~~Thank you all, especially Peter G. My first Jujitsu teacher told me that yawara was--as he put it--the name of Jujitsu (basic grappling, joint manipulation, etc.) before it was called that, in ancient Japan.
~~But has anyone heard of this small, sticklike weapon held in the palm of the hand and used for striking, pressure points and locking?
Thank you all for your time and interest.