Kobudo (weapons) is an important part of the Sanrin curriculum. The practice of kobudo provides the student with a wide variety of benefits, including,
- Improved physical fitness, flexibility, and hand-eye coordination through the manipulation of weapons
- Better combative improvisation skills through the usage of unlikely implements as weapons
- Increased cultural awareness via the preservation of Okinawan heritage
The “tools of the trade” for Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo are diverse. We utilize a variety of long range and short range implements to teach students how to wield each effectively. By the end, the student is able to pick up almost anything they find handy and use it with some efficiency in a combative environment.
An Example of Kobudo Kama Kata
An Example of Kobudo Bo Kata
Weapons Fighting for Advanced Students (With Safety Weapons)
Armored Weapons Fighting for Advanced Students
A Brief Tour Of Kobudo Weapons
Rokushaku Bo
The bo is the most prominent weapon in the Okinawa Kenpo system. Odo Seikichi Sensei loved the bo, and thus studied it diligently throughout his life. Mastery of the bo provides great insight into the usage of long range, two-handed weapons.
Tonfa
Oral history suggests that the tonfa were once utilized as handles for grinding wheels, but quickly turned into effective weapons should the need arise.
The trademark of the tonfa is the perpendicular handle attached to a straight rod. The extended surface of the tonfa can be used for blocking, thrusting, or striking in a windmill fashion.
Sai
The sai was an important tool used by the Chikuden Peichen (policing class) of Okinawa. As a quickly recognizable implement, citizens knew when they were dealing with an enforcement agent on the island. Also, the construction of the weapon allowed for controlling and pinning of the perpetrator without causing lethal damage.
The sai of Okinawa are intentionally left unsharpened.
Nunchaku
Made famous by Bruce Lee, the nunchaku is an unorthodox weapon that takes advantage of speed and unorthodox angles to confuse and frustrate opponents. The handling of the implement is a challenge though, so learning the nunchaku is a slow process building up from simple techniques.
In Okinawa, the nunchaku is usually used individually, but can be used in pairs (mostly for demonstration purposes).
Kama
The short handled kama were perfect for agrarian purposes on Okinawa, but also made for extremely intimidating and effective weapons. Unlike the cutting blade of a sword, the kama is not focused on straight stabbing or slashing. Instead, the kama is used to hook and cut while entangling an opponent from close range.
The kama are often used in pairs, and can sometimes be seen attached to a rope/chain and called kusarigama.
Other weapons include: eiku, nunti, tecchu, tekkos, kuwa, tinbe&rochin.