Understanding Okinawan Kobudo Weapons
What is understanding Okinawan Kobudo Weapons.? Kobudō is literally translated as “ancient martial way”. In Japan this would refer to things such as the katana (sword). Others consisting of naginata (halbert), yari (spear), and yumi/ya (bow and arrow). To avoid confusion we refer to the Okinawan art by the full name of Okinawan kobudō or Ryūkyū kobudō. It is the indigenous weapons art of Okinawa. Nowadays, It is now looked at as a separate art than karate, though many styles still work them both together.
THE ORIGINS OF KARATE WEAPONS
Karate, though based on an ancient form of Chinese martial arts. It didn’t become a Japanese martial art or get its name until 1936. It was developed on the island of Okinawa when brought to Japan by Funakoshi Gichin, the father of modern Karate.
Also it’s stated that the commoners and farmers were prohibited from having weapons or practicing martial arts. When the area was invaded by the Samurai from the Satsuma clan. Thus, they hid their training and fashioned crude weapons from farm tools.
KARATE AND UNDERSTANDING OKINAWAN KUBUDO WEAPONS
Training how these Okinawan weapons came to be known as Kubudo. If you want to get technical, most Karate weapons are actually Kobudo weapons. Most Okinawan martial artists trained in both arts. Many karate techniques can be performed with a weapon in hand for greater effectiveness.
Another theory is the peichin had a strong influence from Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian martial arts and weaponry. The weapon systems were created by the nobility. Where Takahara Pēchin, based the influences from other Asian countries and their own fighting systems. It is 100% true that there was a weapons ban in Okinawa. But it is not 100% proven this is the cause of the use of the specific weapons we see today. An art called krabi-krabong from Taiwan directly influenced the art of Okinawan kobudō.
NOTABLE KOBUDO MASTERS
- Kishaba Chogi
- Toshihiro Oshiro
- Inoue Motokatsu
- Sakagawa Kanga
- Matayoshi Shinko
- Mabuni Kenwa
In Okinawa and Japan around World War Ⅱ so much change was happening. The Okinawan culture was being lost. The budō-ka wanted to make sure their arts were going to last throughout the upheaval. Many karate styles incorporate kobudō into their curriculum. This includes Isshin-ryū, Motobu-ryū, shōrin-ryū, Shuri-ryū, and some schools of gōju-ryū. This happened to help preserve both arts. They also formed kobudō styles.
MAJOR MODERN STYLES OF KOBUDO STYLES ARE:
- Ryūkyū kobudō or Taira kobudō – founded by Taira Shinken
- Matayoshi kobudō – founded by Matayoshi Shinpo
- Yamanni-ryū – founded by Masami Chinen
- Ufuchiku kobudō – Kanagushiku Sanda
Growing up you probably became aware of such weaponry. Including tonfa, nunchaku, and ninja throwing stars in TV and movies. Making them synonymous in popular culture with Karate.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICATIONS OF UNDERSTANDING OKINAWAN KOBUDO WEAPONS
Kobudo holds significant importance in Okinawan culture and the broader realm of martial arts. Here are a few key aspects that highlight its significance:
- Historical Legacy: Kobudo represents the historical martial heritage of Okinawa. It embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of the Okinawan people in developing effective self-defense methods using everyday tools.
- Cultural Preservation: The practice of Kobudo helps preserve Okinawan traditions and customs. It serves as a link to the island’s past, fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride among practitioners.
- Complementary Art: Kobudo is often practiced alongside empty-hand martial arts like karate. Kobudo enhances martial arts training by teaching practitioners to handle weapons, refining their techniques, and developing coordination, focus, and discipline.
- Self-Defense Skills: Kobudo equips individuals with practical self-defense skills, both armed and unarmed. It teaches techniques for various weapons, enhancing overall combat proficiency and the ability to defend oneself effectively.
- Physical and Mental Development: Training in Kobudo promotes physical fitness, strength, and flexibility. It requires concentration, discipline, and mental focus, fostering personal growth and self-discipline.
- Global Influence: Okinawan Kobudo has gained international recognition and has become popular worldwide. Its influence has extended beyond Okinawa, contributing to the diversity and enrichment of the global martial-arts community.
Overall, Kobudo plays a crucial role in preserving Okinawan cultural heritage. While also contributes significantly to the broader landscape of martial arts.
UNDERSTANDING OKINAWAN KARTE WEAPONS
Like Karate, the martial art of Kobudo had a strong Chinese cultural influence. Focusing on the study of weapons like the bo, sai, kama, tonfa, nunchaku, and tekko.
