Okinawan Kobudo

Histoire

Okinawan kobudo is the weapons system that grew alongside karate in Okinawa. Popular tradition says it used farming and fishing tools, such as the rice flail and the sickle, after weapons were restricted on the islands.

In the 20th century Shinken Taira collected and organised many weapon kata and founded a society to preserve them (1940). Many karate schools still teach kobudo next to empty-hand training.

Le saviez-vous ?

• The bo (long staff, about 1.8 m) is the most important kobudo weapon.
• The nunchaku became world-famous through Bruce Lee's films.
• Each weapon has its own kata, often named after the masters who created them.

Formes

Shushi no kon (bo)Sakugawa no kon (bo)Tsuken Shitahaku no saiHamahiga no tonfaKanegawa no nichogamaChikin no eku

Armes et équipement

Bo

long staff, about 1.8 m

Sai

three-pronged metal truncheon

Tonfa

stick with side handle

Nunchaku

two sticks joined by a cord

Kama

sickle

Eku

boat oar

Tekko

knuckle-duster

⚔ In the Arsenal

BoSaiTonfaNunchakuKama

Figures clés

• Shinken Taira (1897–1970) — preserved and organised Okinawan kobudo

Sources: Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai · Encyclopaedia Britannica