Tekkō

"back of the hand hooks") is characterized by four iron nails like bear claws attached to a metal ring.

Third, the "tekko" resembled the "chize kun bo" but, rather than a rope, had a sharpened wooden extension of the stick, which fit between the first or second finger.

The tekko appeared in hardwood form, and as soft molded metal [2] so as to greater increase the mass of the hand.

The fourth stage, or "tek chu", allowed for increased function over its predecessors in that it "extended beyond the clenched fist",[2] "a distinct advancement in the evolution of fist-loaded weaponry".

[citation needed] "The use of the horseshoe appears to have originated when Bushi in Okinawa used the shoes of their horses as makeshift weapons to defend themselves against surprise attack.

This design provided greater hand mass, and defensive guard, but resulted in larger weapons, not easily concealed, and more difficult to learn.

For weapons application, would-be combatants sometimes enhanced the design by embedding additional bolts into the horseshoe shape, to inflict greater injury.

[citation needed] Other styles of tekko exhibit sharp protrusions at either end and three spikes representative of the position of the knuckles.

[citation needed] because many kobudo practitioners liken them to "brass knuckles", the possession of which the jurisdiction of many states prohibit as concealed weapons.

[citation needed] The tekko of Okinawan kobudo (weapons kata) can be used to grip, squeeze and impale various parts of the anatomy at close quarters.

[citation needed] The use of tekko remains an eclectic weapon used by select martial artists to practice discipline, and to express an ancient form of art.