What is tessen?

Tessen is a traditional Japanese war fan that was used by samurai warriors as a defensive weapon. It is made of metal or wood with either folding or solid blades radiating from one end, usually made of iron or steel. Tessen could be used both as a fan to cool oneself in hot weather and as a concealed weapon in combat.

The tessen was favored by samurai as it was easy to conceal and could be carried openly without drawing suspicion. In addition to its defensive capabilities, the tessen could also be used to strike or distract opponents, as well as to parry attacks.

Training in the use of the tessen was an important part of samurai martial arts, and practitioners were skilled in using the weapon effectively in combat. Tessenjutsu, the art of using the tessen, is still practiced today in various martial arts schools in Japan and around the world.

Overall, the tessen was an important and versatile weapon in the arsenal of the samurai, offering both practical utility and lethal potential in combat.