samurai weapons
Samurai Weapons, Samurai Armors and the Samurai way of life

Home | Aikido - Japanese Martial Arts | Bonsai For Beginners | Good Food Bookstore | Contact

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Articles


sword shop

SAMURAI SHIRTS & MUGS
FOR SALE

Samurai Weapons Sword Shop
Featuring Swords from the
Kingdom of Swords
SAMURAI SWORDS
FOR SALE





immortality
Alex Chui's Immortality Rings


Dragonfly Page

dragonfly

loose diamonds

Sparkling Diamonds and Gemstones For Sale


coins for sale

Coin Collector's Dream - Coins For Sale



Tessen - The Iron Fan

By custom and necessity, the tessen, or fan, was an item almost always carried by the Japanese Samurai.

A tessen was usually held in the hands or stuck in the Samurai's belt (or obi). On formal occasions, the samurai were always required to have a tessen in their possession. This was a grave matter of etiquette that had to be followed.

Translated directly into English, tessen means "iron fan.", Not a surprising description, as a tessen was constructed of solid metal ribs. It could either be folded or held stiffly open. Durable and solid, the tessen was more than a tool to cool one down or hide one's face...

 


When not engaged in official duties of protection or battle, the samurai would often keep his host of arms stored away. Also, according to custom, whenever a samurai visited a superior, he was required to leave his weapons with an attendant.

The tessen, not being an official weapon, could be kept in his possession. In such cases, the tessen often came in handy, if the Samurai warrior needed to suddenly defend himself.

Carrying the tessen ensured that the Samurai was never totally disarmed. To one who did not know, the tessen was a seemingly innocuous fan. But it could easily be pulled out by the Samurai to defend himself in times of need.

In fact, there are several documented incidents of highly skilled Samurai successfully defending themselves against brutal sword attacks using only a tessen. This lovely, ceremonial fan, often beautifully decorated, could be a deadly weapon.

About the Author:  Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, Harvest The Sun | Renewable Energy, Dieting Help, How To Do Card Tricks, and Visit Niagara Falls.

- Recommended Resource -

'Quick & Easy Self-Defense' Video Download

Learn how to escape the most common holds and chokes that criminals will use against you. These are simple moves that anyone can learn. If you don't want to be held, they won't be able to hold you.

Quick & Easy Self-Defense



samuri weapons

News About Samurai and Fans


Afro Samurai Character Renders and Bios
TeamXbox, CA - Nov 17, 2008
The game follows the plot of the original anime series with added material and background for fans and new comers alike. A striking cross-hatch art style ...


Ultimate Disney

Tropic Thunder: 2-Disc Director's Cut DVD Review
Ultimate Disney - 3 hours ago
(Cinematographer John Toll's prior credits include Braveheart, The Thin Red Line, and The Last Samurai.) The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack isn't as dynamic as on a ...


Bleacher Report

Mike Singletary Operates Quick Turnaround
Bleacher Report, CA - Nov 17, 2008
With Shaun Hill and "Samurai Mike" leading our team at the beginning of the year it may have been a different story. Now, the 49ers would have to win out to ...


Canoe.ca

Touring Tokyo samurai style
Canoe.ca, Canada - Nov 17, 2008
And -- after a recent visit to Tokyo -- should the Toronto Sun ever be invaded by samurai warriors, I'm ready to defend my fellow wordsmiths. ...


Don't fret sports fans, you will be represented in the White House
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 3, 2008
Let's hope that a guy we all know as "Samurai Mike" didn't go commando. 4. John Daly, the Larry the Cable Guy of golf, just did a night in jail, ...


Indianapolis Star

New DVDs: Nov. 11
Indianapolis Star, United States - Nov 11, 2008
The histories of Westerns and samurai flicks have long been entwined on film. Akira Kurosawa merged the spirit of the Wild West with Japanese history and ...
New DVD releases include 'Hellboy II' Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
all 2 news articles

samurai fans - Google News



Powered by WebRing.

Copyright © 2008 Samurai Weapons | Privacy Policy