Tekko - Okinawan Martial Arts Weapon

The Tekko is a traditional Okinawan (Japan) martial arts weapon. It is a hand-held weapon similar to a knucklebuster or brass knuckles. Given that non-Samurai were forbidden to carry weapons in feudal Japan, the Tekko was meant to be concealed and available for self-defense. Originally, they were made from horse shoes and thus not very suspicious.

Today, the Tekko is be used in kobudo (weapons) training, katas, etc. Tekko training can be found in martial arts such as Shotokan Karate. In contrast to other traditional kobudo such as the Bo staff or Nunchaku, the Tekko is not as well-known nor as utilized. The techniques of the Tekko mostly incorporate the traditional strikes and some of the blocks taught in Karate.

References

1. Ryukyu Kobujustu Association GB, Weapons of Ryukyu Kobujutsu, http://www.rkagb.com/weapons_tekko.htm, Added - 06/16/14