Tsukubō

The tsukubō (突棒) is a polearm weapon historically used in feudal Japan by law enforcement officials, particularly during the Edo period. It is characterized by a long pole, typically 6 to 8 feet in length, with a T-shaped or Y-shaped head made of metal or wood. The head is often fitted with sharp metal spikes or barbs.

The primary function of the tsukubō was to capture and control suspects without causing lethal injury. The forked head was used to trap a person's clothing, limbs, or neck, hindering their movement and allowing officers to subdue them. The spikes served as a deterrent and could be used to inflict pain compliance.

Unlike swords or spears, the tsukubō was not designed for direct combat. Instead, it was employed as a non-lethal tool for crowd control, apprehension, and restraining individuals. Several officers would typically use tsukubō in concert to surround and immobilize a target.

The tsukubō is considered one of the torimono sandōgu (捕物三道具), the "three tools of arrest," alongside the sasumata (spear-fork) and the sodegarami (sleeve entangler). These tools were crucial for maintaining order and enforcing the law in a period when lethal force was often discouraged. The tsukubō remains a historical artifact of Japanese law enforcement and a testament to their commitment to non-lethal methods of subduing individuals.