Yawara-bo - Basic weapon of jujutsu

Jujutsu schools often employed the use of easily concealable weapons called hibuki. Hibuki literally means "secret weapons" or "hidden weapons." One of the more popular weapons was the yawara-bo, sometimes referred to simply as yawara. 

The basic yawara-bo.

The first kanji character, yawara means "flexibility" or "giving away." The same kanji character is also pronounced as "ju" in terms like judo or jujutsu. Yawara was another early reference to unarmed fighting styles such as jujutsu. The second kanji character, bo simply means "stick." The yawara-bo was also frequently referred to as tenouchi, which literally means something "inside the hand."

Many jujutsu styles taught both defensive and offensive techniques using the yawara-bo, either as a primary weapon or to assist in throwing and restraining a subject. Unlike many other classical martial arts weapons, though, the yawara-bo has stood the test of time and is still as versatile and as effective as it was centuries ago.

The yawara-bo is basically a short wooden rod used as a hand load weapon against sensitive nerve points on the opponent’s body or to block strikes. Ranging from about six to eight inches long, the shaft is frequently carved to better fit the user’s fingers and to improve the grip. The yawara-bo is typically held in either hand, extending slightly from both ends of the fist. The ends of the yawara-bo are then used to strike or apply pressure to sensitive nerve points on an adversary’s body referred to as kyusho, or "vital points."

The basic yawara-bo grip.

The yawara-bo is primarily used for uchi waza, or "striking techniques," enhancing empty-handed blows, but it is also very effective for uke waza, or "blocking techniques." The ends concentrate the force of a strike into a single point. The yawara-bo can thus be used for either painful blows to soft tissue areas or disabling blows to an opponent's kyusho. 

Simultaneous blocks and strikes to the arm muscles can immobilize the limb, breaking an opponent’s hold or forcing them to drop a weapon. Bicep, tricep, brachial artery on the inside of bicep, and the inner and lower sides of the forearm are all highly effective target strikes for the yawara-bo. A sharp strike to any bony area will generally discourage most assailants. A harder, well-placed blow can easily break bones.

In addition to striking and stabbing techniques, the yawara-bo is also very effective for applying compliance techniques against reluctant subjects. The yawara-bo can be used in a variety of painful techniques. Control is maintained as long as the technique is applied, but has no lasting effects when released. This makes the yawara-bo a very effective tool when the primary goal is subject compliance rather than inflicting permanent injury.

Simply pressing the yawara-bo into nerve points like the mastoid (cavity behind the ear), philtrum (base of nose), and jugular notch (base of windpipe) is an effective method for controlling an opponent. Other sensitive areas include an opponent’s ear lobe, sternum bone, nostrils, etc. These points can be attacked from front or rear. Pressing the ends or sides of the yawara-bo against these sensitive nerve points is often a useful compliance technique when handling an unwilling subject. If an attacker has seized an individual, the hold can also be broken by pressing the yawara-bo into any of the nerve points, which can be reached.

The yawara-bo offers added leverage in many osae waza, or "holding techniques," as well as kansetsu waza, or "joint-locking techniques." An opponent’s wrists, arms, and legs can be easily locked, controlling even the largest opponent by using the leverage and pain created by the yawara-bo to immobilize the adversary's limbs. The yawara-bo can be employed to clamp either the radius and ulna bones of the wrist or the fingers and thumbs. Pressing the point into the back of an adversary’s hand also works well for control. Locking an opponent’s anklebone or shins with the yawara-bo is also effective for a takedown or controlling technique.

In much the same way, the yawara-bo can be used to intensify shime waza, or "choking techniques." The inflexibility of the wooden weapon serves to increase pressure when applying either a choke or joint-lock, making the respective technique more effective as well as more resistant to any escape efforts.

Finally, the yawara-bo can be used to snag a subject’s limbs for combination with nage waza, or "throwing techniques." Holding the yawara-bo with a few inches protruding from the fist, the end can then hook a part of an opponent’s body to gain control before throwing. An opponent’s attack can be redirected by hooking and controlling the wrist. Likewise, an opponent is easily pulled off-balanced by snagging the neck and forcing the head down, backward, forward, or to either side. Once the opponent is off-balanced, they are left extremely vulnerable to any number of throws.