In Kobudo, the weapon is an extension of the body. Almost every Karate movement can be reproduced with a weapon in hand. I’ll begin this list from the most common to the least known weapons.
TONFA
The tonfa is a close range hand-to-hand combat weapon that is wielded in pairs. It is currently used in a variety of martial arts. Which can be used for practicing for both striking and blocking techniques. It’s designed in the shape of a stick that’s slightly longer than your forearm. Plus a small perpendicular handle placed approximately a third of the length down. Traditional tonfas are made from wood, but there’s also foam and plastic designs available for beginners.
ORIGIN: Some historians believe that the tonfa was a wooden handle from a millstone that was used for self-defence in Okinawa. While others theorise tonfas were crutches that were adapted for battle in either China or Indonesia. This is mainly based on the fact that the name for the weapon means crutch in both Chinese and Malay. It’s possible that both theories are true. Many similar looking tools were being used for similar purposes in multiple locations. Which eventually combined to become what we recognise as tonfas.
USAGE: The tonfa’s primary purpose in most martial arts training is to enhance offensive and defensive measures that involve the forearms. When you grip the handle in your palm and hold the length of the tonfa against your arm it can add extra power to your strikes and blocks — and protect your arm from attacks in the process.
You can use the portion of the tonfa that extends beyond your elbow to execute powerful strikes or blunt attacks. If you switch your grip so that the stick portion is facing away from your arm and toward your opponent, you can also use tonfas to defend against attacks from other weapons like the bo. You can even use tonfas to immobilize your opponent’s weapon and disarm them.
SAI
The sai is a pointed, rod-shaped baton, with two long, unsharpened prongs attached to the handle. Contrary to what most people believe, the shaft of a sai is not sharpened; it’s not a blade. Traditional Okinawan sai are round, while some modern version has an octagonal shape.
The sai is another recognizable Okinawan weapon that often appears in movies. This weapon short and usually used as a dual weapon. It consists of a handle that branches out into three points, kind of like a candelabra, however, the middle one is considerably longer.
It can be used to strike and block and a skilled practitioner would be able to catch a katana blade and break it with a quick twist. This defensive skill made the Sai invaluable. Not only was it small enough to conceal but also it could go up against Katana and Bo.
ORGINS: While researching understanding Okinawan Kubudo weapons I found the following. Some Japanese historians pretend that the sai was always intended as a weapon, while others state that it originated as an agricultural tool.
USAGE: The sai is generally used in pairs, with one in each hand, and is used as a striking weapon, but it’s a very effective weapon for blocking other weapons. When handled by a skilled practitioner, the sai can be used to trap a katana blade between its branches and break it. Interestingly, most Karate kata can be adapted to be used with the sai.
KAMA
The Kama is a Japanese and Okinawan weapon that’s basically a stick with a razor-sharp blade attached perpendicularly to its end.
ORIGINS: Before being used as a weapon, the kama was extensively used as sickle throughout Asia. The Kama was most probably imported from mainland Japan to Okinawa and started being used as a weapon during the Satsuma occupation.
USAGE: The kama is a dangerous and versatile weapon that’s generally used in pairs, and that can be used to not only to slash, but also to block, trap, and disarm an opponent. The Kamas are often used to simultaneously block an attack with one kama and counterattack with the other. It’s also used to deliver double strikes.
BO
The Bo is a staff about 5 or 6 feet (152 to 182 cm) long that the Okinawans often carried around and was, surprisingly, not considered a weapon. The origin of this versatile weapon is unclear.
It may have been simply developed from walking sticks or it may have evolved from the tenbin, a long stick used across the shoulders for carrying buckets of water, baskets, or sacks. Another theory is that it was adapted from the handles of tools such as a shovel or rake.
TRAINING: Regardless of how it was developed, it is a formidable weapon. The wooden staff is heavy, usually made of oak. For greater speed and agility to perform fancy twirls and techniques, sometimes the ends are tapered to reduce the weight. This style is popular in Karate tournaments as it allows the practitioner to get a little more flashy with their techniques.
In training, a non-tapered heavier staff is typically used. This helps the student build strength as well as the heavier staff better absorbs the impact from blows.
The Bo allows for strong, long-range attacks, as well as provides excellent defense for the user. It can also be used to sweep the opponent’s legs and bring them to the ground.
ORIGIN: The earliest form of the bo staff has been used throughout Asia since the beginning of recorded history. In an effort to protect themselves during the Satsuma Invasion, the people of Okinawa started to carry around the bo, which was not officially considered a weapon.
