Jawara (weapons): description, history, features of application and reviews

Yawara is a weapon that was born in the Land of the Rising Sun centuries ago. Many of the creations of Japanese gunsmiths are well known to us on superhero movies and anime cartoons. Today, any boy knows what nunchakas, katana, shuriken are. But javara is so unlucky, and it is known only to narrow specialists. However, this weapon, combining unconditional reliability and ultimate simplicity, is definitely worthy of attention.

Our article will tell you about what a javar is, how to use it, what to do, and what security measures should be followed.

Different theories of origin

Yavara is a weapon with an ambiguous history. Specialists do not know exactly who and when they came up with a short wand clamped in the palm of his hand with sharpened ends for striking the enemy. Most likely, it all happened by chance, at the moment of danger, a man just grabbed something that fell under his arm. There are several versions, they all seem more or less believable, but the truth is probably hidden somewhere in the middle.

Some researchers suggest that the prototype of Yavara is the Vajra, the Buddhist symbol of faith. In form, these objects are similar (the vajra we see on the next photo in the hand of the deity).

In favor of this theory is also evidenced by the fact that the clergy were forbidden to have weapons. And the vajra was not considered a weapon. Perhaps the idea of a non-standard application of the religious attribute came to the mind of some desperate monk.

The second theory is more prosaic, but many seem more plausible. According to her, the precursor of Yavara was a usual pestle for grinding spices in a mortar. A similar thing was in every house.

The use of Yavara in the ancient world

Whatever it was, in the Far East, javara was widely spread. It was used not only in Japan, but also in China, Vietnam, Thailand.

Yavara is a weapon, which in ancient times was made mainly of wood. With this, by the way, another legend is connected. It says that every warrior tried to choose a tree whose spirit protects him. This was to increase the chances of survival in combat. In fact, everything is much simpler: metal in ancient Japan was expensive, ordinary people could not afford such a luxury. And the poor mostly used poor people. Although there are quite reliable information that this noiseless and simple-to-use weapon has also been favored by the ninjas. Why not believe in this version, if the yavara in skillful hands can really turn into a deadly weapon?

Distribution in medieval Europe

In the 17th century, among the European aristocracy, there was a real boom in outlandish weapons. The atmosphere of intrigues, secret conspiracies and secret communities contributed much to this. Rings with hidden spikes, twisting blades, and any other seemingly safe object that can be used as a weapon - all this was in great demand. On this wave the Japanese javara also gained popularity. But the fashion for this weapon was short-lived. Such distribution, as in the native East, the javara has not received anywhere in the world.

Yavara analogues in Russia

Something like this was in Russia. By analogy with the game "in chizha", a short stick, squeezed in a brush, was called a crook. There were other names: "bookmark", "scratch", "chushka."

It is easy to guess that such weapons attracted by the simplicity of manufacture, ease of application and quite good dissipating power. The impact of the fist with the clamped wood is stronger several times.

Yavara in Arms

If initially this weapon was distributed among peasants, artisans and small traders, then in the twentieth century it received the attention of the authorities.

The first to experiment with yavara began the American police in the 70s of last century. It was recommended to patrols to work in situations where the use of firearms is not advisable. Liked it and law enforcement officers working under cover, when neither the gun nor the cudgel could not be heard.

Initially, it was believed that javara is a weapon of self-defense. But during the application it turned out that in a skilful hand it can become a serious competitor to a club and even a knife.

What is kubotan?

Some believe that the cubotan is a kind of Yavara. In fact, this is not so.

Yavara and kubotan are weapons similar in appearance, and they are used almost for the same purpose. But it is necessary to distinguish them.

Kubotan was developed by the Grand Master of Martial Arts 10 Dan Kubota Takayuki not so long ago - in the 70s of the last century. Master created a non-lethal weapon ordered by the police department of Los Angeles. Kubotan is a weighted keychain, which has only one pointed end. It does not increase the power of the blow as much as the batter's brush protects. The weapon proved combat effectiveness, and therefore stands in the arsenal of many patrol units so far.

However, looking at the cubotan, it is easy to understand that the basis of development is an ancient java.

Fighting Techniques

The best results can be obtained by the simultaneous use of two such sticks, clamped in each hand one by one. During the battle with jaws, short sharp attacks, movements, and attacks on various levels of the body are used. A good fighter combines the blows of the hands and feet, works the body.

Some modern varieties of yavar have a convenient loop, in which the brush is passed, on some additional spikes are installed.

But the technique of work is one. The blows are applied as a direct fist, and from the top down, when the maximum force is on the pointed end.

If you are planning to purchase a javar for self-defense, remember: weapons do not make any sense, if it is in the hands of an inept person. It will not be of use, but will only anger the enemy. Yavara is a weapon that requires constant training and improvement of skill.

How to make a javar?

Even in antiquity, when a person had only the simplest tools like an ax and a knife, it was not difficult to give the required shape to the wood. What can we say about modern technology!

If you have basic skills of owning a Bulgarian, a grinder or even a penknife, you can easily cope with the task. As a preparation, any solid wood is suitable: oak, ash, walnut, birch. Coniferous trees are not suitable for making yawara, they are too fragile, and it's not easy to get rid of tar.

Clamp the workpiece in a fist, measure 2-3 cm on both sides. The thickness of the yavara is 2.5-4 cm on average. Whether to make a hilt is a choice - everyone, a smooth surface is more comfortable for many, but someone tends to the protector so that the weapon does not slide in the palm of your hand.

Yawara does not have to be made of wood. If you work with metal, have the necessary equipment and skills for welding, you can make even more formidable weapons. However, it should be remembered that its divisive power will be simply enormous and the application can bear a direct threat to life.

Aids instead of Yavars

In the world there are many types of martial arts, using weapons as weapons. Anyone who knows how to handle yavara can easily replace it with other objects. Almost the same action as the ancient Japanese weapons, has a clamped multi-stem or folding knife in the fist, a large battery, a flashlight, a hard material made of durable material, a wrench or a wrench, a piece of a branch and even a comb or a marker.

Yavara is a weapon whose main success depends on the skill of the fighter. It's not as important as the object in the fist looks like. Much more important is the ability to handle it.

Limits of self-defense

It may seem that javara is not a serious weapon, which is more necessary for image and status. But you can not joke with him. Remember: the use of Yavara for self-defense can even lead to death. Do not forget that if you have a goal to protect yourself, and not cripple or kill, then strikes with sharp ends in the solar plexus, groin, neck, eyes and whiskey is absolutely impossible.