| Kawaji Toshiyoshi's Kendo Shinai | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
Kawaji Toshiyoshi |
|
Type |
Bamboo Practice Sword |
|
Effects |
Collects the main weapon of each opponent |
|
Downsides |
Sends them to unreliable subordinates and allies |
|
Activation |
Practice by a commanding officer |
|
Section |
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| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Kawaji Toshiyoshi (17 June 1834 – 13 October 1879) was a Japanese military general, politician, and samurai during the Meiji period. A Satsuma Domain samurai initially tasked to study foreign systems for application in the Japanese military, Kawaji fought against forces loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate during the Boshin War. Later, his work on setting up the Japanese police at the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration, first as rasotsu, and then as keisatsu, earned him the recognition as the founder of Japan's modern police system. Besides his police and military work, he was also noted for his contributions to the development of Kendo, a Japanese martial art.
In 1876, five years after a voluntary surrender of swords, the government banned the use of swords by the surviving samurai and initiated sword hunts. Meanwhile, in an attempt to standardize the sword styles (kenjutsu) used by policemen, Kawaji recruited swordsmen from various schools to come up with a unified swordsmanship style. This led to the rise of the Battotai (抜刀隊, lit. Drawn Sword Corps), which mainly featured sword-bearing policemen. However, it proved difficult to integrate all sword arts, which led to a compromise of ten practice moves (kata) for police training. Difficulties of integration notwithstanding, this integration effort led to the development of kendo, which remains in use to date.
In February 1877, British diplomat Ernest Mason Satow noted allegations which linked Kawaji and other high-ranking government officials with a planned assassination of retired samurai nobleman Saigō Takamori. What bolstered the credibility of this allegation was the leave of absence Kawaji had granted to a number of policemen, who proceeded to Kagoshima. The Satsuma Rebellion had already begun in response to the rumored assassination, much to Saigō's dismay, especially since he and Kawaji had been friends. On 19 February 1877, the Kumamoto Castle was attacked by around 20,000 samurai from the Satsuma Domain. By 23 June, Kawaji, this time promoted as lieutenant general, and his division, had already entered Kagoshima, Saigō's headquarters (around 170 kilometers south of Kumamoto).
Effects[]
Activates when a commanding officer or senior head uses it during practice. Gathers up the main weapons of every formal opponent they know, usually those in opposing organizations. Will collect their specialty weapon or whatever they arm themselves with if an all-arounder instead. Usually reroutes the collected weapons too allies that are too unreliable to be trusted with them. Often causes escalation in confrontations when literally placed in the wrong hands.