Samurai Arresting Rope by Soke Rick Greene

Samurai Arresting Rope by Soke Rick Greene

The word for rope is (nawa), the rope was used by samurai to capture criminals between 1600 and 1868. The arresting ties employed varied depending on whether the suspect was samurai captured in battle or a commoner. Each samurai clan had its own binding methods. During the Edo Era, the rope was utilized to transport prisoners accused or convicted of crimes. In the past, prisoners attempting to escape were subjected to harsh treatment during their transportation to prison or the execution grounds. The most effective restraining ropes are crafted from hemp. Ropes braided with three thin strands are considered the most suitable. This is because they are easy to tie. The length can vary based on the samurai clan’s method. While there are no strict guidelines for the length there are some common lengths, for the “haya-nawa” or short quick tie are 2.5 to 3.5 feet.

The act of being bound by ropes was considered humiliatiing and disrespectful to the common people and their families and communities. It was believed that it was preferable to be executed rather than to be paraded through the streets bound in the samurai arresting rope.

The rope may be colored differently on the time of the year or the changing of the seasons. If the crime was minor, a white rope was used;  for an upper-class individual a purple rope would be used. A lower individual was tied with a black rope based on their status. In the meiji era (1868-1912 the practice of using different colors was abandoned. The practice was performed by samurai with extensive martial arts experience, particularly jujutsu.  One technique involved placing a bundle of rope inside their kimono loosely around their wrist, taking the assailants wrist, and quickly placing the loop onto their wrist to gain control.

Samurai used take-down poles, one such pole was used to control a prisoner was the “samumata” also know as a spear fork. This pole was used for trapping, tripping and controlling. Now, lets identify various parts of the rope. The mane part is the “Tai” is the body, and the ends are called “Te” which means hands. The loop at one end is called “Hebi Guchi”, which translates to”snake mouth”.  When folding or making a curve it is known as “Wasa” and when making a circle it is called “Magewa”.  Before techniques involving the rope could be performed the first technique was “Tejo” or handcuffing.  One such handcuffing method involves trying tying the middle fingers “Yubi Nawa” together, this is a very quick and painful tei used for controlling and transporting a prisoner.

One form of punishment or humiliation employed at the time was known as public exposure. Individuals accused for attempting suicide would be subjected to this form of punishment by being tied to a post or tree in a public place for extended period, sometimes spanning several days. This would diminish their status as non-human and in the community. During the transportation of a prisoner referred to as a “Rakka” or following flower. If the prisoner was a samurai a piece of white paper was wrapped around the samurai’s neck. In cases of banishment the bondage should not be excessively tight.  Another transportation if by boat the end of the rope was secured to the rigging as the prisoner was unlikely to attempt escape due to the risk of drowning. If the samurai was to be executed shortly before execution the white paper would be removed.  One method, if the samurai rope was not long enough the cord from the sword known as “Sago-O”.

Samurai held the esteemed position of warriors and police officers at the time, the term “Samurai” translates to “To Serve” and the rope was merely one of the many ways in which they fulfilled their duties.  While many of these techniques have been replaced with modern tools such as handcuffs.

Here are several schools where Hojojutsu is still practiced: Midori Kazoku Bushi Jujutsu Yoshida-ha Shidara Yanagi Ryu Seigo Ryu Jujutsu

This article was prepared by Soke Rick Greene Headmaster of Midori Kazoku Bushi Jujutsu