Kobudo

Okinawan Kobudo (沖縄古武道) can be translated by old martial way of Okinawa.
It refers to the weapon systems (mainly farming and fishing implements).

Bo (棒 – ぼう) or Kun (根) : Long staff

The Bo (棒) is a six-foot long staff.
It is normally manufactured in red oak and it could tapered at either extremity.
Bo can be used to strike, block, jab, sweep and hook.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have 4 Bo katas :

• Shushi No Kon (周氏の根)
• Choun No Kon (趙雲の棍)
• Sakugawa No Kon (佐久川の棍)
• Chikin No Kon (津堅の棍)

Sai (釵) : three-pronged truncheon

The basic form of the Sais that of a sharp metal prong with two curved sideprongs projecting from the handle. There are different theories about its introduction in Okinawa and the origins of this weapon ( China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, …).
During a certain period of time the Sai has been used by Okinawa domestic police.
The Sai is used to block and punch (using both extremities) it can even be thrown.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have 2 Sai katas :

• Nicho Sai (二丁釵)
• Kobu Sai (孝武釵)

Tonfa or Tunkwa (トンファー)

Adapted from the handle of a grain grinding wheel, Tonfas are used in pairs.
This weapon has been adapted and modernized to be used by lot of policemen within the world.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have 2 Tonfa katas :

• Tunkwa No Kata (トゥンクワーの形)
• Kobu No Tunkwa (トゥンクワーの形)

Eku (櫂)

The Eku is a modified oar to be used a weapon.
It was mainly used by sailors to defend against attackers.
The Eku handle is similar to the Bo one but with a side with lot of inertia.
It can be used to strike, block, scoop and even to flick sand into the eyes of the opponent.
Kinjo sensei is well know for his impressive Roar skills.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have only one Eku kata : Kobu No Eku (孝武のエーク).
Kinjo sensei is well known in Okinawa for his impressive skills in Eku handling.
You can find the Eku in the back side of the Koburyu Kobudo Dogi.

Tenaka or Tinaka (手中)

The word Tenaka is composed by 2 Kanjis Te (手) :hand & Naka (中) : middle / inside.
The Tenaka is so handle is the middle of the hand; it consists in a sharpened wooden stick(s) with additional spike protrusion.
Used by pairs, tenakas are super effective in close range self defence.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have only one Tenaka kata : Kobu No Tenaka (孝武の手中).

Kama (鎌)

Kama is a traditional Japanese farming implement similar to a sickle used for reaping crops.
It is a very powerful weapon requiring lot of skills and attention to handle it.

In the Koburyu Kobudo we have only one Kama kata : Kobu No Kama (孝武の鎌).

Nunti (ヌンティ)

The Nunti is manufactured by combining a Bo (long staff) with a manji Sai (tine in both direction).
Nunti seems to have been designed in China.