See our full range of martial arts weapons
Kobudo expert Tadashi Tamashita once stated, Okinawan Karate and weapons are like brother and sister. They complement each other." Not only do traditional weapons offer a degree of variety in training, but from a physical standpoint training with traditional weapons develops physical conditioning, which has spurned a kobudo revival in recent years. Almost all written documents about the development of Okinawan Kobudo were destroyed during the Second World War. However research indicates that in the 12th century, regional lords called aji emerged and exerted power from their fortified manors called gusuku. Soon power was divided among three small kingdoms in 1326, which led to a lot of internal and continuous warfare until 1429- This was the best period to develop and perfect martial arts combat techniques. In 1429, Sho Hashi united the island and founded the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. During the 14th to 16th centuries, a period known as the ''Golden Age of Trade", the Kingdom flourished as a trade center for China and other nations. However, trade vessels were constantly threatened by Japanese pirates and the Okinawa sailors needed to protect themselves while in foreign lands. Around 1580, Toyotomi Hideyoshi stated laws again that prohibited the possession or the carrying of weapons, in order to restore peace and bring some sort of prosperity to a resource poor Ryukyuan kingdom. It helped to prevent unnecessary loss of life among the people and was a deterrent to insurrection and civil wars. But that left the peasants of Okinawa more or less defenseless against the Samurai, which were the only ones allowed to carry weapons. Although the empty hand techniques developed on the battlefields were very effective and refined, they were not so for use in massive defense or offense operations. In 1609, the Satsuma Samurai Clan attacked and swept the Okinawan defenses. The islanders used turtleshields and short stabbing daggers, but they were of very little use against horse backed, sword carrying samurai or bows. The only instruments the farmers had were their simple farming tools. The unique martial arts of Okinawan karate and kobudo were born from this background. Over long years, the techniques of Chinese and South East Asian martial arts were incorporated into Okinawa Karate and Kobudo to establish the forms known today. The Chinese methods were a combination of techniques with empty hands and with weapons like the San-Ku-Chu, ancestor of the Sai. Some Okinawan peasants who had to protect themselves against pillagers already used the stick techniques. Some new weapons were made using as example tools used from peasants, for instance the Nunchaku and the Tonfa or the Kama which was the unique tool with a metal part used at that time. Varied distinct styles emerged during the heyday of the Ryukyuan kingdom: Shuri-ti forms were centered in the Ryukyuan capital of Shuri, Naha-ti in the commercial center of Naha, and Tomari-ti in the Tomari district located between the first two. Each style had its distinguished masters who established the traditions preserved to our present day. The techniques of Karate and Kobudo were, by their nature, to be kept from the uninitiated. Thus, there are but few historical records and the arts were conveyed almost entirely through personal oral transmission from master to disciple. Since the invasion of the Satsuma Samurai Clan, Okinawa was ruled by a weak government under orders of the Shogun, until the upcoming of the Meiji restoration, halfway the 19th century where, following the dissolution of the kingdom and the 1879 annexation of Okinawa as a prefecture, new institutions came into effect and Karate and Kobudo were incorporated into the Meiji public education system. There followed a movement to present these arts to the general public: during the Taisho Era (circa 1910-1926), demonstrations were made throughout mainland Japan, and in the early Showa years (circa main schools - ryu): Shorin-ryu, Gojyu-ryu, Uechi-ryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. Today, there exist many more sub-schools (ryuha) and factions (kaiha). Each boasts its own distinctive kata derived from the basic movements (kihon kata) common to all schools as the systematization of techniques of attack and defense. Rigorous training over years cultivates both physical and spiritual strength. Thus these traditional arts contribute to building character, to fostering a sense of social responsibility, and to the healthy development of young bodies and minds. In offering the disciplines of both martial arts and sports, Okinawa karate and kobudo today give inspiration to people throughout the world. Following is a description of the main weapons which comprise Kobudo training.
Have you ever seen a
martial arts training device
like this before?
