It has been suggested that Kobudo be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Okinawan kobudo (less commonly Ryukyu Kobujutsu) is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa". It generally refers to the classical weapon traditions of Okinawa, most notably the rokushakubo (six foot staff, known as the "Bo Staff" or "Bo" for short), sai (short unsharpened dagger), tonfa (handled club), kama (sickle), and nunchaku (nunchucks), but also the Tekko (knuckledusters), Tinbe-Rochin (Shield and Spear), and Surujin (Weighted Chain). Less common Okinawan weapons include a short staff and the eku, a boat oar of traditional Okinawan design. (It is a common misperception that Kobudo weapons means only the Bo, sai, tonfa, nunchuck, and kama.) Many believe that the five better-known weapons trace back to fishing or farming traditions as classical implements used in these trades. Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Okinawan kobudo. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Okinawan kobudo. ... This article is about the prefecture. ... The Bo (棒) is around six feet long and normally wielded with both hands. ... Two sai For other meanings of the word sai, see Sai (disambiguation). ... A Wooden Tonfa The tonfa, also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived. ... The Kama are Okinawan and Chinese weapons that resemble traditional farming devices similar to a small scythe or a sickle. ... nunchaku, or just chucks for short), is a martial arts weapon of the kobudo weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. ... Tekko This weapon of Okinanwa is primarily a form of knuckleduster or known sometimes collquially as brass knuckles. ... The weapon Tinbe-Rochin is the most evocative of the Okinawan weapon systems, however its use is more akin to a combination of Zulu fighting and European sword and small shield fighting, and weapons of this nature can be found in most cultures throughout the world. ... Surujin. ... The Bo (棒) is around six feet long and normally wielded with both hands. ... Two sai For other meanings of the word sai, see Sai (disambiguation). ... A Wooden Tonfa The tonfa, also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived. ... A nunchaku (Chinese: 雙節棍 shuāng jié gùn, 兩節棍 liǎng jié gùn, or 三節棍 sān jié gùn), also called nunchucks or nunchuks (sometimes hyphenated as nun-chucks or nun-chuks or spaced as nun chucks or nun chuks), is a martial arts weapon of the kobudo weapons set and consists of... The Kama are Okinawan and Chinese weapons that resemble traditional farming devices similar to a small scythe or a sickle. ...

Kobudo traditions were shaped by indigenous Okinawan techniques that arose within the Aji, or noble class, and by imported methods from China and possibly other countries that traded with the Ryukus. The majority of modern kobudo traditions that survived the difficult times during and following World War II were preserved and handed down by Taira Shinken and Kenwa Mabuni, and developed into a practical system by Motokatsu Inoue in conjunction with Taira Shinken. Other noted masters who have kobudo kata named after them include Chotoku Kyan, Shigeru Nakamura, and Shinko Matayoshi. Location of Ryukyu Islands Ryukyuan flag The Ryukyu Islands (琉球列島 Ryukyu-rettō, formerly spelled Lewchew or Luchu) or Nansei Islands (南西諸島 Nansei-shotō southwest islands), are an island chain stretching southwestward from the island of Kyushu in Japan. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... Maezato Shinken was born in 1897 on Kume Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago. ... Kenwa Mabuni was a peer of Funakoshi Kenwa Mabuni, Motobu Choki and other Okinawans were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point when Gichin Funakoshi officially brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan Shito-ryu (糸東流) is a form of karate that was developed by Kenwa MabuniShito-ryu (糸東流) is... Maezato Shinken was born in 1897 on Kume Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Okinawan kobudo. ... Kata may mean: Kata (martial arts), a pattern of defense-and-attack Katirs, alternative name for the tribal group Afghanistan Kata (mathematics), a direction of the fourth spatial dimension Kata (company), an Israeli company manufacturing photo equipment protection cases and military items An abbreviation for Katakana character set in the... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Kobudo arts are not strictly related to karate, but several styles of that art include some degree of kobudo training as part of their curriculum. Similarly, it is not uncommon to see an occasional kick or other empty-hand technique in a kobudo kata. The techniques of the two arts are closely related in some styles, evidenced by the empty-hand and weapon variants of certain kata: for example, Kanku-dai and Kanku-sai, and Gojushiho and Gojushiho-no-sai, although these are examples of Kobudo Kata which have been developed from Karate Kata and are not traditional Kobudo forms. Other more authentic kobudo kata demonstrate elements of empty hand techniques as is shown in older forms such as Soeishi No Dai, a Bo form. Karate or karate-dō is a martial art of Okinawan origin. ... // Okinawan Kobudo Kata Okinawan Kobudo was at its zenith some 200-400 years ago and of all the authentic kobudo kata practiced at this time, only relatively few by comparison remain extant. ... // Okinawan Kobudo Kata Okinawan Kobudo was at its zenith some 200-400 years ago and of all the authentic kobudo kata practiced at this time, only relatively few by comparison remain extant. ...

See also

• Bojutsu
• Jojutsu
• sai
• nunchaku
• tonfa
• Tekko
• Tinbe-Rochin
• Surujin
• kama
• Eku
• Sansetsukon
• kuwa
• Nunti-bo
• Manji-sai

Bojutsu (棒術) is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bo (abbreviation of roku-shaku-bo (six-shaku-staff), a shaku being close to one foot long). ... Jojutsu (Japanese:杖術) or Jodo is a Japanese martial art using staves (jo), similar to bojutsu, in defense against the Japanese sword. ... Two sai For other meanings of the word sai, see Sai (disambiguation). ... nunchaku, or just chucks for short), is a martial arts weapon of the kobudo weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. ... A Wooden Tonfa The tonfa, also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived. ... Tekko This weapon of Okinanwa is primarily a form of knuckleduster or known sometimes collquially as brass knuckles. ... The weapon Tinbe-Rochin is the most evocative of the Okinawan weapon systems, however its use is more akin to a combination of Zulu fighting and European sword and small shield fighting, and weapons of this nature can be found in most cultures throughout the world. ... Surujin. ... The Kama are Okinawan and Chinese weapons that resemble traditional farming devices similar to a small scythe or a sickle. ... EKU may stand for: Eastern Kentucky University European Karate Union, now European Karate Federation (EKF) extended key usage There may be additional references to this abbreviation. ... Three sectional staff The Sansetsukon or three sectional staff(三節棍 , sān jié gùn), is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staffs connected by metal rings or rope. ...

See also

• hanbo
• Juttejutsu

The hanbo is a quarterstaff used in martial arts. ... Juttejutsu is the Japanese martial art of using a jitte or jutte. ...

External Links

• Information about Kobudo weapons from a website of the Okinawa Prefectural Government
• Ryukyu Kobujutsu Association G.B. (reinforces above, but seems less important than the above native source)

History of Kobudo (Note link to budo and kobudo masters)

• http://www.oshirodojo.com/ Yamanni Chinen-ryu kobujutsu