Vajra

Vajra was a short iron staff with one to three prongs or blades on each end, evoking the image of a thunderbolt. It was believed thai the vajra was developed early in the Empire's history as a symbol of the Monks of Osano-Wo, the Fortune of Thunder. The prongs of a vajra could be used in an attempt to catch the blade of an enemy's sword and disarm him, similar to a sai or jitte.