Tessenjutsu – Japanese Martial Arts focused on War Fans
Tessenjutsu is a Japanese martial arts that uses Tessen (or War Fan). These metal fans were used as a martial arts weapon in ancient Japan. Remember in feudal Japan, there was no air conditioning. Therefore, it was acceptable for samurai to carry fans. Moreover, a Tessen could be carried into areas where swords were not allowed (i.e. near a Diamyo).
According to Kokusai Nippon Budo-Kai, Tessenjutsu is “defensive in nature and especially useful for disarming and restraining opponents. The tessen is not only a powerful weapon for uchiwaza (hitting techniques) and tsuki- waza (thrusting techniques) but is also very effective for applying pressure to nerve points or for kansetsuwaza (joint-locking techniques) and shimewaza (strangulation techniques)”.
Video Demonstration of a Tessen
References
- Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Rengokai, Tessen: The Iron Fan, http://www.daitoryu.ca/html/kandan/100598_4.htm, Added – 06/13/14
- Kokusai Nippon Budo-Kai, Tessen Jutsu Seminar Martial Art of the Japanese War Fan, http://www.knbk.org/709-2, Added – 11/11/14