Tinbe-rochin
Also known as: tinbei
Okinawan pairing of the tinbe shield and the short rochin weapon, about as long as a forearm; it thrusts from below into the ribs, the armpit and the throat.
Quick Facts
JapanAbout the weapon
The tinbe-rochin combines a shield (tinbe, also spelled tinbei) with a short spear (rochin). It is one of the least known Okinawan weapons. When and where this pairing arose is something we have not been able to establish. The tinbe shield measures roughly 45 by 38 cm and was made of vine, reed, metal or turtle shell. The rochin is usually about as long as a forearm, and its shape varies widely: from spears through short swords to machete-like tools called seiryūtō. The shield is worked with circular motions to limit contact with the opponent's weapon. The rochin serves mainly for thrusting upward, into the ribs, armpit and throat; depending on the rochin type, cutting is also possible. The tinbe-rochin is one of the nine standard weapons of the Ryūkyū Kobudō Hozon Shinkōkai. Matayoshi kobudō practises the tinbei shield together with the short sword seiryūtō in the kata Timbei no Kata.