OKINAWAN WEAPONRY - "Kobudo" or weapons training is another integral part of martial arts training. It's vital in the Shorin-Ryu artist in the sense that they know how to defend them self armed or unarmed, 6 different weapons are studied.
Bo
A six-foot wooden staff. It resembles a long pole, but can be used in long-range self-defense situations. It is perhaps the earliest and most simple of all weapons. Humans have used the Bo since humans learned to use tools; a simple walking stick has made a most effective personal defense weapon. .
Nunchaku
Two short pieces of wood held together by a chain or rope. It is used by holding one piece of wood in one hand, while whipping the other piece around in a flailing motion. The Nunchaku originally was used as a flail to beat the husks off of soybeans by Okinawan farmers. The Nunchaku has evolved to a very effective means of personal defense.
Sai
A three-pronged metal weapon which resembles a large fork-shaped object. Usually used in pairs, it can be used to strike and spear an attacker. The Sai, or truncheon, was Okinawa's response to the Samurai, or other sword-bearing assailant. Used to trap or break the sword, they could also deliver a lightening fast counter attack to quickly end a confrontation.
Eku
A boat oar, which is handled similarly to the bo. This ancient tool used by Okinawan fishermen gained a reputation as a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled bearer. Although not as popular as the Bo, the Eku, or oar, has recently gained popularity in the martial arts community as a true symbol of Okinawan weaponry.
Kama
A sickle-shaped bladed weapon, also often used in pairs. They are held by their wooden handles and The Kama was used to cut grain, and without any major modification, has turned out to be one of the most feared and dangerous weapons of this ancient art. are still used to this day by Okinawan farmers to harvest grain crops.
Tonfa
A wooden weapon which is often used in pairs. They can be used to either strike with the butt of the weapon or swung to strike an attacker. The Tonfa was a piece of farm equipment used to operate a millstone while grinding grain. It's unique adaptability and effectiveness has led to it's modern day counterpart, used by law enforcement.
Supplementary Weapons
Sword
In modern times the most commonly known type of Japanese sword is the Shinogi-Zukuri katana, which is a single-edged and usually curved long sword traditionally worn by samurai from the 15th century onwards. Other types of Japanese swords include: tsurugi or ken, which is a double-edged sword; ōdachi, nodachi, tachi, which are older styles of a very long single-edged sword; wakizashi, a medium sized sword; and the tanto which is an even smaller knife sized sword . Although they are pole-mounted weapons, the naginata and yari are considered part of the nihontō family due to the methods by which they are forged.
In the Dojo we do sometimes study the basics of Kendo such as the striking positions: Men, Kote, Do, tsuki, etc. We do also study basic manipulation and katas with the sword.
San setsu kon
The Three-Sectional Staff, Triple Staff, Three-part Staff, Sansetsukon in Japanese, or originally Sanjiegun 截棍 is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staffs connected by metal rings or rope. The weapon is also known as a "coiling dragon staff," or in Chinese as a "pan long gun" (蟠龍棍). A more complicated version of the two section staff, the staves can be spun to gather momentum resulting in a powerful strike, or their articulation can be used to strike over or around a shield or other defensive block.
Timbei and Rochin
The Tinbe or Timbei is a shield and the Rochin is a short spear. The concept of the use of a shield and short or long spear is common to almost all fighting cultures around the world. The unique aspect associated with the Okinawan version is that the Tinbe (shield) made use of the shell of a turtle (large sea turtle) with a handle or straps fastened to the back to provide a hand grip on the shell. Other versions made use of a shield constructed of cane. Modern Tinbe are generally made of metal or fiberglass.
The Rochin was a short wooden shaft with a spear point or blade attached. Two renowned masters of the Tinbe and Rochin include Shinpo Matayoshi in Okinawa and Motokatsu Inoue in Japan. this art is not very widespread even in Okinawa today with its practice limited primarily to the major Kobudo organizations.
Kuwa
The hoe is common in all agrarian societies; in Okinawa, the kuwa has been also used as a weapon for as long as there have been farmers. Compared to garden-variety hoes, the handle tends to be thicker and usually shorter, both due to Okinawan stature, and the fact that much of the agriculture takes place on hillsides where long handles would be a hindrance. A classic shape of blade is a simple rectangle of steel with a sharp leading edge, but may also be forked with tines.
Escrima
We have studied Escrima in good detail learning the 12 points of attack and the twelve disarms that go with them. We've learned armed vs. unarmed techniques and partner exercises.