What is Kobudo

Okinawan Kobudo (Ancient Weapon Arts) is the study of so called "karate weapons". The Okinawan people developed a system of self defense using farming and fishing implements. This rare ancient practice has developed into the beautiful art form known as Kobudo. Kobudo traditions were shaped by indigenous Okinawan techniques that arose within the Aji, or noble class, and by imported methods from China, Indonesia and the other countries that traded with Okinawa. Less | More On Kobudo

Origins

In 1429, Sho Hashi united the island of Okinawa and founded the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. During the 14th to 16th centuries, a period known as the "Golden Age of Trade", the Kingdom flourished as a trade center for China and other nations. However, trade vessels were constantly threatened by Japanese pirates and the Okinawa sailors needed to protect themselves while in foreign lands.

Around 1580, Toyotomi Hideyoshi stated laws again that prohibited the possession or the carrying of weapons, in order to restore peace and bring some sort of prosperity to a resource poor Ryukyuan kingdom. It helped to prevent unnecessary loss of life among the people and was a deterrent to insurrection and civil wars. But that left the peasants of Okinawa more or less defenseless against the Samurai, which were the only ones allowed to carry weapons. Although the empty hand techniques developed on the battlefields were very effective and refined, they were not so for use in massive defense or offense operations. In 1609, the Satsuma Samurai Clan attacked and swept the Okinawan defenses. The islanders used turtle shields and short stabbing daggers, but they were of very little use against horse backed, sword carrying samurai or bows. The only instruments the farmers had were their simple farming tools. The unique martial arts of Okinawan karate and Kobudo were born from this background. Over long years, the techniques of Chinese and South East Asian martial arts were incorporated into Okinawa Karate and Kobudo to establish the forms known today. The Chinese methods were a combination of techniques with empty hands and with weapons.

Stick techniques were already used by some Okinawan peasants who had to protect themselves against pillagers. Some new weapons were made using as example tools used from peasants, for instance the Nunchaku and the Tonfa or the Kama which was the unique tool with a metal part used at that time. Varied distinct styles emerged during the heyday of the Ryukyuan kingdom: Shuri-te forms were centered in the Ryukyuan capital of Shuri, Naha-te in the commercial center of Naha, and Tomari-te in the Tomari district located between the first two. Each style had its distinguished masters who established the traditions preserved to our present day. The techniques of Karate and Kobudo were, by their nature, to be kept from the uninitiated.