Saw a good friend today, who gave me an old jitte/jutte. Thanks buddy. I didn't name you because I didn't know if you wanted me to or not, but will if you want me to. Or should I have said I had lunch with an old friend who gave me a good jutte? Either way, thanks!
About a foot or so long and the handle is maybe 3/4 inch. Thinking of putting a wrap over the existing wire wrap. Will measure it later for you. Gotta make dinner now.
Ok, the secret is out... My benefactor is my buddy @Bear. I see him more as a big brother at this point in our relationship. Thanks. And thanks for the hand me downs too. Actually, I'm not sure who the big brother is. I probably got 50 pounds on him. All that eating, you know.
@kellory, 13 1/2 inches long, not including the tassel ring. 3/4 inch thick in the handle and 1/2 inch thick in the "blade." 14.6 ounces. Rock solid.
For all us ignorant folks not aware of what a jitte/jutte is other than what we see in the picture, please explain for us how it is used as a tool or weapon. I see possibilities just looking at it. But, I am no expert at non firearm type weapons, although I am aware many martial arts disciplines make use of common tools in both defensive and offensive ways.
Will slide out of a sleeve, quite easily as well. And with no sharpened edges can not run afoul of knife size restrictions. It will guard a forearm, and will catch a blade or club, and still poke holes with enough force.
it's sort of a Japanese baton, often carried by policemen and lower Samurai. Can be used as a weapon, a compliance tool, and a defensive tool against swords. Many actually had a detachable blade at the tsuba (sp?), the little thing protruding is basically for catching a blade, among other uses.
The jitte or jutte is basically a medieval Japanese nightstick used by the police. That is the simplest explanation I can come up with. The tassel denoted rank and station as well as geographical information. I think I read somewhere that samurai used it to, particularly in the imperial castle, so no blood would be spilled within there. Anyway, there are martial art systems based on it. Not surprisingly, called jitte jutsu or jutte jutsu.
My sword students were good sports today, letting me experiment on them with the jutte. Like I mentioned to @Bear, they get what they pay for. Free classes = they get to be my guinea pigs. Bwahahaha...