Bojutsu, translated from Japanese as “staff technique”, is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bō which simply means “staff”. Staffs are perhaps one of the earliest weapons used by humankind. They have been in use for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Some techniques involve slashing, swinging, and stabbing with the... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
When learning Okinawan Kobudo, you should know how to hold a Bo staff in a neutral position to prepare yourself for a variety of attacking and blocking positions. Usual striking points are: Head – aim for to strike the side of the head onto the temples. Torso – aim for the floating ribs and... more »
Chatan Yara is taught as the second Sai kata in the Isshin Ryu system, coming from Tatsuo Shimabuku’s Kobudo instruction with Shinken Taira. The form focuses on the development of the “sequential summation of movement”, which is the scientific term for full-body whipping motion. This is exemplified by the emphasis on whipping strikes, which... more »
Hama Higa No Tuifa is the Tonfa Kata of the Isshin Ryu curriculum. This form is from Shimabuku’s studies with Shinken Taira. It is the only Tonfa kata in the Isshinryu system. Shimabuku always referred to the weapon as tuifa. The kata bears many similarities to the Uechi Ryū empty-hand form Seisan, and actually... more »
Kusanku Sai is the first Sai kata taught at Isshin Ryu Karate system. This form is a product of Shimabuku’s own research into the art of kobudō, the coverall for Okinawa’s weapons studies. The kata was built as an introduction to Sai practice, with the weapon movements replacing the empty-hand applications. The form is taught one... more »
The kama is a traditional farming sickle, and considered one of the hardest to learn due to the inherent danger in practicing with such a weapon. The point at which the blade and handle join in the “weapon” model normally has a nook with which a bo can be trapped, although this joint proved... more »
The kama is a traditional farming sickle, and considered one of the hardest to learn due to the inherent danger in practicing with such a weapon. The point at which the blade and handle join in the “weapon” model normally has a nook with which a bo can be trapped, although this joint proved... more »
The nunchaku could be an effective weapon against an opponent armed with a knife. Nunchaku gives you the advantage of reach. Your opponent can’t cut you if he can’t reach you. Use this advantage to neutralize your opponent and make his knife... more »
Ko-Bu Nunchaku is the first nunchaku kata that you learn in Okinawan Kobudo. It is a a kihon kata, based on basic exercises. For that reason, the practice of Ko-Bu Nunchaku gives you the fundamentals of Okinawan Nunchaku handling... more »
Kobudo is the study of the ancient Okinawan weapons, in particular the wooden implements. The word Kobudo means “ancient martial arts”, and many believe that weapons were always of primary study, with empty hand self defence secondary. For this reason weapons training is referred to as Kobudo. Strictly translated, the Japanese word Kobudo covers all ancient martial traditions,... more »
The Kuwa is one of the many Okinawan weapons, based on a hoe, a tool 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... more »
The Kuwa is one of the many Okinawan weapons, based on a hoe, a tool 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... more »