
About Okinawan Kobudo
The Villieria Tigers Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate Dojo does not only teach Karate, but also traditional Okinawan Kobudo, or weapons training. There are six farming and fishing tools which were used as weapons in Okinawa: the bo, nunchaku, sai, tonfa (tuifa), kama and eku.
Many students like the versatility of weapons training, and many like to compete in tournaments, while some only train in kobudo to broaden the martial arts experience. Most students who train in the art of kobudo agree that it is unique and enjoyable.
Nunchaku
This weapon can have two to three pieces of wood connected by thread, cord, chain or horsehair. It was used in Okinawa as a thresh and as a horse bridle. It has its origins in China and the Philippines and has been popularized a great deal by motion pictures. They are common today in many areas of Southeast Asia being used in agriculture. They are not practiced with the flash used in the movies but use specific strikes and blocks with not a great deal of turning or flashy twirling. These types of motions are found in kihon (basics) and not so much in application.
Sai
Thought to have originated from China or Taiwan, the sai was employed by local authorities as an effective means of restraining and striking. It was not uncommon for one or more sai to have been concealed to replace one that had been thrown at an opponent.
Tonfa
The tonfa’s use came from being the handle for a millstone grinder and was a very effective weapon for defence. It could be twirled by the handle or flipped upside down to be used for hooking a weapon and then striking with the grip-head. The tonfa has been adapted by law enforcement in the form of the PR-24, however, creators of this adaptation claim that it has no tie to the tonfa. It is interesting that one of the creators, before he was involved in law enforcement, was a US Marine and spent time on the island of Okinawa.
Kama
The kama has long had its place in agriculture in the east and was not a foreign visitor to the Ryukyu Islands. Farmers have used and continue to use kama to cut sugar cane, pineapples and other crops native to the islands. They may be found in most hardware stores in Okinawa today and are available in different shapes and weights. The kusarigama is an attachment of a rope or chain to either the handle or reinforcement ring of the blade. This adaptation increases the danger of this already risky weapon and should be practiced with utmost seriousness and slow speed. Dull blades don’t hurt either.
Eku
Still used in the Dragon Boat Races in Okinawa, the eku is another weapon that is truly an Okinawan treasure. Used in a similar manner as the bo, the eku employs the use of cutting with the edge of the blade and the thrusting of the saki or tip. One commonly used technique is the throwing of sand into the eyes of an opponent. In some kata, such as Akahachi no eku, there is a kicking of sand with the feet followed by a reverse strike with the butt of the oar. Legend has it that this weapon was used against attackers by fisherman and was effective against the katana.
Okinawan Kobudo Kata
Bo
Yaname no bo Shusi no Kun
Yaname no bo Sakugawa no Kun
Nakama no bo Kubo no Kun
Shugoro no bo Sakugawa no Kun
Nunchaku
Namazato Nunchaku Sho
Tonaki no Nunchaku
Sai
Naikama Kenkou Sensei no Sai Dai-Ichi no Kata
Naikama Kenkou Sensei no Sai Dai-Ni no Kata
Shugoru no Sai Dai-Ichi no Kata
Tonfa
Shugoru no Tonfa
Kama
Naikama no Kama
Shugoru no Kama
Eku
Shugoru no Kai
