Okinawa, with a long history of both chinese and japanese suppression that also outlawed the possession of conventional weapons (such as swords),
developed a unique range of substitute weapons that became an integral part of
Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.
Many of these weapons were derived from farming tools.
There are
five traditional Okinawan weapons, the Bo, Kama, Nunchaku, Sai, and
Tonfa. Many Okinawan Karate styles include these five weapons in their training
to some degree. Training with these five weapons helps to develop similar
muscles as used in karate as well as hand-eye coordination and heightened
reflexes. Many of the striking and blocking techniques practiced in everyday
Karate can be easily adapted to use when armed with these weapons, making the
transition to training with these weapons relatively easy and most beneficial to
the karateka.
TRADITIONAL OKINAWAN KARATE WEAPONS
| Bo | 6 foot wooden staff |
| Han Bo | Short wooden staff |
| Kama | Sickles used as a pair |
| Nunchaku | Wooden sticks joined by a cord or chain |
| Sai | Fork-like metal weapon used as a pair |
| Tonfa | Wooden short stick with extra handle, used as a pair |
| |
| Shinai | Bamboo sword |
| Bokken | Wooden sword |
More martial arts weapons:
Wakizashi and
Tanto
One shortfall of all weapons (including knives, guns as well as
traditional martial arts weapons) is that you need to carry them with you at all
times for them to be of any practical self defense use - something that is almost impossible in everyday life.
No matter how good you are with your chosen weapon, if you
don't have it with you when you need it, it is useless.
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Karate Weapons
Karate Quiz
