Sasumata

The sasumata is also known as the "man catcher" due to its original purpose, which was to detain without causing any signif1cai1t damage. The weapon is a four-foot wooden shaft with a barbed crescent blade at the end. This end was used to trap an opponent against the ground or a wall without inflicting damage, assuming the target does not struggle. Magistrates and their deputies use the sasumata to detain drunken or disorderly samurai.