Black Medicine Anthology

by N. Mashiro

  Fig. 12: The reverse roundhouse kick, delivered with the back of the heel, is one of the most unexpected karate attacks. It literally wraps around the opponent's body and strikes from behind.

  Fig. 13: This classic oriental weapon was originally a rice flail. The conversion of a farming tool to a weapon illustrates the essence of makeshift weaponry.

  The second half of the volume is devoted to a subject only one step removed from that of the body's natural weapons. This is the neglected topic of makeshift weapons. I call it a neglected topic because there has been very little effort made to refine our knowledge of makeshift weapons into a modern martial art. The most recent significant advances in this field are now over 100 years out of date.

  The last period of creative development in the field of makeshift weaponry occurred in Okinawa in the 1800's. Conquering Japanese armies confiscated all "weapons" from the local population, including the household cooking knives! In response the Okinawans developed their knowledge of hand-to-hand combat and the use of makeshift weapons to a high art. Their new knowledge made their hands and feet very powerful, and their innocent-looking farming tools gradually began to serve double duty as surprisingly effective weapons. (This was a classic case of ploughshares forged into swords!) To this period of adversity we owe the development of modern karate and the development of several exotic oriental "weapons."

  The best example of an oriental makeshift weapon is the nunchaku. This is a pair of wooden sticks, each about a foot long, which are joined at one end by a short length of chain or cord to form a formidable wooden whip orflail. (See Figure 13.) The nunchaku does terrible damage to an opponent, and has become popular in karate movies where the hero deftly pulls a nunchaku from his sleeve and uses it to defeat an army of attackers.

  The nunchaku is a makeshift weapon. It is really an Okinawan rice-threshing flail, used to beat the grains of rice loose from the stalks on the threshing floor. The Japanese soldiers did not confiscate these threshing flails as weapons because they regarded them as harmless farming tools. The same situation applied to the sai, a short pitchfork used for handling bales of rice. It too became a very effective weapon, especially against sword-wielding soldiers.

  Today, on the streets of many American cities, it is a felony to be found in possession of these oriental "weapons." The reason is simple. In modern America it is difficult to justify having a rice flail under one's coat for any purpose other than hitting people. The same can be said of carrying the pitchfork-like sai, the yawara stick (a former holy-water vessel carried by monks) or any of several other formerly useful makeshift weapons. These weapons were successful in their day because they were routinely at hand serving other purposes when trouble appeared. We would do well to emulate the ingenuity of the Okinawans and examine the perfectly legal objects we handle every day which might be developed into formidable weapons.

  Makeshift weapons are common household items which can be used or converted into weapons on the spur of the moment. These objects are not normally thought of as weapons, and as such are usually available to a hostage or kidnap victim. Many of them can be placed near a door to repel an unwanted intruder, and others can be inconspicuously (and legally) carried about the person. The following list covers more than 180 such items, but should not be considered complete. The objects which can be used as makeshift weapons are limited only by the user's fighting skill and imagination. (See Figure 14.)

  Alarm Clock: Any small appliance like an electric alarm clock can be swung by its power cord in imitation of a medieval mace-and-chain. Strike at the head and face, or let the cord wrap itself around the opponent's defending arm like a South American bola, then pull him off balance and follow through with a fist or foot attack.

  Ashes: Wood ashes from a fireplace, or especially cigarette ashes from an ashtray. Throw a handful of white, powdery ashes into the opponent's face to blind and choke him.

  Ashtray: Many of the large glass or ceramic ashtrays make heavy clubs. After throwing the ashes in his face, grasp the ashtray like a frisbee and hit him in the temple with the edge or corner.

  Auto Antenna: An auto AM radio antenna can be broken off at the base, telescoped down to a compact size, and concealed in your waistband, trouser pocket or sock. In the compact form it can be used for stabbing at the eyes or gouging at nerve centers in the throat. Extended, the antenna can still be used in a surprise lunge at the eyes as well as being employed as a rapier-like whip. (Slash at the face.)