See our full range of martial arts weapons
Kobudo expert Tadashi Tamashita once stated, Okinawan Karate and weapons are like brother and sister. They complement each other." Not only do traditional weapons offer a degree of variety in training, but from a physical standpoint training with traditional weapons develops physical conditioning, which has spurned a kobudo revival in recent years. Almost all written documents about the development of Okinawan Kobudo were destroyed during the Second World War. However research indicates that in the 12th century, regional lords called aji emerged and exerted power from their fortified manors called gusuku. Soon power was divided among three small kingdoms in 1326, which led to a lot of internal and continuous warfare until 1429- This was the best period to develop and perfect martial arts combat techniques. In 1429, Sho Hashi united the island and founded the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. During the 14th to 16th centuries, a period known as the ''Golden Age of Trade", the Kingdom flourished as a trade center for China and other nations. However, trade vessels were constantly threatened by Japanese pirates and the Okinawa sailors needed to protect themselves while in foreign lands. Around 1580, Toyotomi Hideyoshi stated laws again that prohibited the possession or the carrying of weapons, in order to restore peace and bring some sort of prosperity to a resource poor Ryukyuan kingdom. It helped to prevent unnecessary loss of life among the people and was a deterrent to insurrection and civil wars. But that left the peasants of Okinawa more or less defenseless against the Samurai, which were the only ones allowed to carry weapons. Although the empty hand techniques developed on the battlefields were very effective and refined, they were not so for use in massive defense or offense operations. In 1609, the Satsuma Samurai Clan attacked and swept the Okinawan defenses. The islanders used turtleshields and short stabbing daggers, but they were of very little use against horse backed, sword carrying samurai or bows. The only instruments the farmers had were their simple farming tools. The unique martial arts of Okinawan karate and kobudo were born from this background. Over long years, the techniques of Chinese and South East Asian martial arts were incorporated into Okinawa Karate and Kobudo to establish the forms known today. The Chinese methods were a combination of techniques with empty hands and with weapons like the San-Ku-Chu, ancestor of the Sai. Some Okinawan peasants who had to protect themselves against pillagers already used the stick techniques. Some new weapons were made using as example tools used from peasants, for instance the Nunchaku and the Tonfa or the Kama which was the unique tool with a metal part used at that time. Varied distinct styles emerged during the heyday of the Ryukyuan kingdom: Shuri-ti forms were centered in the Ryukyuan capital of Shuri, Naha-ti in the commercial center of Naha, and Tomari-ti in the Tomari district located between the first two. Each style had its distinguished masters who established the traditions preserved to our present day. The techniques of Karate and Kobudo were, by their nature, to be kept from the uninitiated. Thus, there are but few historical records and the arts were conveyed almost entirely through personal oral transmission from master to disciple. Since the invasion of the Satsuma Samurai Clan, Okinawa was ruled by a weak government under orders of the Shogun, until the upcoming of the Meiji restoration, halfway the 19th century where, following the dissolution of the kingdom and the 1879 annexation of Okinawa as a prefecture, new institutions came into effect and Karate and Kobudo were incorporated into the Meiji public education system. There followed a movement to present these arts to the general public: during the Taisho Era (circa 1910-1926), demonstrations were made throughout mainland Japan, and in the early Showa years (circa main schools - ryu): Shorin-ryu, Gojyu-ryu, Uechi-ryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. Today, there exist many more sub-schools (ryuha) and factions (kaiha). Each boasts its own distinctive kata derived from the basic movements (kihon kata) common to all schools as the systematization of techniques of attack and defense. Rigorous training over years cultivates both physical and spiritual strength. Thus these traditional arts contribute to building character, to fostering a sense of social responsibility, and to the healthy development of young bodies and minds. In offering the disciplines of both martial arts and sports, Okinawa karate and kobudo today give inspiration to people throughout the world. Following is a description of the main weapons which comprise Kobudo training.
KAMA
Originally used as a rice-harvesting tool and to cut grass, the kama, or sickle, is one of the five systemized weapons used by the pioneers of Karate. In 1470 when traditional weapons were outlawed by the Japanese military, Okinawan peasants used the kama as a fighting blade. For great reach they attached a chain to the base of the sickle to develop a form of the weapon known as kusarigama. The kama is used either singly or in pairs, one in each hand, for close-range combat. It is employed to slash, hook, rake, chop, deflect or block. The kama has a short blade set perpendicular to a hardwood handle. Modern day kama use is primarily restricted to kata and demonstrations. The kata include several circular movements that improve blocking and countering techniques.BO
One of the five systemized weapons developed by Okinawan pioneers of Karate, the bo is the Japanese name for a wooden staff approximately five foot in length (six foot in Okinawa). The bo was used by bushi (military warriors), priests and peasants alike. The beauty of this weapon was in enabling one to disarm a swordsman while remaining at a safe distance. The bo's practical origins stem from poles balanced across the shoulders to carry buckets of water. In fighting application it allows blocking and striking against a range of weapons. Still one of the most popular weapons of budo, the bo is commonly used in kata and demonstrations. It is also beneficial for improving balance and upper-body strength.NUNTE
