Traditional Okinawan Weapons
Weapons of Okinawan Karate – Japanese Terms
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.