USAGE: The bo is usually made of oak and can be a devastating weapon in the hands of a specialist. It can be used to strike with circular movement or to thrust, and it’s also well suited for blocking and sweeping. Because of its Kung-Fu roots, the practice of the bo is often incorporated into the practice of Karate.
JO (UNDERSTANDING OKINAWAN KOBUDO WEAPONS)
The Jo, a four-feet long wooden staff, is one of the ancient weapons of both Japan and Okinawa.
ORIGIN: Historical evidence indicates that the staff was used as a weapon very early in the history by almost every human culture, but its practice has perfected in China, Okinawa, and Japan.
USAGE: Like the bo, the jo is usually made of oak and can be lethal if used by a master. Because of its shorter length and faster speed, the jo is handled a bit differently from the bo. However, most strikes, thrusts, and blocks from bo techniques can be applied to the jo. Its usage is as a mix between the bo and the sword.
NUNCHAKU
Nunchaku, or nunchucks as they are commonly called, are probably the most recognized Karate weapon. Made famous by Bruce Lee, they continue to appear in martial arts and action movies regularly.
The nunchaku are two small equally sized batons connected by a piece of rope or a chain. They can be made from various materials, the most traditional being wood. However, they are also made from rubber, plastic, metal, and fiberglass. Most people start with foam nunchaku as the practitioner will strike themselves often while learning to use them.
Nunchaku are difficult to master, requiring a significant amount of dexterity and skill. They are often used as a training weapon because learning to use them greatly improves the user’s coordination and focus.
ORIGIN: Like many Kobudo weapons, the nunchaku was originally a farming tool used as a short flail throughout Asia to beat rice. It grew as a weapon under the Satsuma invasion due to their restrictive policy of weapons control.
There is debate about how the nunchaku originated, though most people will say they evolved from a flail that was used to beat rice. There is another theory stating it comes from a horse’s bit. Regardless, it is a formidable specimen of Asian weaponry. Compact and relatively easy to conceal, the nunchaku still gives the user a long-range weapon to easily keep opponents at bay.
USAGE: The Nunchaku can be operated with tremendous speed for striking, but can also be worthy for parrying attacks from other weapons. The nunchaku is used to strike vital spots, and apply joint locks, chokes, and other control techniques. When used in combat, the nunchaku provides the advantage of an increased range. The nunchaku is one of my favorite “Karate weapon”.
EKU
The Eku is not a very well-known Karate weapon. It basically looks like a boat oar and unsurprisingly was derived from a boat oar.
It can be used in a similar manner as a Bo staff but provides a bit more striking force due to the large size of its striking surface.
ORIGIN: Some historians believe that the Eku started being used as an improvised weapon by Kobudo practitioners during the Satsuma Invasion. Other historians claim that, because of their similar shape and lower price, boat oars started being used instead of more expensive Naginata (Japanese halberd).
USAGE: The eku is used somewhat similarly to the bo, but because of it’s “blade”, it’s employed more circularly to strike. Because of its weight, eku techniques often capitalize on the momentum of its large circular attacks. The eku is heavy, and its displaced center of gravity and makes it more challenging to master than the bo.
TEKKO
When it comes to easily concealable weapons, the Tekko is an excellent option. Similar to the more commonly known brass knuckles, the Tekko is worn on the hands to add a vicious touch to punching techniques and can also be used in a slashing motion.
Okinawan Tekko from back in the day were horseshoes and appeared very innocuous. However, a skilled practitioner would grab the shoe by the bottom of the U part allowing the ends to protrude around their fist and lay waste to their opponent.
Modern-day Tekkos are typically made of metal or wood, custom-sized to the user’s hand, and have between 1 to 3 spikes.
ORIGIN: Originally made from horseshoes, the tekko were easy to carry and conceal, avoiding raising suspicion during the Japanese occupation of Okinawa. The tekko evolved from an earlier version of the suntetsu.
USAGE: More than other Kobudo weapons, the tekko was carried by ancient Karate practitioners for self-defence purposes against armed and armoured Satsuma samurais. The techniques used with the Tekko consist mostly of traditional Karate punches and hand strikes. An alreadydeadly Karate master using tekko becomes even more dangerous.
TAMBO
The Tambo is an even shorter version of the Okinawan stick weapons. It is easier to conceal and useful for close-quarter combat. The Tambo can be used to block and strike, but its smaller size makes it faster and more accurate. It can also be used as a dual weapon.
