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Metsubushi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Line drawing of a metsubushi

Metsubushi (Japanese: 目潰し, lit. "eye closers") or gantsubushi[1] are a variety of implements and techniques that were used in feudal Japan by samurai police and other individuals to temporarily or permanently blind or disorient an opponent.

Description

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One type of metsubushi was used by police for blowing powdered pepper or dust into the eyes of a suspect. It is described as being a lacquer or brass box with a wide mouthpiece for blowing on, and a hole or pipe on the other end for directing the powder into the eyes of the person being captured.[1] One type of metsubushi powder was made up of ashes, ground-up pepper, mud, flour, and dirt. For severe damage, it could also include fine-ground glass. It was kept in hollowed-out eggs (happō), bamboo tubes or other small containers. When confronted by an attacker, a person would blow the metsubushi in the attacker's eyes, blinding them.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan, Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook, Tuttle Publishing, 1991 P.323
  2. ^ Caldwell, Darryl (June 1985). "The Shadow Warrior: The Ninja Web". Black Belt. 23 (6). St. Louis, MO: Rainbow Publications Inc.: 15. ISSN 0277-3066.
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