Sensei Dave Bolton
	Sensei Mark Wood

    

 

KOBUDO

 

 

 

 

Kobudo is the name used to refer to the ancient weapon arts of Okinawa and Japan.In 1429, when traditional weapons were confiscated by the Japanese military, Okinawan commoners gained a Interest in unarmed fighting arts.The okinawan people developed their farming tools into weapons that were very effective against the samurai. They used 5 systematized Weapons of Kobudo (Okinawan weapons) which include the Rokushaku Bo (6 foot staff), Tonfa (handle), Nunchaku (flail), Sai (truncheon) and Kama (scythe). Most Kobudo weapons were originally believed to be everyday tools or farming implements that were converted into practical and effective self-defense Weapons. The Oar and Okinawan Brass knuckles are just a couple more.

Kobudo has become very popular worldwide among practitioners of Martial Arts. One of the traditional Okinawan principles concerns the fact that kobudo is viewed as not only an art for self-defense, but also serves as a means of obtaining and maintaining inner peace.

 

Sai: Iron truncheon (+ Jutte, + Nunte) Again, the saï was a simple farm instrument which the peasants turned to their advantage. The Sai is believed to have originated from basically nothing more than a pitchfork. As a weapon, it was used in conjunction with various karate stances and techniques, and in defense against sword attacks. Usually, the saïs are used in pairs. A third saï was hidden in the obi (belt) and was used to replace one saï that was thrown at the charging enemy. If the throw was successful, the fight could be over all at once. If not, the distraction could be just enough to get close to stab with the saï or to counter an attack and win the battle.The efficient use of the weapon is much reliant on the dexterity of the practitioner with his thumbs, which the tang is balanced and rotated on along with the loosening and tightening of the grip from the small finger for striking and consolidating power. The early use of the weapon makes the user appear stiff and robotic but as the training advances the flow and unity with body movement becomes ever more apparent. Sai is the practice of "Shuto" in empty hand and emphasizes the need for "Koshi no Chikara" (Hip power) and "Suri Ashi" (sliding movement). The importance of body movement and good footwork is ever more apparent as the weapon is of a smaller classification than Bo. Advanced practitioners must learn to throw the Sai, a difficult requirement in view of the weight. The Sai explores the weakness of Bo, thus making Bo-jutsu stronger.

1.TSUKAGASHIRA - Butt End 2. TSUKA - Grip 3. MOTO - Wing Base 4. YOKU - Wing  5. TSUME - Wing Tip 6. MONOUCHI - Shaft 7. SAKI - Tip

 

 

Tonfa: Grinder handle (Tuifa, Tongua) Like other kobudo weapons, tonfa was used as a working tool, before being a weapon. The tonfa was an arm of a millstone for preparing grain, which could easily be removed. The main part of the tonfa, the shaft, consists of a large hardwood body, about 50 to 60 centimetres in length, and a smaller cylindrical grip secured at a 90 degrees angle to the shaft, about 15 centimetres from one end. The side of the Tonfa was used for blocking, and the ends for direct punches.The weapon is used in pairs   and is of wood, again red oak or white oak preferably in keeping with the Bo. The length of the weapon is also the same requirements as the Sai, about three centimeters past the elbow when gripped. The weight like the Bo is paramount to the efficient usage of the weapon. Too light and it lacks power in Kumite, too heavy and the techniques lack speed and become ponderous. Again like the Sai there are three grips, Honte-Mochi (Natural), Gyakute-Mochi (Reverse) and Tokushu-Mochi (Special grip). The latter is not commonly used but is very effective and relates strongly to the techniques of Kama. The usage is prevalent in the kata Yaraguwa. Tonfa is the practice of Uraken (back fist) and Hiji waza (elbow techniques) in open hand fighting. Good body movement like the Sai can make this weapon formidable, combining the speed it needs and generates along with the skilful footwork for evasion and attack. Although there are stories of Rice millstone grinding implements and horses bridles etc. as being the origins of this weapon, these are merely coincidental. The weapons origins can clearly be traced back to China and be found in Indonesia and surrounding geographical locations .

1. ZENTO - Front Head 2. E / NIGIRI - Handle / Grip  3. EGASHIRA - Handle Head  4. MONOUCHI ZOKO - Bottom  5. JOMEN - Top                                                                                                                 6. SOKUMEN - Side  7. KOTO - Rear Head 8. MONOUCHI - Main Body

Rokushaku Bo: (Kon) The Rokushaku bo (staff)(also called Kon in Okinawa), or stick is probably one of the first weapons that mankind used to defend or hunt. It could easily be found, was not to difficult to handle, and could be used for multiple purposes. In Okinawa, the bo probably originated from a farmtool called tenbin. It is a stick held across the shoulders, on which fish or waterbuckets could be hung. It could also be originated from walking sticks monks used to ease hiking and eventually defend themselves. The techniques executed with the bo, were probably developed very early in history, and were probably refined after the Heian Era (around 1127 AD). Its length is 6ft, or as is sometimes customary, cut to the height of the user. The wood used is usually Red Oak or White Oak and the Bo is tapered from the tip ends for better blocking and smoother usage. The weight is dependent on the wood used and is a critical factor for students, too heavy and the techniques become cumbersome, too light and there is not enough power. The weapon is classified as a synthetic one and attracts the greatest distance training between opponents. It magnifies the areas of development needed with empty hand and encourages Tai Sabaki/Yoko Sabaki at all times. The practitioner is taught to hold the weapon initially divisible by thirds and then openly encouraged to develop a more flexible holding style allowing full use of the weapons potential distance . . The most common Bo type today is round with tapered ends. Other types include round non-tapered, octagonal and square

