Yavara is a weapon that was born in the Land of the Rising Sun many centuries ago. Many of the creations of Japanese gunsmiths are well known to us from superhero films and anime cartoons. Any boy knows today what Nunchaku, Katana, Shuriken are. But Java was not so lucky, and it is known only to narrow specialists. However, this weapon, combining unconditional reliability and utmost simplicity, is definitely worthy of attention.
Our article will tell you what Java is, how to use it, what to make of it, and what safety measures should be followed.
Different theories of origin
Yavara is a weapon with a mixed history. Experts do not know exactly who and when came up with the use of a short wand with pointed ends clamped in the palm of your hand to strike the enemy. Most likely, this generally happened by accident, at the time of danger a person simply grabbed what came to hand. There are several versions, they all seem more or less believable, but the truth is probably hidden somewhere in the middle.
Some scholars have suggested that the prototype of javara is vajra, a Buddhist creed. These objects are similar in shape (we see the vajra in the next photo in the hand of a deity).
This theory is also supported by the fact that priests were forbidden to have weapons. And the vajra was not considered a weapon. Perhaps the thought of the non-standard use of a religious attribute occurred to some desperate monk.
The second theory is more prosaic, but to many it seems more believable. According to her, the forerunner of Java was the usual pestle for grinding spices in a mortar. A similar thing was in every home.
Using Java in the Ancient World
Be that as it may, in the Far East, Java has become widespread. It was used not only in Japan, but also in China, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Yavara is a weapon that in ancient times was made mainly of wood. By the way, one more legend is connected with this. It says that every warrior tried to choose a tree whose spirit protects him. This was supposed to increase the chances of survival in battle. In fact, everything is much simpler: metal in ancient Japan was expensive, ordinary people could not afford such a luxury. And the poor used mostly javars. Although there is quite reliable information about the fact that this silent and easy-to-use weapon was eventually chosen by the ninja as well. Why not believe in this version, if jawar in skillful hands can really turn into a deadly weapon?
Spread in medieval Europe
In the 17th century, among the European aristocracy there was a real boom in outlandish weapons. The atmosphere of intrigue, secret conspiracies and secret communities contributed to this a lot. Rings with hidden spikes, twisting blades, and any other seemingly safe item that can be used as a weapon - all this was in great demand. On this wave, Japanese jawar also gained popularity. But the fashion for these weapons was short-lived. Such a distribution, as in the native East, Java has not received anywhere in the world.
Analogs of Java in Russia
Something similar was in Russia. By analogy with the game "in the siskin", a short stick, sandwiched in a brush, was called a siskin. There were other names: “bookmark”, “scratch”, “ingot”.
It is easy to guess that such a weapon attracted by its simplicity of manufacture, ease of use and quite good striking force. A fist blow with a squeezed piece of wood is several times stronger.
Yavar is in service
If initially this weapon was distributed among peasants, artisans and small traders, in the 20th century it received the attention of representatives of the authorities.
American police were the first to experiment with Java in the 70s of the last century. It was recommended for patrols to work in situations where the use of firearms is not advisable. The law enforcement officers working undercover also chose it, when there was no question of either a pistol or a baton.
Initially, Yawara was considered a weapon of self-defense. But during the application it turned out that in a skilled hand she could become a serious competitor to a baton and even a knife.
What is a kubotan?
Some say kubotan is a form of javara. This is actually not the case.
Yavara and Kubotan are weapons similar in appearance, and they are used for almost the same purpose. But they should be distinguished.
Kubotan was developed by the grand master of martial arts 10th dan Kubota Takayuki not so long ago - in the 70s of the past century. The master created a non-lethal weapon commissioned by the Los Angeles Police Department. Kubotan is a weighted keychain that has only one pointed end. It does not enhance the power of the blow as much as it protects the batter’s brush. The weapon proved combat effectiveness, and therefore is still in service with many patrol units.
However, looking at the kubotan, it is easy to understand that the development is based on the old jawar.
Combat technique
The best results can be obtained by the simultaneous use of two such sticks, clamped in each hand, one at a time. During the battle with jawars, short sharp lunges, displacements, blows at different levels of the body are used. A good fighter combines blows of arms and legs, works as a body.
Some modern varieties of jawar have a convenient eyelet into which the brush is threaded, additional spikes are installed on some.
But the technique is the same. The blows are applied both with a straight fist and from top to bottom, when the maximum force falls on the pointed end.
If you plan to purchase a self-defense checker, remember: a weapon makes no sense if it is in the hands of an inept person. It will not bring benefits, but only anger the enemy. Yavara is a weapon that requires constant training and improvement of skill.
How to make javara?
Even in ancient times, when a person had only the simplest tools, such as an ax and a knife, it was not difficult to give a piece of wood the desired shape. What can we say about modern technology!
If you have the basic skills of owning a grinder, grinder or even a penknife, you can easily cope with the task. Any durable wood is suitable as a blank: oak, ash, walnut, birch. Coniferous trees are not suitable for the manufacture of syrup, they are too fragile, and it is not easy to get rid of the resin.
Clamp the workpiece in a fist, measure 2-3 cm on both sides. The thickness of the yavar is on average 2.5-4 cm. Whether to make the handle embossed is everyone’s choice, many prefer a smooth surface, but someone is leaning toward the tread so that the weapon does not slip in the palm of your hand.
Yavar 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 overwhelming power will be huge and its use can pose a direct threat to life.
Handy tools instead of javara
There are many types of martial arts in the world that use improvised items as weapons. Anyone who knows how to handle Java is not difficult to replace it with other objects. The multitool or a folding knife, a large battery, a flashlight, a case made of durable material, a wrench or adjustable wrench, a piece of a branch and even a comb or marker have almost the same effect as ancient Japanese weapons.
Yavara is a weapon, the main success of which depends on the skill of the fighter. It doesn’t matter how the object held in a fist looks. Much more important is the ability to handle him.
The limits of self-defense
It may seem that Yawara is a frivolous weapon that is more needed for image and status. But you can’t joke with him. Remember: using javara for self-defense can even be fatal. Do not forget that if the goal is to defend yourself, and not to cripple or kill, then it is absolutely impossible to strike with sharp ends in the solar plexus, groin, neck, eyes and temples.