Kobudo
Intro:
"Kobudo" literally means "ancient martial ways". In the karate world, it generally
refers to those traditional Okinawan weapons whose history and practice has been
linked to that of karate.
Origin:
Okinawa.
Description:
Most Okinawan styles have at least some kobudo/kobujutsu curriculum. In addition,
there are at least two major Okinawan organizations whose primary focus is these
weapons arts: the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko-kai and the Okinawa Kobudo Renmei.
In the US there is 'Okinawa Kobudo Association, USA'; the shihan in the US is
in Citrus Heights, CA. There may be other US Kobudo organizations.
Weapons:
The most common kobudo weapons (and the ones most often taught by Okinawan
karate systems) are:
- Bo - staff, usually a rokushakubo or "six foot staff", although 4,
9, and 12 foot staffs are also used.
- Sai - three-tined iron clubs, usually carried as a set of 3.
- Nunchaku - two short tapered wooden clubs, connected at the narrow
ends by a short rope or chain (a flail, as well as other uses).
- Kama - a sickle, used singly or in pairs;
- Tuifa/tonfa - a club with a hand-length perpendicular handle, the
ancestor to the police PR-24; usually used in pairs.
Less common weapons are:
- Koa - a hoe.
- Eku - a boat oar.
- Tekko - essentially brass knuckles.
- Shuchu - a small kubotan-like thing about 5" long.
- San-setsu-kon - the 3-section staff.
- Surujin/suruchen - a weighted chain with a spike or blade on one
end - similar to the Chinese chain whip or the Japanese manrikigusari;
- Tinbe - actually, this is two weapons...the tinbe itself, which is
a small shield traditionally made of the shell of a sea tortoise, and the rochin,
which is a short spear with a cutting blade - the weapon actually resembles
a Zulu spear more than anything else.
- Kusarikama - a kama on the end of a rope or chain.
- Nunti - a short spear.
and a few other oddball implements of mayhem including spears and the occasional
pilfered Japanese sword ;-).
(Contributors: Steve Gombosi, John Simutis)
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