  Fig. 14: In the right hands almost anything can be a weapon. This picture shows a selection of more than 180 makeshift weapons discussed in the following pages. Everything in the picture can be used to injure or kill when used correctly.

  Axe: Remember Lizzie Borden? The edge of the axe is most effective if applied to the side of the skull, the back of the skull, the backbone just above the hips, and the area of the solar plexus. For the solar plexus attack try to catch the opponent as he is just entering the room. Stand beside the door and swing the axe horizontally like a baseball bat. That way the axe head will slip between the ribs on its way into the chest.

  Axe Handle: A very convenient club, but best used for spearlike lunges with the end. The handle is actually a more versatile and handier weapon than the whole axe, so if you have time remove the axe head before using.

  Bar of Soap: Sooner or later your captors will give you a bar of soap, if only to be relieved of the smell of you. Slip the soap inside your sock (or wrap it in a towel) and use it as a blackjack. Strike for the temple, for the mastoid process behind the ear, or for the collarbone. (See Figure 15.)

  Baseball: Ever wonder why batters wear helmets, and umpires encase themselves in padding? A baseball is a very handy, very hard object which can do a lot of damage if propelled with enough force. Use it as a bludgeon or missile.

  Baseball Bat: Used similarly to an axe handle, but the bat is heavier and slower. When fleeing from an attacker a very effective use of the bat is to sling it, spinning horizontally along the ground, into the attacker's legs. He will have a hard time avoiding a disabling shin injury. (Note: It is usually better notto throw away your weapon as a general policy.)

  Basting Syringe: Who says that the terrorists won't come after you on Thanksgiving? A squirt of searing grease in the face from a basting syringe could bejustthething. The basting syringes with attached hypodermic needles can be used for injecting air or poison (drain cleaner and water) into the opponent's body. Air bubbles in an artery can be fatal.

  Bath Towel: A bath towel can be used as a whip (visit any locker room and see for yourself), as a garrote, and as the handle for a soap blackjack. Tie the bar of soap in one corner of the towel and start swinging. Another possibility would be to fold the towel in half across its width and use it as a sling. Dump a can of hot pepper in the towel and sling the powder into your opponent's face.

  Fig. 15: If your captors allow you to wash your hands you will have access to all the materials you need for a soap-and-towel blackjack.

  Baton: Is your daughter a cheerleader? Buy her a new baton after you rap the old one around the intruder's ears.

  Beer Can: Shake it up a little and let it squirt into the captor's face as you pop the top. Then as he wipes his eyes you can dent the side of his skull with the bottom edge of the can. The cylindrical shape makes this edge surprisingly strong and hard even though the can itself is relatively flimsy. You can also crush the center of the can, bend it back and forth, and finally break it in two pieces. Grip one in each hand and smash the ragged edges into the bad guy's eyes.

  Beer Mug: A heavy glass mug. When the local bully starts to push you around in the bar, you can propose a toast in his honor. Hold your mug aloft in salute, dump the beer on his head, and break his collarbone with the heavy glass base of the mug. The mug can also be used against the jaw and the bridge of the nose.

  Belt: A belt is normally used as a whip or flail, frequently with the buckle swinging at the free end. It can also be used to strangle, or to tie u
p a prisoner. As a last resort, you can hang yourself with it.

  Bicycle: If someone tries to abduct or rob you while you are cycling, you should realize that your bicycle itself is a powerful weapon. Just pick it up by the center of the handlebarsand the back of the seat. Turn rapidly through one full turn to build up momentum and fling it, sprocket first, right in his face. A bicycle is an angular, hard, sharp, heavy object to see coming at you through midair. No one can be hit by one without suffering several injuries. (See Figure 16.)

  Bicycle Chain: A bike chain is an old street fighter standby, because it is light, easy to conceal, blindingly fast in use, and produces vicious superficial wounds.

  Bicycle Pump: Mount a tubular bicycle pump on the frame of the bike beneath the seat. Then if you see trouble ahead you can casually reach down and unfasten this excellent substitute for a police baton. And no one can accuse you of carrying it to use as a weapon! A bike has to have a pump, right? (See Figure 17.) If you are improvising and have some time to spare, pour some powdered cleanser or bleach into the pump. Then blow the chemicals into the opponent's face prior to hitting him.

