Kobudo Weapons

Nunchaka

Nunchaka

Nunchaka are composed of two wooden shafts, approximately 30cm in length, joined together with either a cord or a chain. Nunchaka are used to increase the distance between defender and attacker and can inflict fast and hard blows. However they can be difficult to get used to and during the initial stages of learning some of the blows may be inflicted on yourself! Fortunately foam-covered training versions are available to alleviate this problem. In skillfull hands Nunchaka are both effective and impressive.

Tonfa

Tonfa

Tonfa are side handled batons composed of a main shaft approximately 35cm to 40cm in length and a handle about a quarter of the way along the length of the shaft. Tonfa-like weapons have now been widely adopted by police forces all over the world. Although unlike in police work where a single Tonfa is normally used, many of the martial arts applications utilise a pair of tonfa, one in each hand.

Jo staff

Jo (4 foot staff)

The Jo is basically a staff, typically around 120cm in length (around the same length as a Katana). The Jo allows the defender to keep a respectable distance away from their attacker and still deliver effective strikes. The Jo can also be used to simulate sword attacks for training purposes.

Sai

Sai

Sai have the appearance of large daggers with a pronged hand guard. They do not have a sharp edge (although the tip is obviously pointed) and are not used for stabbing. Sai are very effective defensive weapons when used against swords and staff weapons. They can be used to block and trap the opponents weapon and thus disable it. Sai are normally used in a pair.

Bo Staff

Bo (6 foot staff)

Bo is also a staff weapon, although larger than the Jo at aroung 2m in length. The Bo provides the extreme in increasing the range of your strikes and attacks (beaten only by the Naginata, see below). This increase in range does come at a price though as wielding the weight of the weapon reduces the speed of attacks.

Kubotan

Kubotan

The Kubotan is a small wooden or metal rod that sits in the palm of your hand. It is used to concentrate the focus of a technique at a point. Use of the Kubotan can be applied to strikes, blocks and locks, making all of them more intense and effective. Kubotan may sometimes be seen hanging from the keyrings of people working in security.

Kama

Kama

Kama have a clear resemblence to sickles and this is where they originated. Kama are very effective weapons for fast blocking and counter attack. They are particularly effective when used against Katana, Jo and Bo. In the interest of safety, wooden replicas are normally used for initial training.

Naginata

Naginata

The Naginata is composed of a long wooden shaft (around 2m in length) with a blade attached to the end. The Naginata combines the reach of a Bo with the cutting ablility of an edged weapon.

Katana

Katana (sword)

The principle sword used by the Samurai. Very effective and elegent in the right hands, but training with a live blade requires great respect. As with other edged weapons a wooden replica, known as a Bokken, is normally used for initial training.

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