Kobudo katas

Posted in Kobudo
[ig_special_heading heading_type=”1″ heading_style=”default” heading_align=”textalignleft” animation_loading=”no” animation_loading_effects=”fade_in” padding_bottom_heading=”30″]Bo (棒)[/ig_special_heading]

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).  This kata has no hand/grip changes in it and is said to be more realistic for fighting.

[ig_special_heading heading_type=”1″ heading_style=”default” heading_align=”textalignleft” animation_loading=”no” animation_loading_effects=”fade_in” padding_bottom_heading=”30″]Sai (釵)[/ig_special_heading]
  • Dai Ichi Sai (Nicho Sai)
  • Dai Ni Sai (Sancho Sai)
  • Shinbaru No Sai (Matayoshi No Sai)
[ig_special_heading heading_type=”1″ heading_style=”default” heading_align=”textalignleft” padding_bottom_heading=”0″ animation_loading=”no” animation_loading_effects=”fade_in”]Tunkua (柺)[/ig_special_heading]
  • Tunkua Dai Ichi
  • Tunkua Dai Ni (Demonstration Kata)
  • Tunkua Dai San (Dojo Kata)
  • Sendi No Tonkua
[ig_special_heading heading_type=”1″ heading_style=”default” heading_align=”textalignleft” padding_bottom_heading=”0″ animation_loading=”no” animation_loading_effects=”fade_in”]Nunchaku (ヌンチャク)[/ig_special_heading]
  • Nunchaku Sandan (Matayoshi No Nunchaku)
  • Nunchaku Waza (Junbi Undo for Nunchaku)
Posted on By Mike and Laura Sywyk