  Bleach: A cup of Clorox in the face does wonders to a person's ability to defend himself. When his hands fly up to his eyes you can kick him in a tender place.

  Fig. 16: A bicycle is both weapon and shield ... a dangerous combination for any attacker to face. And while his eyes are on the upraised bike, you can easily kick him in the crotch.

  Fig. 17: A bicycle pump makes a handy nightstick when necessary.

  Boiling Water: In the form of coffee, tea or soup. Slosh about a quart of it in the attacker's face or hands, then hit him over the head with the coffee pot (or soup pan).

  Blender: When my editor first read over this manuscript he jokingly remarked that the only thing missing was the kitchen blender! "Stuff the kidnapper into the blender," he fantasized, "and set it for ' liquidate.' " After that remark I took a closer look at my blender, and found that the bottom of the blending chamber unscrews for cleaning the blades. The blade unit makes a nice, handy, "tiger paw" which would be very useful for slashing at an opponent's face.

  Bones: Remember Samson and the jawbone of the ass? A soup bone can be a mighty club if necessary. If you have a whole skeleton to choose from (such as a horse skeleton) use the upper long bone of the foreleg, the humerus. Grasp the rounded shoulder end and strike with the knobby elbow end. The preferred weapon of our pre-human ancestors was an antelope humerus, but anyone you hit will probably fail to see the humer.

  Books: Large, flat books make pretty effective shields against knife and fist attacks. Hold the book in both hands with the flat side facing the opponent. Alternately, a smaller book can be used to strike punishing blows at an attacker's arms, neck, collarbone and face. You can even gouge his eyes with the corners of the book. (See Figure 18.)

  Boots: Especially pointed, high-heeled cowboy boots. The pointed toes give great penetration to toe kicks, and the heels do the same for kicks using the bottom of the foot. I was once in a karate demonstration where I played the bad guy who got stomped in the stomach by the cowboy in the white hat. His heels were a little longer than he thought. It made for a very realistic demonstration.

  Bottle: A soft drink bottle is very strong, and can be used to stab or club an opponent. A thin-walled wine bottle is more useful when the base is shattered. Grasp it by the neck and stab or slash with the jagged broken end. Broken glass is the sharpest edge known to man.

  Bowie Knife: A heavy bladed, hook-nose hunting knife. There is a whole school of knife fighting associated with these knives, characterized more by axe-like chopping than by slashing or stabbing. See Styers' Cold Steel for further information (available from Paladin Press).

  Broom: The handle of a standard sweeping broom is good for bayonet-like thrusts to the solar plexus and throat, and for deflecting incoming punches or knife attacks. The dusty straw end is very effective when jammed into a person's face. The stiff straws find their way into his mouth, nose and eyes all at once. To make that special impression, set fire to the straw first. (See Figure 19.)

  Fig. 18: A simple book can make a surprisingly effective shield against a knife attack.

  Buckle: A star-shaped belt buckle about 3 inches in diameter is deadly when swung at the end of a belt. Buckles can also be used when detached from the belt as knuckle dusters, or clenched in the fist to provide a hard edge for gouging. The Bowen belt buckle knife is outstanding for this kind of thing. It is a sheath knife disguised as a belt buckle.

  Cabinet Door: An open cabinet door represents several possibilities for a sudden attack on a captor or guard. If he opens a cabinet and looks inside, slam the door hard against the back of his head. If he sticks his hand inside, slam the door on his fingers or wrist. Of course you can also slam a cabinet door open if you are looking inside the cabinet and the guard is standing next to you. If you are left alone in a room with wooden cabinets, wrench or kick a door off its hinges, split it by angling it against the wall and stomping on it, and use the resulting slats of wood as clubs.

  Fig. 19: A broom is one of the most formidable household weapons. Not only does the handle possess all the qualities of a staff, but the dusty straws cause instant blindness when rammed into the eyes.

