The is a Japanese pole weapon

Pole weapon

A pole weapon or polearm is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is placed on the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, thereby extending the user's effective range. Spears, glaives, poleaxes, halberds, and bardiches are all varieties of polearms...

. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a T-shaped head. The head often has various metal spikes and barbs. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole, similar to the sodegarami

Sodegarami

The is a Japanese pole weapon used to entangle sleeves. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole,...

. It is one of the sandōgu, along with the sodegarami and the sasumata

Sasumata

The is a Japanese mancatcher and firefighting tool. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a U-shaped head. This head looks similar to a koto bridge, so it is sometimes called a kotojibō. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp...

used by police. It may have come from a type of Japanese rake.

History

Cunningham writes that the tsukubō may have originated from a type of rake used by farmers. Originally made of wood, the teeth were eventually covered with or made of metal so that they would last longer. It is likely that they were used by farmers as impromptu weapons when necessary.

Law enforcement in Edo used the tsukubō along with the sodegarami

Sodegarami

The is a Japanese pole weapon used to entangle sleeves. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole,...

(sleeve catcher) and sasumata

Sasumata

The is a Japanese mancatcher and firefighting tool. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a U-shaped head. This head looks similar to a koto bridge, so it is sometimes called a kotojibō. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp...

(a mancatcher) as the torimono sandōgu to restrain and arrest criminals. The tsukubō could be used to push, pull, or trip a suspect. Spikes and barbs would be affixed to prevent criminals from grasping the pole and wrestling the weapon from the police officers. These could also be used to help catch sleeves and clothing, similar to the sodegarami

Sodegarami

The is a Japanese pole weapon used to entangle sleeves. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole,...

. Some would have further projections on the head, improving its ability to entrap limbs and weapons, like a sasumata

Sasumata

The is a Japanese mancatcher and firefighting tool. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a U-shaped head. This head looks similar to a koto bridge, so it is sometimes called a kotojibō. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp...

. The opposite end of the weapon would often have a metal cap, or ishizuki like those found on naginata

Naginata

The naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...

and other pole weapons.

Cunningham also states that the tsukubō was also called teppa, hakan, gettetsuken, saburi, and hoko.