17 September 2024

Tokushu Keibo - Japanese telescopic baton

From Taiho-jutsu in 'Modern Budō & Bujutsu' by Donn F. Draeger (1974).


"TOKUSHU KEIBO SOHO
The most recent development in police combat arts involves the use of a weapon called the tokushu keibō or special police club. This is a collapsible tubular truncheon made of metal alloy; because of the rapid manner in which this truncheon can be extended from its fully telescoped position it is also referred to as tobi-dashi jutte, or "jump-out truncheon." The tokushu keibō appeared in 1961, at which time it underwent a five-year period of study by various police technical commissions. Essential in its development were the police combat instructors Shimizu Takaji, Kuroda Ichitaro, and Kaminoda Tsunemori.

In 1966 a series of standard techniques for the tokushu keibo was announced, and the system of using this special weapon was called tokushu keibō soho. The tokushu keibō was given to police officers who were assigned to special missions. A revision of techniques was carried out the following year, and these revised techniques are currently undergoing extensive testing.

THEORY AND TECHNIQUES The basic techniques of tokushu keibō soho stem from the teachings of the Ikaku Ryu. The single-tined iron truncheon called the jutte is the special weapon of the Ikaku Ryu. The jutte is to be used defensively, in response to an unprovoked attack, and it is this same defensive attitude that applies to the use of the tokushu keibō in modern police work.

All ways of using the tokushu keibo require that the operator be fully trained in the fundamentals of body control, such as posture and stance, as well as turning movements.

Through kihon renshu, practice of fundamentals, the operator improves his reactions in executing prescribed tactics for avoiding an aggressor's attack and in making an effective counterattack with the collapsible truncheon. The kote-uchi, or blow to the aggressor's weapon-bearing or attacking arm, must be perfected. Other methods of striking, thrust-ing, blocking, parrying, and covering the assailant's attack to neutralise it make up the basic methods of using the tokushu keibō. Five techniques are designated as standard, though a considerable number of variations are also practiced. So that these techniques may have a full element of surprise when used, they are divulged only to policemen designated to use them.

TOKUSHU KEIBO SOHO TODAY Essentially, the tokushu keibō can be used in the same manner as the normal wooden keibō, but the durable construction of the collapsible truncheon gives the latter a wider range of application. Except for its relatively high production cost, its advantages over the wooden keibō are many. Its smaller size, when fully collapsed, makes it easy to carry and less susceptible to being seized by an aggressor in a scuffle; it is also easily concealed.

The bodily harm caused by a blow from the tokushu keibo appears to be less than that from the wooden keibo, perhaps due to the metal club's tubular construction, but at the same time its effect exceeds that of the wooden weapon."

The accompanying show Kaminoda Sensei demonstrating the Tokushu Keibo. I was fortunate enough to train with Kaminoda Sensei in 1981 in Japan