Kobudo: Karate Weapons

Submitted by staff on Wed, 08/12/2009 at 8:30pm.

Weapons are a very important aspect of karate. Okinawan kobudo is the most traditional Japanese phrase, meaning "old martial way of Okinawa," refers to the classical weaponry of karate, and can also be called Koryu, Ryukyu, or Kobujutsu. Common belief is that Okinawan farming tools and appliances became weapons out of necessity, and evolved into the great weapons they are today. Kobudo has been considered a predecessor of karate by some, and several karate forms use kobudo training as part of the general karate program. Karate and kobudo go hand-in-hand, complementing each other as needed.

The most well-known kobudo is the Bo, a six-foot staff. Other variations include the short jo and hanbo. The Bo Staff is the premier karate weapon, as it uses others weakness and strengths against them. It is the first and oldest weapon in karate, and is thought to be the "king" of karate weaponry.

Nun chucks, or nunchaku, are also very well-known among karate weapons. Nunchaku consist of two pieces of wood or metal connected by a chain or cord. Bruce Lee brought fame to this weapon of karate in his numerous films. Though some claim nunchaku originated in China, modern Chinese nunchaku, which are rounded, are different from modern Japanese nunchaku, which are octagonal.

Other Kobudo include the tonfa, much like a police nightstick; kama, the traditional farming sickle; and sai, a cross between a short sword and a truncheon. There are numerous other weapons used in karate which all require intense training for mastery.

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