The Tambo usually measures about 18 inches (45 cm) but the customized size is taken from the tip of the elbow to the wrist. Its specific origin is not known, but it’s probably safe to assume that it evolved from the Bo.
ORIGIN:The origin of the Tambo in unknown, but it’s pretty safe to assume that it’s derived from the staff.
USAGE: The tambo is a less common Okinawan weapon. Because of its small size, it can be used with high speed and accuracy to hit various vital points of the human body. The tambo is mostly used to thrust, but it can also be used to apply pressure points or joint-locks techniques. By holding each end, it can be effective to block or parry an enemy’s punch, kick, or weapon. The tambo can be deadly in skilled hands.
KUWA
The Kuwa is an Okinawan weapon that’s actually a garden hoe. The blade of the kuwa is between 4″ to 6″ wide, and the handle’s length is about three feet.
The handle is a bit shorter, but it has a wide, flat blade on one end that can be used for slashing and chopping motions. Bo techniques can be used with the handle as well.
ORIGIN: Like many other Okinawan Kobudo tools, the kuwa started being used in Okinawa, when people were banned from using weapons – they started using common farming tools to defend themselves.
USAGE: Because of its unique form, the kuwa can be used both as a striking and slashing/cutting weapon and as a defensive and tools. Although the kuwa is a simple farming tool, it developed into formidable weapons, especially in the hands of a master.
KURUMA BO
The Kuruma Bo is a type of Okinawan flail made up of two sticks united by a rope or chains. The longest stick serves as handle, and shortest and heavy is used to strike.
ORIGIN: The Kuruma Bo was an Asian agricultural instrument used for threshing cereal. A similar tool as also found in ancient Europe.
USAGE: The Kuruma Bo is both a defensive and offensive weapon that can, because if its simplicity, be learned rather quickly with devastating effect. The swinging part can be used very efficiently against multiple opponents. Its usage is similar to the nunchaku and the sansetsukon or three-section nunchaku.
TINBE-ROCHIN
The tinbe-rochin is one of the unknown weapons of Okinawan Kobudo and consists of a shield and a short spear. The tinbe or shield was traditionally made from a turtle shell or in metal, and the timbe was spear roughly 18 inches long.
ORIGIN: The use of the tinbe-rochin has been traced back to Okinawa at the beginning of the14th century, long before the Satsuma Invasion.
USAGE: The shield is primarily used to block/defend against oncoming strikes. The short length of the spear makes it more manageable in one hand and is mainly used to thrust and slash but can also be used defensively as well. By examining the movements found in old tinbe-rochin kata, we can acknowledge that the spear was predominantly used to stab under the armor – lower belly, groin, armpits, and throat.
SURUJIN
The surujin, also called suruchin, is one of Okinawa’s traditional weapons and is basically a two or three-meter long rope with a weight attached to each end. Originally, this weapon had stones attached to each end, but metal weights or metal points eventually replaced them.
ORIGIN: The exact origin of the surujin is unknown, but some historians claim it derived from fishermen’s tools.
USAGE: Techniques for the Surujin include strikes that are delivered by swinging the weapon or by throwing one of the weighted ends. The weight can also be used to catch a weapon or a leg, and the rope or chain can be pulled to unbalance the enemy or disarm him. It’s, as you can imagine, a weapon that demands great skills to master.
SANSETSUKON
The sansetsukon is a three-section wooden Japanese flail, connected by metal rings or rope. Each wooden staff is about 24 inches in length.
ORIGIN: The weapon originated from China and was apparently developed by Shaolin monks, who would put a rope between broken parts of staves to continue to use it.
USAGE: The sansetsukon is a unique weapon, and it can be quite tricky to master. Used with both hands, it can be used to strike and block simultaneously, offsetting the opponent’s timing. It can also be used like a nunchaku or like a dual tambo. The sansetsukon is definitely a weapon that’s hard to predict for an opponent.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON OKINAWAN KOBUDO WEAPONS
As you can see, there’s a great selection of “Karate weapons”, and most of them were either farming/fishing tools or of Chinese origin.
As a Karate practitioner, I think that it’s essential to learn Okinawan Kobudo weapons, not with the goal of mastering them, but as a complement to your Karate. In the dojo where I train, we mainly focused on bo, sai and nunchaku. It’s the perfect way to enhance your knowledge and make you a better Karate practitioner. Therefore, broaden your vision of your hand to hand practice.
https://globalmartialarts.university/2023/07/19/kobudo-okinawan-weapon-arts/
https://www.karatebyjesse.com/the-secret-to-why-kobudo-never-became-popular/