jutte

In feudal Japan, it was a crime punishable by death to bring a sword into the shōguns palace. This law applied to almost everyone, including the palace guards. Due to this prohibition, several kinds of non-bladed weapons were carried by palace guards. The jitte proved particularly effective and evolved to become the symbol of a palace guard's exalted position. In Edo-period Japan, the jitte was a substitute for a badge, and it represented someone on official business. It was carried by all levels of police officers, including high-ranking samurai police officials and low-rank samurai law enforcement officers (called okappiki or doshin). Other high-ranking samurai officials carried a jitte as a badge of office, including hotel, rice and grain inspectors (aratame). The jitte is the subject of the Japanese martial art of jittejutsu.

• Boshin, the main shaft of the jitte which could be round or faceted. The boshin of most jitte were iron, but some were made from wood. • Kagi, the hook protruding from the side of the boshin. Jitte may have more than one kagi, with some jitte having two or even three kagi. • Kan, the ring or loop at the pommel of the tsuka. A cord or tassel could be tied to the kan. Also note its 'skull cracker' design. • Kikuza ("chrysanthemum seat"): if the kagi is attached to the boshin through a hole in the boshin, the protrusion on the opposite side is called a kikuza. • Koshirae. Jitte can occasionally be found housed in a sword-type case hiding the jitte from view entirely. This type of jitte can have the same parts and fittings as a sword, including seppa, tsuba, menuki, koiguchi, kojiri, nakago, mekugi-ana and mei. • Sentan, the blunt point of the main shaft of the jitte. • Tsuba, a hand guard present on some types of jitte. • Tsuka, the hilt of the jitte, which could be wrapped or covered with various materials, or left plain. • Tsukamaki, the wrapping on the hilt (tsuka). Materials such as ray skin (same), leather, and cord were used.

• Hachiwara • Karakuri jitte • Marohoshi • Naeshi or nayashi jitte have no hook or kagi. • Tekkan

• Illustration — The sentan (tip or point) of a jitte with a hexagonal boshin (shaft) • Illustration — The tsuka (handle) showing the ray skin (same) tsukamaki (handle wrap) • Illustration — The kan (end loop) • Illustration — The kagi (hook) • Illustration — Naesshi or nayashi jitte, a hookless jitte • Illustration — A jitte with a wooden shaft • Illustration — An antique jitte with a hexagonal boshin (shaft) • Illustration — A matched pair of iron jitte and two kagi (hooks), similar to a sai, copper covered tsuka (handle) and iron kan (end loop) with tassel • Illustration — Karakuri jitte