]
Practitioners also tied two horseshoes together directly facing and overlapping each other. This design provided greater hand mass, and defensive guard, but resulted in larger weapons, not easily concealed, and more difficult to learn. The improved horseshoe tekko featured the two horseshoes welded together. However, the popularity of the horseshoe tekko faded, as attention turned to the smaller, more concealable horse stirrup.
The horse stirrup ("abumi") version consists of a semicircle, with two ends connected by a bar. Some think of this as solely a fist-loaded weapon: primarily a form of knuckleduster (brass knuckles). However, stirrup of Okinawan lineage does not have dividers to separate the fingers. Furthermore, the traditional stirrup tekko consists of light metal and wood, whereas modern day manufacturers of the knucklebuster version tend to focus on heavy metals such as brass, although modern models made out of such diverse materials as aluminium, wood, steel, iron, and even plastic do exist.
Artisans crafted the traditional stirrup upon which the modern design evolved from either wood or metal and were often made from a piece of flat bar, bent into a horseshoe shape and held together by a bolt., to form a "D" shape. For weapons application, would-be combatants sometimes enhanced the design by embedding additional bolts into the horseshoe shape, to inflict greater injury. Other styles of tekko exhibit sharp protrusions at either end and three spikes representative of the position of the knuckles.
As the most recent incarnation, the stirrup version remains the favorite of a predominance of Kobudo practitioners. Controversy surrounds the stirrup tekko because may Kobudo practitioners liken them to "brass knuckles", the possession of which the jurisdiction of many states prohibit as concealed weapons. Owning, and carrying this brass knuckles, often has legal ramifications. Modern brass knuckles, which required little training, remain the weapon of choice for the untrained user, with large volume manufacture and distribution throughout the world.
However, "brass knuckles" have finger dividers; stirrup tekko do not. Although many Kobudo practitioners claim that brass knuckles evolved from the tekko, brass knuckles more closely resembles then handle of the Western "trench knife". One cannot always distinguish between the appearance of the tekko and that of the knives.[7] Westerners came in contact with Okinawan martial art in the 1940s. The trench knife, and Western brass knuckles, date back to World War I [8] (with pictures of the "brass knuckle handle" trench knife dating back to 1917).
Another controversy surrounds the desire of some Kobudo practitioners to revive the horseshoe tekko. Differing schools advocate for the stirrup or horseshoe. Although advocates for the stirrup tekko emphasize near consensus, the horseshoe tekko practitioners concern themselves not so much with the forward evolution of the weapons as with the preservation of the original Okinawan cultural "jutsus" or "art forms". The arts lead to achieving a transcendent state of mind by learning control and self-discipline.
Advocates of the horseshoe version argue that the design best suits the functions as passed down in traditional kata for the weapon. Specific features of the Horsehoe Tekko, not found in the stirrup version, allow for new and interesting applications to emerge. In form and function, the horsehoe tekko more closely resembles a specialized knife such as a "double knife," a miniature "moon knife" or "duck knife".
Unlike "brass knuckles" that rely primarily on "bludgeoning", the Horseshoe Tekko emphasizes "shielding against" (blocking) and "hooking" (capturing) incoming weapons attack, as well as "stabbing" an opponent or "hooking" anatomically vital points. Effective use of the Tekko only arises through diligent practice of Kobudo kata, and an understanding of the spirit in which prior practitioners viewed the art.
Current practitioners of Tekko kata include those in the lineage of Master Taira Shinken also called Ryukyu Kobudo, which features the kata Maezato no Tekko. Other Tekko kata include Maezato no tekko (Ryu Kon Kai), Akamine, Takemyoshi, Miyazato, Kakazu, Kaneigawa, and Matayoshi (odo). The kata include heavy use of slashing and stabbing movements. The Tekko of Okinawan Kobudo (weapons kata) can be used to grip, squeeze and impale various parts of the anatomy at close quarters.
The use of tekko remains an eclectic weapon used by select martial artists to practice discipline, and to express an ancient form of art. Current experts in the area usually will not teach the discipline unless the prospective student already has displayed appropriate demeanor over the course of many years for the training in other martial arts areas.[1]
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