Bo
Primary
used
as
a
staff
for
wandering
and
also
as
a
tool
for
to
carry
heavy
weights
on
the
shoulders, the Bo/Kon has been developed to a very effective weapon.
There
are
many
versions
of
a
Bo
some
made
from
hard
some
made
of
soft
and
flexible
wood. The normal Bo is round made from oak with 183 cm lenght and 3 cm diameter.
But there also Bo with cants (4 to 8) and Bo with smaller ends.
The
flexible
version
made
from
Rattan
wood
is
clearly
more
light
and
demands
an
own
technique.
But
all
known
okinawan
Kata
are
made
for
the
hard
and
massive
Bo.
More
than
80
Kata
for
the
Bo
exist,
but
a
lot
of
them
has
been
developed
in
the
last
one
hundred
years.
So
many Kobudo masters of Okinawa did create an own Kata for the Bo
Like
no
other
weapon
the
Bo
can
help
to
improve
the
understanding
of
the
movements
and techniques of Karate.
And
it
was
no
contingency
that
the
okinawan
Karate
Masters
also
were
masters
in
the
way
of using the Bo.
Jo
A stick with a lenght of 120 cm, which will be used very similar to the Bo.
Hanbo
A stick with 90 cm lenght. Basicly a half Bo.
Tonfa
This
tool,
which
was
in
use
as
a
handle
for
turning
millstones,
is
a
very
versatile
usuable
weapon. Even throwing and lever techniques are possible.
The
effectiveness
of
the
weapon
was
early
seen
by
security
agencies
and
police,
where
it
is in use as a self defence weapon.
Tonfa
can't
reach
the
effect
and
power
of
the
Bo,
but
have,
because
of
the
possible
higher
speed, an bigger effect onto a small point.
Also
in
case
of
the
Tonfa
different
versions
of
the
weapon
exist.
So
we
can
see
Tonfa
with
round
sticks
or
cants
sticks
in
different
sizes.
All
Tonfa
are
made
from
hard
wood.
And
this
wood
must
be
even
strong
enough
for
to
hold
stand
against
a
sword.
There
are
many
authentic Kata for the Tonfa. And the most has been created in the last century.
Sai
The
roots
of
the
Sai
and
their
development
to
a
weapon
are
unknown.
But
in
fact
there
is
a
tool
for
fishing
what
shows
a
similarity
to
the
Sai.
Also
there
is
a
Sai
like
fork
used
in
the
agriculture.
Known is that the Sai was one of the favourite weapon of okinawan kings security guards.
The
Sai
can
be
hidden
very
good
into
the
clothes
and
are
also
strong
enough
for
to
fight
against
the
Samurai
sword.
Though
the
techniques
are
not
with
such
a
speed
as
the
Tonfa,
but
the
weapon
creates
more
power.
In
connection
with
the
used
material
(iron)
and
the
weight of the weapon the Sai are weapons which can bring more the dead than an injury.
Kama
The
Kama
are
a
tool
for
the
rice
agriculture.
The
blade
is
with
a
light
bow
and
very
sharp.
Kama are one of the very few real sharp weapon in the Kobudo and very dangerous.
In former times also in the beginnig the exercises was done with sharp weapons.
So
the
basic
techniques
was
done
more
often,
before
the
students
did
start
to
learn
difficult combinations.
But
especially
these
combinations
are
very
dangerous,
because
they
can
irritate
the
opponent
and
can
be
ingredible
fast.
But
very
difficult
are
the
blocking
techniques,
because there is only a bit of the stick left between the blade and the hand.
Rokushaku Kama
A staff with a length of 180 cm with a Kama blade on it's end.
Eku
The oar of a fishermans boat. For the Eku very similar techniques to the Bo are in use.
Nuntebo
The spear of a fisherman
Yari
A spear, normally made from flexible wood. The length is the same as the length of a Bo.
Bisento
The okinawan form of a halberd.
Daijo
A leader skin, which is between two sticks.
Gekiquan
A staff with a length of 120 cm including a chain and a weight.
Nunchaku
Two short sticks connected with a rope or a chain. Probably developed from a flail.
The
power
of
the
Nunchanku
shows
variations
and
is
depend
on
the
weight
and
the
speed.
Higher
weight
means
lower
speed
and
lower
weight
means
lower
power.
On
the
other
hand
the
possible
speed
of
the
Nunchaku
are
the
main
advantages
in
connection
with
the
real unexpected techniques.
But
blocking
techniques
against
other
weapons,
especially
against
a
Bo
or
a
sword
are
really difficult.
Renkuwan
Just a normal flail. The shaft is from similar lenght to the Bo.
Sansetsu Kon
A
kind
of
Nunchaku
with
three
parts.
The
single
sticks
are
much
more
longer
than
in
case
of the Nunchaku. The Sansetsu Kon creates a very high power but is very difficult to use.
Naginata
A
sword
with
a
very
long
shaft.
The
shaft
is
made
from
wood
and
with
a
similar
lenght
to
the Bo. The sword part is not as long as the Samurai sword.
Surujin
A chain with a lenght of about 2 metre, with an arrow like weight at the end.
Rochin & Timbe
A small round shild and a very short, maybe 40 cm long spear.