OKINAWAN WEAPONS

Rokushaku-bo

The word rokushakubo means 6 foot staff. Roku is 6. Shaku is a measurement approximately 1 foot. Bo is staff. It is made from hardwood. The Bo is approximately 6 feet in length, in principle the Bo should be at least one fist length taller than the wielder. Its diameter is between 1 and 2 inches. The Bo can be straight or tapering towards the ends.

The Bo was used as a walking staff and as a yoke to carry loads in buckets or baskets. In the latter case, the Bo was placed across the shoulders and the loads were suspended by rope from the ends.

The Bo depends entirely on Te (hand) techniques. Proper turning and twisting of the wrist is necessary. Kobudo Masters spent many years practicing with the Bo before attempting combat.

The Bo is gripped with the hands spaced one-third down from each tip. When held horizontally in front, the right palm is facing away from the body and the left hand is facing the body. The opposing grip of the hands enables the Bo to rotate. The power is generated by the back hand pulling the Bo. The front hand is used for guidance. It is important to twist the wrist when striking and poking just like turning the hand over when punching.

Sai

It is sometimes know as a short sword, but is closely related to a trident. It is a hand weapon with a blade between 15 and 20 inches in length with forward curving quillions, hand grip, and pommel. It is made from solid iron weighing up to 3 pounds. The Saki of the Monouchi should extend 1 to 3 inches past the elbow. The Saki can be sharp, blunted, or smoothed out.

The Sai is of the few Okinawan weapons that did not evolve from farm tools. The Sai originated in China and was brought in by traders. Often 2 or 3 Sai were carried, 1 in each hand and a third in his belt in reserve. The Sai is restricted to Okinawan-based Karate systems.

The use of the Sai requires a very high standard of training and skill. Each Sai must function in harmony with the other. Proper use of the Sai requires many years of training.

The Sai has several grips. An open Sai is when the Tsukagashira is at the heal of the palm. A closed Sai is when the Tsukagashira is at the finger tips and the Monouchi lies on the forearm. The Yoko is used for trapping and breaking of weapons.

Tonfa

The Tonfa is made of hardwood. It is between 15 to 20 inches in length with a projecting side handle about 6 inches down the from the front end. The Ushiro Tsukagashira should extend 1 to 3 inches past the elbow. The body of the Tonfa may be square or round.

The Tonfa was used as a handle to turn a hand operated millstone when grinding rice. Like the Sai, the Tonfa is used in pairs

The Tonfa takes time to develop smooth techniques. Each Tonfa must work in harmony with the other. Proper spinning, rotation, and control require many hours of practice.

The Tonfa is gripped so that the thumb and index finger are at the Tsuka and the Yoko Nage is on the bottom of the forearm. It can be used for punching and blocking as in karate. The true power of the Tonfa comes from the swinging motions used for striking and blocking.

Nunchaku

The use of Nunchaku is typically Okinawan. This innocuous looking weapons is made with two equal lengths of hardwood hinged by a short piece of silk cord or chain. The lengths of wood are about as long as your forearm. The cord should span the back of your hand.

The Nunchaku are common as plain agricultural gain flails all over Souther Asia and the larger versions used to be found in Europe.

Under the sever dominance of the Japanese, the Okinawans developed the weapon as subordinate branch of fight always from te postures.

The Nuchaku is gripped at the Ushiro Tsukagashira. It is first whirled in a fast figure-eight or zigzag motion before the opponent with the object of disturbing the composure and gaining a mental initiative. The rotating of the Nunchaku comes from the wrist motion. As the Nunchaku rotates, the two pieces of wood should stay in line with each other. The free hand caries out the normal te movements of blocking and defending and as the chances occur. The Nunchaku delivers smashing blows to the face, hands, wrists, knees, shoulder blades, or the ribs.

Kama

The Kama has a short blade at right angles to a hardwood handle. The handle is a little longer than your forearm and tapers from the Gedan Tsukagashir to the Ushiro Tsukagashira. The Monouchi is between 6 and 10 inches in length. It is sometimes upgraded to Kama-Yari (Spear with a hook blade) and the Kusari-Gama (Sickle and Chain)

The Kama is a hand-held sickle wich was used for rice harvesting. It can be found in Souther Asia and Japan.

Typically two Kama are used. Because of the Monouchi and the difficult techniques used, the Kama is considered an advance weapon. Great care and focus is required as well as many hours of practice.

The Kama is gripped at the Ushiro Tsukagashira not at the Moto. The Kama has two positions, open and closed. The open position is when the Kama is gripped like a hammer. The closed position is when the handle of the Kama rests along the forearm. The Kama rotates between the index finger and the thumb when going from the open and closed positions.

Eku

The Eku is made from hardwood. It is shorter than the Bo. In principle the Eku is the same height as the wielder. The Monouchi extends one-third the length of the Eku. The Monouchi has 4 surfaces, the Saki, 2 Yoko, a beveled edge, and a rounded face.

The Eku is uniquely Okinawan. The Eku was a common place oar put to deadly use by the Okinawan fishermen.

The Eku uses the techniques of the Bo. However, the Eku requires more skill because of the necessary wrist action needed to use the proper surface. Use of the Eku requires excellent knowledge of Bo techniques.

The grips for the Eku are similar to the ones for the Bo. The right hand grips the Eku at the Moto right behind the Monouchi. The left hand is about one shoulder width down from the right hand. Like the Bo the back hand generates the power and the front hand is used for guidance and control.

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