Okinawan Kobudo
Curriculum
Okinawan Kobudo is taught in a manner very similar to Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. Classes typically begin with warmups (Junbi Undo), proceed to fundamental techniques (Kihon Waza), and then move on to prearranged forms (Kata) and two-person fighting practice (Kumite).
There are fundamental techniques, forms, and fighting practices for all the weapons in the system:
- Bo (staff)
- Sai (truncheon)
- Tonfa (side-handle baton)
- Nunchaku (small thresher)
- Nunti-Bo (gaff)
- Eku (paddle)
- Kuwa (hoe)
- Kama (sickle)
- Tinbei (short sword & shield)
- Sansetsu-kon (three-section staff)
- Suruchin (weighted rope / bola)
- Jo (short staff)
- Kuruman-bo (large thresher)
- Cho-gama (staff-sickle)
- Tekko (knuckle-dusters)
- Tecchu (sharpened palm stick)
Available are seven kata for Bo, three for Sai, five for Tonfa, two for Nunti-bo, two for Kama, three for Sansetsukon, and one for each remaining weapon. Proficiency with Bo, Sai, and Tonfa are necessary to achieve Shodan (first-degree black-belt).
