Tessen, War Fan Made Entirely Of Iron - Edo Period (1603-1868).

JAPAN - Edo Period (1603-1868). TESSEN, a war fan with 15 iron blades and two hammered iron master blades. Very slight oxidation. Dimensions: 32 x 23 cm. Sold with its custom-made stand. Dimensions with stand: 35 x 22 x 9 cm. Notes: The tessen is a defensive bladed weapon often used by samurai in the palaces of daimyos or shoguns, who frequently forbade the carrying of swords in their residences. Furthermore, a small weapon can be more practical for use in confined spaces, such as a corridor or a room in a castle. The fighting techniques developed with this weapon are called tessen-jitsu. Tessen-jutsu primarily emphasizes strikes, parries, and joint locks, focusing less on edge techniques since sharp fans were neither prevalent nor particularly effective. Tessen were therefore favored by samurai and used in situations where carrying a sword was prohibited or impossible, ensuring they were always armed. During the Edo period, tessen were also popular with high-ranking samurai who could use them against lower-ranking opponents, as using a sword against them was considered improper. It is worth noting that after the Haitorei (Government Edict Banning Swords, March 28, 1876), this weapon experienced a resurgence in popularity.