Tekko

Okinawan metal knuckle guard

The tekko (鉄甲) is a metal knuckle guard from Okinawa and mainland Japan, consisting of a semicircular or D-shaped metal plate covering the back of the fist. Born from the Ryukyu Kingdom's weapons ban, it was one of several covert self-defense tools adapted from everyday implements by Okinawan martial artists. The tekko serves a dual purpose — protecting the knuckles from fracture during strikes while dramatically increasing punching power through its metal weight and hardness. Kata (forms) using tekko survive in karate and Ryukyu kobudo, demonstrating its role as a systematic martial training tool.