more info from my vendor in japan: (confirming timo's post above)
Quote:
A jitte (十手, literally "ten hands") is a specialized weapon that was used by police in Edo period Japan.
It is also spelled jutte.
In Edo period Japan the jitte was a substitute for a badge and represented someone on official business and was carried by all levels of police officers.
You can see it in Japanese historical play.
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interesting video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2oJVgCsn7M