Okay we will be training this weekend in Togakure Ryu and part of that training will be with the Kyoketsu Shoge.  The Kyoketsu Shoge is a flexible weapon that has a ring attached on one end and a wicked looking hook knife on the other. (see picture below)

Here is a Budo Taijutsu video of the Kusirigama (another flexible tool)  in action:

     So back in the day this would have been an unusual tool to say the least one that has reach and unpredictability written all over it.  Now a day’s you are probably not going to have a Kyoketsu Shoge with you when confronted.   However, you might have something that is also a flexible tool and that you can use in a similar manner.  Some examples might be the belt around your waist, coat, rope, hose, scarf, etc.  So the training is still very relevant in that the principles can be used just with a different tool.  Now if you were in a survival situation and you wanted a shoge like tool you could easily tie a knife to some rope and weight the end with some metal object.  This is very simple to do and I have rigged something up like this on several occasions to demonstrate to other practitioner’s in a matter of minutes.

     We will not always have a tool with us.  This is a fact.  I may not have my first choice of a firearm or my second of a knife on me.  However eighty percent of my awake  time I am wearing pants and a belt so I always have a flexible tool with me if needed.

     Flexible tools present problems for attackers in that they move in strange ways and lend themselves greatly to restraint and control.  I can speak from at least one instance where after arresting someone and handcuffing them that they continually tried to kick, run, etc. where I used a belt by the top of their knees to limit this motion.  Worked like a charm and limited what they could do which was basically yell obscenities.  Did not harm them and got the job done. 

Here is a nice flexible tool video from a small break off organization from the Bujinkan:

     You see a number of systems that use a scarf as a restraining controlling device.  In Penjak Silat you will see the sarong used in this manner as well.  In a pinch a t-shirt can be ripped off rolled up and used to evade and wrap and gain a control hold as well.

Here is a video of the late Pendakar Herman Suwanda (truly a great martial artist)

     Flexible tools are here to stay and if you are serious about your Martial Science then you need to explore them.

Flexible Tools Lead To A Flexible Mind!