1. KONTEI - End 2. CHUKON BU - Middle 3. KONTEI - End

 

Kama: Sickle (+ Kusarikama) The Kama is the only bladed weapon of the 5 systematized weapons.The kama was a tool used to cut weeds and bring in the crop.It was a very simple but very sharp and potentially deadly weapon.Its structure however made it very weak when attacked with heavy blows directly to the blade.Therefore,there has been a redesign of the weapon,which is called natagama.It is stronger in its construction,because the blade runs through past the curve of the normal kama and all the way down into the handle. This makes the cutting edge bigger and above all,the previous weak point where the sickle was attached to the stick has disappeared. The weight of the shaft is dependent upon the strength of the user and should be tapered to the butt end with increasing thickness. This allows for ease of catching and sliding when changing grip. The blade should add sufficient weight to ensure it is the heaviest point in the weapon. This also allows for ease of usage. The length of the weapon should extend to about 3cm passed the elbow when held in reverse grip. The handling of the weapon is the same as the Sai with the following grips, "Honte-Mochi" (Natural), "Gyakute-Mochi"(Reverse) and "Tokushu-Mochi"(Special grip). Kama is the practice of "Kuride" and "Kakede" (hooking and gripping) in open hand technique Often attaching a chain or rope to the base for greater reach. This longer weapon was known as a kusarigama.

1. SOKO - Bottom 2. NIGIRI - Grip 3. HA - Edge 4. KISSAKI - Tip 5. MUNE - Spine 6. KASHIRA - Head 7. HIMO - Rope

 

Nunchaku: Mace, two sectional staff, Horse bit As all other okinawan weaponry, the origin of this weapon is obscure. Some say it has a Chinese origin, others say it was developped from a horsebit, but it seems like it was used by peasant to beat the rice. It probably came into action somewhere in the 16th century, like saï, tonfa, etc. The nunchaku is made out of 2 sticks, usually some hard wood, and connected with a rope (it used to be a horse tail hair) or a chain. As the sticky vary in length, size and weight, so does the length of the connection between the two sticks. The nunchaku stick is normally as long as the forearm but it is up to your personnal favor to make it as long as you want. The sticks could be used for spearing or striking, and the horse hair rope could choke , block, or trap. The shafts vary from octagonal to round in shape and the weight is dependent on the strength of the user. Again too light and there is no power, and too heavy and the movement is slow and ponderous. Traditionally this weapon is not used in pairs, as the actions of the one should be sufficient. The grips are similar to that of the Sai in name, Honte-Mochi" (Natural), "Gyakute-Mochi"(Reverse) and Tokushu-Mochi"(Special grip). The special grip falls into "Ippon-Tsuki" (single thrust) and "Tatami-Tsuki" (folding thrust). Nunchaku belongs to the family of Bo and is known as the "portable Bo".

1. HIMO - Rope 2. KONTO - Top 3. ANA - Hole 4. JOKON BU - Upper Area 5. CHUKON BU - Middle Area 6. KIKON BU - Lower Area 7. KONTEI - Bottom

Eku: Oar or Ieku
The origin of this weapon was simple, peasants turned it to their advantage this was and still is today nothing more than a boat oar. It originated from the fishing boats and was used to eventually defend themselves. The Eku was very effective against the samurai warrior because of the distance they would be able to keep the samurai away from them. The techniques would involve a lot of kicking the blade of the eku while in the sand throwing the sand into to eyes of their opponent blinding them and then they would easily be able to beat the samurai. The Eku was also used the same way as the Bo. Good for blocking and striking and being at a safe distance from your attacker. and was used throughout the Ryukyu

Tekko Horse shoe
Tekko or Tecchu - essentially brass knuckles used for hand to hand fighting. Originally developed from a common horseshoe and modified, the Tekko can instantly be used for self-defence. Tekko are conveniently carried and can display considerable power to attack.Some were sharpened or had metal studs.The Tekko should be made to the width of the hand with anything between one and three protruding points on the knuckle front with protruding points at the top and the bottom of the knuckle. They can be made of any hard material but are predominately found in aluminium, iron, steel, or wood. The kumite focus on attacking the bony areas of the body such as the wrist, elbow, collar bone, ribs, and ankle. On impact this slows done the opponent drastically and allows for the quick changes of angle and height so apparent when studying Tekko. Gripping techniques prior to and at the time of "Zanshin"teach the exponent the emphasis on pressure points, which the Tekko takes great advantage of due to its structure. Muscle and bone have to succumb to its efficient design and usage. This weapon is undoubtedly not a farming implement and was clearly design for the purposes of combat.

Surujin: Weighted rope or chain (Manriki Kusari)

Found in two kinds, Tan Surujin (short) and Naga Surujin (long) the lengths are about 150-152 cm and 230-240 cm respectively. It is a weapon with the essence of concealment prior to use, which can extract a substantial price from the victim. Traditionally found with a bladed instrument at one end and a weighted end at the other, the Surujin techniques are very akin to those of the Nunchaku.
For kumite training the cord is usually made of leather allowing more speed and agility. Kata however tends to be demonstrated with a chain link Surujin to emphasize the potential in the weapon. The difficulty in usage is the control of the swing and the awareness of the length required in respect of the fighting distance. The hips need to be centrally fixed with a low center of gravity and the swing should be through the arm to the shoulder without moving the head. The recovery from the swing is dependent on the dexterity of the user, as it is critical to the final attack before the stab. Historically this weapon is very prevalent and can be found attached to a weapon or used separately. It is undoubtedly a weapon designed for warfare and not for agricultural usage.

 

 Photos By Liz Jones