Cane
as a weapon
BY
Sensei
Evan Roberts 3rd Dan
The cane was first used in the late 1700’s and early
1800’s. Used mainly as a support for an
injured or incapacitated person, it was soon found to be an excellent self
defence weapon as well. It was highly
considered weapon because it was legal to carry anywhere.
There have been a few books written about cane defence
around the turn of the 19th century and I write about two of the
masters.
Bartitsu also included boxing as a hitting medium,
kicking as an offensive and defensive sense and the cane was used as a means of
self defence.
By combining traditional boxing, French savate, (a form of boxing in which stiff-legged kicks as
well as punches may be used) stick fighting and Japanese Jujitsu, Barton-Wright established himself as a pioneer of
self defence training.
It must be understood that the new art of self defence
with a walking stick, differs essentially from a single stick or a sword for
what is said, “that a man may be a
master at a sword, but not be able to use a walking stick effectively”.
This was because of there being no hilt on a
cane. Therefore it was necessary to
devise a system so that you can guard a blow in such a way as to slide it away
from your hand instead of toward
yourself reducing the risk of finger damage and being disarmed.
The walking stick is held in one hand with the thumb
overlapping the fingers and not as with a single stick with the thumb resting
on the stick. The stick is therefore
manipulated with the wrist and the blows are given by swinging the body on the hips.
The use of a cane correctly has to be studied and
practiced to obtain a better understanding of how lethal it can be. Things such
as stance, distance, forethought as to what your opponent or opponents have at
their disposal, range, timing, size of your opponent, whether they are large,
thin, tall or short. Also how light or
supple you are on your feet would be a great advantage.
You can achieve a lot by use of deception; make them
think that you are offering them a target and retracting it quickly as they
strike. Things such as a head, arm or leg strike, then you take the upper hand
by drawing them in and taking them out.
You can also entice you opponent into thinking that
you are going to deliver a certain blow and then by placing yourself in a
better position, guard it and then deliver a counter strike by taking out their
leg which would put them on the ground and at your advantage.
Evasion by you would be a great asset as well. This could be done by movements of your head,
stomach or simply by turning your body sideways (Tai sabaki).
When using your cane also use your hands or fists as
well by both blocking with the cane
and then following through with a strike with your fingers, palm, knuckles or
edge of hand (shuto).
Some variations of cane defence - these defences are
against a person with or without a weapon:
1.
There is the defence against a person, who uses their
feet for a weapon, (a karateka or savater).
The use of double hand, or simple tai sabaki and then follow through
with a strike to their leg or ankle to disarm or incapacitate them.
2.
There is also the possibility of close quarter
contact. You should hold the cane in both hands and simply thrust forward with
both hands to head, stomach or legs and do a side movement using hook end so
the impact of the hook would be like thrusting with the end of the cane and
taking them out.
3.
In the same close encounter, you can also slip the
cane between their legs, grab each end and lift straight up injuring or
incapacitating them that way.
4.
You can also use a cane well within a crowd, by
lunging out at the closest person and disabling them, causing them to retreat
backwards, and hopefully forcing those close to him to move away, giving you
more space. If someone is behind you,
you can thrust the cane backwards also forcing them to move backwards and
giving you more room. You would then
take note of all your opponents and hopefully make them all disperse.
The other well known cane self defence person is Andrew Chase Cunningham. He first published a book called “The Cane as a Weapon” in 1912. Although very similar to Barton-Wright, he
was from
He refers to his unique style in several respects. Of the three basic guard positions he
advocates, is that two of them involve
holding the cane with the tip facing the ground which make the cane look as
though it is in a non-threatening position, which also makes it hard for an
attacker to grab hold of it, this also exposes the opponent to attack.
The third basic guard position referred to as the
double handed guard; using this, gives strength of attack by use of both hands
as a strike or parry. He also refers to
close hand grab where both ends can be utilised without changing hand
positions. These are described as close
range stabbing blow or jabbing thrusts.
Cunningham also frequently refers to practice with
both hands so that you can change from hand to hand during your defensive
manoeuvres.
People in modern days are taught to feel uncomfortable
when someone else gets too close. When
you have a cane or even an umbrella,(when it comes to using it in self defence)
the first strike, which is usually to the wrist, head or leg would surprise any
attacker by how effective this weapon can be.
It is also suggested that these weapons are more efficient than most
forms of self defence.
Tai Shi Kai Wado-Ryu Australia has within
its teachings, included cane defence. We
are enjoying the many ways to use this versatile weapon. I am currently, with the supervision of our
Shihan, adapting a number of different defences using the cane and hoping to
build many techniques to teach to all fellow students of Tai Shi Kai.
Reference: Barton-Wright
“self defence with a walking stick” 1901.
“The
Bartitsu Society”, Barton-Wright 1899.
“The
Cane as a Weapon”, A.C. Cunningham 1912
