thumb|upright=1.5|A jitte with a sword-type case [[Commons:Category:Koshirae|(koshirae)]]

A is a blunt melee weapon that was used by police in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). In English-language sources, it is sometimes incorrectly spelled jutte, such as in Ikkaku-ryū juttejutsu.

History

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.

Description and technique

thumb|A tassled jitte with a hidden [[stiletto in the hilt]]

Jitte may have a small point or blade attached to the hilt (tsuka) and hidden in the main shaft (boshin). Jitte could be highly decorated with all manner of inlays and designs or very plain and basic depending on the status of the owner and the jitte's intended use. Jitte could range in length from around 12 to over 24 in (). The kagis more common use is to hook into clothing or parts of the body like the nose or mouth, or to push into joints or other weak points on the body. It also could be used to hook the thumb while holding the weapon backwards, to allow different techniques such as punches and blocks, similarly to a sai. The jitte can also be used in much the same manner as other short sticks or batons, to strike large muscle groups and aid in joint manipulation.

  • 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.
  • Marohoshi