Ishi sashi
石錠
Hojo undo tool: a hand weight shaped like a padlock, traditionally made of stone. It comes from China, where it is called shisuo.
Quick Facts
Term typeEquipment and training aids
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[ee-shee sah-shee]
Alternative Namesstone lock
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)いしさし
Hepburn romanizationishi sashi
Word breakdown
石ishistone
錠sashilock
Definition
Ishi sashi (石錠) means “stone lock”. It is a hand weight shaped like an old padlock with a handle, traditionally carved from stone. It reached Okinawa from China, where the same tool is called shisuo (石锁). In Okinawan hojo undo, the ishi sashi is held in the hand and used for strikes, blocks and transitions between stances, to strengthen the grip, wrists and arms. It is one of the tools practised in Goju-ryu together with chi ishi and nigiri game.