Yawara

The Yawara (柔), also known as pasak or dulodulo in Filipino martial arts, is a Japanese weapon used in various martial arts, particularly those of Japanese origin. The kubotan, another well-known weapon, was derived from the Yawara.

Historical Context

The Yawara, like many martial arts weapons such as nunchaku, sai, or bō, emerged during the period of feudal Japan. During this time, laws prohibited civilians from using bladed weapons. As a result, many martial arts schools were established that taught the use of various everyday objects for personal defense. The Yawara was one such object: easy to hide and light to use.

Widespread Use

Thanks to the efforts of Frank Atsuo Matsuyama, the use of the Yawara was widely spread among Japanese police officers from the 1940s. It was later popularized in the West in the 1970s by Soke Kubota Takayuki, who introduced a variant called the kubotan, which was issued to the Los Angeles police.

Description and Use

The Yawara consists of a small stick, usually made of wood, 15 to 20 centimeters long, depending on the size of the user's hand, and shaped to favor its grip. An expert in the use of the Yawara can wield a very dangerous weapon, although it is legal in most jurisdictions and easy to hide. Given its extremely simple structure, many everyday objects, like pens, can serve as a Yawara.

The Yawara can have various uses. More commonly, it is used to hit specific parts of the human body: joints, nerves, temples, muscle bundles, and the skull are the ideal targets. A well-aimed blow can temporarily paralyze a limb or even cause loss of consciousness. The Yawara can also be used in control or projection techniques. You can also clench your hand around the weapon to assist the punch.