Kobudo Kata

 

 WEAPONS OF THE OKINAWA KOBUDO DOUSHI Rensei-kai 

     The following is a list of the most important weapons taught today in the OKINAWA KOBUDO DOUSHI Rensei-kai system. 
The practice of some of these weapons is limited to certain rank or seniority of the practitioners within the system.
Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Ieku, Nunti, Kama, Tekko, Tinbei, Sansetsukon, Kuwa, Suruchin

 

Sensei Neil Stolsmark and Mr. Long training on the beach in Okinawa with Gakiya Sensei 2001.

Bo:

Shushi No Kun, is the base kata for the system. This kata is common to most Okinawan kobudo systems, in slightly different iterations. It is said to come from a Chinese expert named Shushi, who came to Okinawa in the early 1800’s and lived in Naha (Fred Lohse, 2008).

Choun No Kun, is said to have been made about 250 years ago by a Tomari warrior named Choun, which means roughly “ending the morning mist”. It is also practiced in Yamane Ryu and some Taira linage schools (Fred Lohse, 2008).
 

Sakugawa No Kun, is also common on Okinawa in various versions, and is said to be named for its creator, “Tode” Sakugawa, a famous Okinawan martial artist. Matayoshi Shinko learned it from Chinen Yamane. Matayoshi Shinko also taught a second Sakugawa no kon, Ufugushiku no Sakugawa, which is very similar to the main version, and was created by Oshiro Chojo (Fred Lohse, 2008).

Tsuken No Kun (Chikin No Kun), is named for the island it comes from, Tsuken Jima and is said to be over 400 years old. It is also said to have been passed on by Tsuken Oyakata Seisoku, compiled on the island, and to contain reverse techniques and techniques countering a spear. Matayoshi Shinko learned it from Gushikawa Teragua (Fred Lohse, 2008).

Shiishi No Kun, is the last kata formally taught in the system. It is also taught in some Taira lineage schools, and is sometimes called Sueyoshi no kon. It is named for its creator, though a stone reference in the name also refers to the technique of tossing small stones with the feet that is contained in the kata, and is said to be over 300 years old. It was supposedly created by Shishi Oyakata, a martial arts instructor to the Ryukyu king, and passed down only to members of the royal family and the eldest son of the Shishi family. Matayoshi Shinko learned it from Shishi Ryoko (Fred Lohse, 2008).

Ufutun-Bo, a village form. Its name refers to a militia, and is said to have been made by a garrison commander at Urasoe castle. It may also have been influenced by local bo dances (Fred Lohse, 2008).

Sai:

Dai Ichi Sai (Nicho Sai)

Dai Ni Sai (Sancho Sai)

Shinbaru No Sai (Matayoshi No Sai)

Tunkua:

Tunkua Dai Ichi

Tunkua Dai Ni (Demonstration Kata)

Tunkua Dai San (Dojo Kata)

Nunchaku:

Nunchaku Sandan (Matayoshi No Nunchaku)

Nunchaku Waza (Junbi Undo for Nunchaku)

Nunchaku Waza:

 

  1. Let go of nunchaku with left hand, strike downwards.
  2. Catch it behind the right arm.
  3. Switch sides without letting go.
  4. Switch sides without letting go.
  5. Let go with left hand and strike downwards.
  6. Strike across.
  7. Catch behind the right arm.
  8. Catch behind the left arm.
  9. Catch behind the right arm.
  10. Hold nunchaku with both hands in front of you.
  11. Figure 8 with the right hand and catch under the armpit.
  12. Figure 8 with the left hand and catch under the armpit.
  13. Catch behind the left arm.
  14. Catch behind the right arm.
  15. Hold nunchaku with both hands in front of you.
  16. Hit up high (temple).
  17. Hit up high (mouth).
  18. Hit up high (neck).
  19. Put behind the right arm with out letting go.
  20. Catch behind the back.
  21. Catch behind the back.
  22. Catch behind the left arm.
  23. Catch behind the right arm.
  24. Hold nunchaku with both hands in front of you.
  25. Let go with left hand (strike low) and go out into front stance.
  26. Put and catch nunchaku around the neck.
  27. Remove nunchaku from behind the neck by pulling them over the head.
  28. Hooking movement with both hands - Blocking with string. 
  29. Punch forward (with both hands).
  30. End with nunchaku into front of you in side stance.Double butt end strike - KIAI!