Sodegarami


The sodegarami is a pole weapon that was used by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.

History and description

The sodegarami is a type of man catcher. It is around in length, with multiple barbed heads facing forwards and backwards. The pole is sturdy hardwood with sharp metal barbs or spines attached to metal strips on one end to keep the person being captured from grabbing the pole. The opposite end of the pole has a metal cap or ishizuki, like those found on naginata and other pole weapons. The sodegarami, tsukubō, and sasumata comprise the torimono sandōgu used by samurai police to capture suspected criminals uninjured. The sodegarami was used to entangle the sleeves and clothing of an individual who could then be more easily disarmed or dealt with.
The sodegarami evolved from the yagaramogara, which was a long pole implement employed by naval forces. That instrument in turn was derived from the Chinese lang xian, which was used to defend against Japanese pirates during the Ming dynasty. Alternative names for the sodegarami include roga-bō, shishigashira, neji, and tōrigarami.

Gallery


File:Sodegarami.JPG|Edo period sodegarami, used by samurai police and security forces to capture armed suspects.
File:Sodegarami sasumata.jpg|Sodegarami and sasumata.