Kobudo

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Most of the information on this page comes from the books written or translated by sensei Ernest Estrada (see the Karate References page).

Kobudo is an Okinawan martial art utilizing weapons, some of which may have been developed based on farming or fishing implements. The common belief is that all (but perhaps the sai) were farming and fishing implements that were used as weapons to fight the invading Satsuma warriors from Japan, but scholarly research disproves this notion.

The word kobudo is made up of the words "koryo" which means ancient, and "budo", which means "martial art", but in the specific sense of an art that is studied for personal betterment (unlike "bujutsu", which also means martial art, but in the sense of the training of a soldier to be used in the military). So, kobudo basically means, "ancient martial art".

I've been studying kobudo long enough that I've had a chance to train with several different kobudo weapons. I take lessons from the same instructor who instructs me in karate at Anderson's Karate Dojo. I've been told that the sub-style of kobudo that we practice is called Ryukyu Kobujutsu (which would imply it's use also as a military defensive art). Kobudo has always been practiced alongside te, tode, and karate, each enhancing the other. As sensei John Anderson has said, kobudo and karate are like the two handles on a wheel-barrel. I suppose the best way to describe the style, though, is to look at the kata that we do.

Rokushakubo

The most common weapon used in most kobudo styles is the rokushakubo, which is Japanese for "six foot staff". It's typically made of oak or ash, but mine is made of a more unusual wood which seems to be a walnut-like wood from China. The Japanese rokushakubo tapers at the ends--typically being about 30% wider in the center than at the ends. The Okinawan/Ryukyu bo does not taper. It is the oldest and most traditional Okinawan weapon. It's uses in karate training are the development of ma-ai ("distance appreciation"), stances, and the muscles of the wrist and forearms. This weapon was almost certainly brought to Okinawa by those Okinawans who studied Chinese martial arts.

Sai

Next, I began studying sai. I own chromed sai, like the ones pictured above, which are not true, battle-ready sai. The "real" ones are oil-hardened steel, and are a dull, very dark gray color. The oil-hardening makes them stronger and less brittle. They are used in karate training to develop the grip, wrist, forearms and deltoids, and are good for learning grabbing and blocking techniques. The sai were most likely created based on similar weapons used by the Chinese or Indonesians.

Tuifa

Practicing with tuifa is also common at our dojo. Tuifa are the ancestor of the billy club, and are meant to be used in pairs (as are most of the single-handed kobudo weapons). Tuifa go by more names and/or spellings than any other kobudo weapon, as they are also known as tonfa, tunfa, toifua, tonkua, tunkua, taofua, tonfua, and tuiha. Tunfa or tonfa are the Japanese (and American) version, tonkua or tunkua are Chinese terms, and tuifa (and probably similar spellings) is Okinawan. This weapon develops grip strength and the muscles of the forearms, and teaches dexterity and awareness of arm and hand positioning. I have yet to learn much about the origins of this weapon.

Just a little training with the eku (boat oar). I enjoy using this weapon tremendously; it may be my favorite kobudo weapon. The blade part of the oar is used to slice the opponent's throat, and the end of the blade is used to stab at the throat (or other areas). The handle end is used to block, twist, and punch. This is one kobudo weapon that clearly is a fishing implement.

I have also done a little practicing of the nunchaku ("wooden flail"). Interestingly, nunchaku are not very popular in Okinawa. They are seen as having no real advantage (such as length, sharpness, sturdiness or the ability to be thrown). As a result, there are only a few nunchaku kata, and most were developed only in the last 60 years. They are used in training to develop grip, wrist and deltoids, and teach awareness, sensitivity, and ma-ai.

I have done just a little with the kama (small, single-handed sickles). They are considered to be a very dangerous kobudo weapon, both for the opponent and for the practitioner. Most people (including me) begin with training kama, which have a wooden blade. They build finger and hand dexterity, and emphasize the elements of danger and concentration in the martial arts. It seems likely that this weapon did have its basis in farming implements.

Some of the other weapons used in Ryukyu Kobudo (there are many) are glaives and spears.