Samurai justice
The weapons, tactics, and techniques used to keep the peace in feudal Japan

The Edo period in Japan witnessed the iron-fisted rule of some of history’s most infamous shoguns, beginning with Tokugawa Ieyasu. In his remarkable campaign to take control of Japan, Ieyasu instigated harsh new laws that forced the daimyo (feudal lords) to live part-time in Edo, restricting their movement and draining their coffers, which ensured that they could pose no threat of insurrection. Ieyasu also imposed severe limitations on the weapons available to the chonin (commoners), effectively preventing them from starting uprisings of their own. In order to enforce the new laws and to maintain order among the growing population of Edo (now Tokyo), the Tokugawa shogunate employed a large number law enforcement officials—from the noble-caste samurai warriors to the criminals-turned spies known as okappiki, and everyone in between.

In this fascinating story of samurai-era “police procedure,” Don Cunningham paints a colorful picture of life during the oppressive Edo period, and the measures taken (and weapons used) to uphold the law. With illustrations, historical photographs and reproductions of paintings of the era, Taiho-Jutsu: Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai provides the reader with the most complete and accurate impression of law enforcement and the “arresting arts” during the samurai era.

In Taiho-Jutsu: Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai, author and judo second-dan Don Cunningham provides a fascinating introduction to the civil society of Edo-period (1603- 1867) Japan—particularly the role played by the well-known warrior class, the samurai.

During the enforced peace of this era, many of the samurai were unemployed and had great difficulty earning a living. Some were even forced to join the lower classes—of merchants and chonin (commoners)—to get by. These circumstances redefined the part that the samurai played in Japanese society, and challenged the traditional caste system.

Cunningham shows that the samurai were not, as commonly portrayed, always all-powerful mediators ruling the chonin through the power of their swords. During this period the samurai became a part of the complex system of Japanese law enforcement. Made up of samurai as well as machi-bugyo-sho (town magistrates), yoriki (“assistant” samurai), doshin (samurai patrol officers), komono (assistants), goyokiki (part-time police assistants), and okappiki (informants and spies)—this intricate structure mirrored the Japanese society of the day.

Taiho-Jutsu also offers a detailed look at the weapons these law enforcement officers used including the jutte (iron truncheon), tessen (iron fan), yori-bo (wooden staff), sodegarami (sleeve entangler), sasumata (spear fork), and torinawa (arresting ropes), as well as a fascinating illustrated look at the techniques used to apprehend criminals. From kamae (stances) to parrying and striking and throwing techniques, these explanations demonstrate the practical applications of self-defense techniques in Edo-era Japan.

About the author

Don Cunningham has devoted over thirty years of his life to the study and practice of both contemporary and ancient martial arts, holding advanced ranks in judo, jujutsu, and kendo, and contributing regularly to a variety of martial arts publications. While studying the ancient art of kendo (fencing with bamboo swords) on one of his frequent visits to Japan, Cunningham became interested in samurai swords and the samurai culture. This passion led him to research the Edo period, and he soon learned a great deal about the weaponry and the culture of feudal Japan.