Another weapon developed by Okinawan farmers, the nunte has a central shaft and two prongs, one pointing away and the other pointing toward its wielder. The nunte is 15 inches long and usually placed atop a staff to form a spear. It can also be thrown or used as a dagger. In its original form the nunte was used as a fishing device. In traditional combat application, the nunte was used to either hook the samurai sword and snap its blade, or to twist the sword from an attacker's hand. The nunte modern application is mostly found in kata and demonstrations in which it is held in hand or attached to the end of a staff. The weapon is also known as a manji-no-sai.SAI
KAMA BO NUNTE SAI A popular and highly recognizable weapon, the sai is a short, forklike metal weapon approximately 15 to 20 inches in length. The weapon consists of a shaft, pointed in front and tapered to a blunt lipped end, and two tines projecting forward from about a quarter of the distance from the end of the shaft. The sai is believed to have originated from the pitchfork. Its traditional weapon applications include usage in various Karate stances and as a form of defence against sword attacks. It was also used to stab, trap block and punch, with practitioners carrying a sai in either hand and a spare attached to their belt. The weapon could also be thrown. History of the sai can be traced to India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia. The weapon immigrated to Okinawa and became one of the five systemized weapons of the early Karate developers. In its current application the sai is used as a training weapon (with dulled points) to test accuracy in striking and quick block-and-counter techniques.NAGINATA
The use of the naginata emanates from the 11th century when the Monamoto and the Taira clans began feuding and found the weapon highly effective for its combined cutting and thrusting properties. In its early form the naginata consisted of a blade and a shaft, with the handguard added later. Double-edged blades and blades set at right angles (jumon-ji naginata) became the most popular variations. Traditionally the naginata was employed with propeller like slashes directed to all parts of the opponent's anatomy. The naginata could keep a sword-wielding enemy at bay. It is also believed that the introduction of armour for the legs and lower part of the body was owed to the effectiveness of naginata. During the Muromachi Period (1392 - 1573) hundreds of styles of naginata developed, but with the arrival of firearms in 1542 began a decline. By 1600 the naginata was relegated to a symbolic position. During the Edo Period (1600 -1808) the naginata became known as the 'woman's spear' as women of the samurai class were the prime wielders of the weapon for self-protection. Naginata-do is still popular with Japanese woman and is part of several academic sports programs in Japan. In national competitions women compete with naginata against men with bokken (wooden swords). Indeed it is said that there are few more graceful or interesting spectacles in Japan today than the manipulation of this weapon by an expert female practitioner.TONFA
Another of the five systemized weapons developed by the Okinawan pioneers of Karate, the tonfa was originally used by peasants and farmers as a bean or rice grinder. The tonfa's circular movements as a farm tool evolved into its rotating strikes as a weapon, with the side of the tonfa used for blocks and the ends for thrusts. Traditionally two tonfa were often used simultaneously and were very efficient against armed assailants. In modern Karate training the tonfa aids development of block-and-strike strategies and upper-body strength. Also known as the tuifa or ton-kwa, expert use of the tonfa is a rarity in Okinawa these days.KATANA
The katana was the favoured weapon of the samurai warrior and Japan's most widely used sword. It is a long, curved, single-edged sword with a blade a little over two feet long. The katana's hilt, usually made of wood and covered with skin and silk cords, was removable. Drawn in a sky-to-ground manner, the katana was worn in the belt on the left side, edge upward. Employed as a thrusting weapon on horseback and foot, the katana was also used in competition and ritual deaths. Many katana's were crafted by master swordsmen whom kept their art a secret.YARI
In terms of historical significance, the Japanese spear or yari is second only to the bow and arrow. The yari was used by men and women of the samurai class and has been a part of Oriental weaponry for thousands of year. Bujutsu schools specializing in the use of the weapon (sojutsu) abounded in Japan, each teaching a different method of yari fighting. Higher-ranking Japanese bushi carried his spear when on horseback, fastened to his leg or stirrup in an iron or copper spear nest called a yari-ate. Foot soldiers carried their spears on their shoulders. The yari was primarily used as a thrusting weapon and existed in several forms including the pipe spear and the three-bladed spear. There were two major arts of spear usage: yari-jutsu — the art of the straight spear; and naginata-jutsu -the art of the curved spear. Each art was subdivided into numerous styles concerned with the use of various long and short spears and javelins. Each style shared a number of common basic techniques including strikes, thrusts and parries. Today the yari is only used in yari kata, though knowledge of such kata is not widespread.NUNCHAKU
Another of the five systemized weapons developed by Okinawan Karate pioneers, the Nunchaku is one of the most recognizable of traditional weapons thanks to its proliferation through cinema. An Okinawan weapon composed of two pieces of hardwood connected by rope or chain, the most common nunchaku is octagonal (hjakakuei). Variations include the round (maru-gat) in which both pieces are round and of even length; long-short (so-setsu-kon) in which one piece is half the length of the other; half-size (han-kei) in which the two sides, when placed together, form one circular piece of wood; three-piece (san-setsu-kon); and four-piece (yon-setsu-kon).Have you ever seen a
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