  Calculator: Many hand-held calculators are small enough to be grasped tightly in the fist and used to attack an intruder. Use the corner of the calculator in a vicious blow against the temple for maximum effect.

  Camera: Nobody in his right mind would ruin a good camera by striking someone with it, right? So, be a little crazy and surprise the hell out of the bastard. Depending on the model, a camera can be opened up and used as a hinged flail or as a simple "blunt object." Detach the lens and use it to hammer on the other guy's head. If the camera has a built-in flash be su re to fire it in his eyes at close range before attacking.

  Candle: A thick candle about ten inches long makes an effective short club. Imagine being locked up for the night in a basement cell with only a straw pallet and a smoky candle for company. Set the straw on fire, shout "Help! Fire!" and brain the guard with the hard, lower end of the candle when he gropes his way into the smoke-filled cell. Alternately, you can ram the lighted end into his face and let him concentrate on hot wax while you duck out the door.

  Cane: The kind with a curved, hook-like handle. Aside from rapping the bad guy on the skull, a cane is useful for hooking ankles (and necks), and for sharp little movements such as snapping the tip of the cane up into the opponent's genitals. This attack requires only a wrist motion and is almost impossible to anticipate or block.

  Can Opener: The hand-powered kind with the sharp tine on the end. Excellent for striking into the eyes and face.

  Car: The use of an automobile as a moving weapon is common in TV gangster movies. If the gangsters try to pull you over on the street you can use the same approach. If they are in a car you can sideswipe them and run them off the road. If they are on foot ....

  Car Door: A car door presents possibilities similar to a cabinet door. If you are in the car you can thrust the door open violently with your feet, hitting your attacker in the shins. If you are the party on the sidewalk, let the adversary open the door and put one foot on the pavement. Then kick the door shut again. (See Figure 20.)

  Car Window Handle: If you are abducted and thrown in the back seat of a car you may fi nd that your captors have thoughtfully removed the door handles to hinder your efforts at escape. The window cranks may still be there, however. If you get the opportunity, you may feel the urge to pull the window handle free from the door and drive it solidly into the driver's head about an inch in front of his ear.

  Fig. 20: When an angry driver tries to pull you from your car, use the door for a crippling opening move.

  Cartridges: In those thrilling days of yesteryear the Lone Ranger used to toss a few .44 cartridges into the rustlers' fi re to create a diversion. Some of the larger rifle cartridges are big enough to be used like daggers to stab at t
he eyes and throat. Three inch magnum shotshells are heavy enough to use as bludgeons when clenched in the fist. (Be sure to hit with the crimped end . . . not the primer!)

  Fig. 21: We do not normally think of a cat as an ally in a fight, but a cat as a projectile can be a ferocious thing. Aim tabby at the opponent's face and follow through with a kick to his groin.

  Casement Window: Slam it shut on the opponent's head or hand. This might not sound too easy because of the difficulty of getting him to oblige by sticking his head in the window, right? Well, what if the opponent is a burglar trying to crawl in? Slam!

  Cat: Have you ever had some inconsiderate person throw a frightened cat at your face? Twenty needle-sharp claws all try to fasten themselves in your skin at once. Even the most battlehardened warrior is put off his stride by this attack. (See Figure 21.)

  CB Microphone: Hold it by the plug and swing the mike like a flail or mace-and-chain. Alternately, you can use the cord as a garrote or to secure a prisoner. But try out the radio first. You might be able to call for help. (See Figure 22.)

  Chain: Such as a six-foot length of 3/8 inch case-hardened chain for locking up a bicycle. It takes two hands to swing it, and when it hits, every link does damage. It is a little-known fact that when a chain wraps itself around someone's head the free end moves faster and faster as it becomes shorter. Those last few heavy links really have an impact.

  Chainsaw: Chainsaws are dangerous even when used just for cutting wood. A running chainsaw is a weapon no one can stand up to without a gun. Even the noise has an intimidating effect. A chainsaw isn't quite as effective when it is turned off, but in desperate hands it can still inflict some very ugly wounds. Lastly, by removing the chain itself, you can arm yourself with what amounts to a toothy bicycle chain. (See Figure 23.)