Matayoshi Kobudo Weapons
BO-JUTSU: Bo is the first weapon that students are introduced to when they begin training in Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan because it is the foundation of the system. The Bo was probably the most inconspicuous weapons of all because in daily life it was just a pole to carry loads on the shoulders. The practice of Bo involves training in kihon or basic techniques, kata or pre-arranged imaginary fight, kumi or sparring, and bunkai or applications. Each one of these training elements are equally important and all of them are very interrelated with each other. Even though there are different sizes of Bo the most commonly used and known is the roku shaku Bo which is almost 6 feet. Besides the 6 foot Bo, there are 3 feet and 4 feet Bo as well as long ones ranging from 8 feet to 9 feet to 13 feet.


SAI-JUTSU: Sai is the second weapon that students are taught in Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan. This is one of the few weapons in Matayoshi Kobudo that came to Okinawa as a weapon rather than as an agricultural or fisherman tool as many of the Matayoshi Kobudo weapons were initially developed. As the Bo, this weapon training involves the practice of kihon, kata, kumi and bunkai. The length of the Sai is determined by the length of the forearm of the practitioner. The main purpose is to have a Sai with such a length that if the practitioner is holding the Sai in his hand the tip of the Sai will be just a little bit longer than the elbow.

TUNKUA-JUTSU: Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan practitioners will be introduced to Tunkua as their third weapon. Even though at the Kodokan the name Tunkua is used, this weapon is also known by other names such as Tonfa, or Tuifa. This weapon originated from an ordinary household utensil, a handle for a mortar or a hand mill. As the Bo and the Sai, this weapon training also involves the practice of kihon, kata, kumi and bunkai. The way to determine the length of the Tunkua is very similar to the Sai which means that it is determined by the length of the forearm of the practitioner. As the practitioner holds the Tunkua by the handle it should be placed against the forearm; the total length of the Tunkua should be just a little bit longer than the elbow.

NUNCHAKU-JUTSU: This weapon is the fourth
that practitioners of Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan are introduced to. Officially the Kodokan curriculum includes the practice of kata and kata bunkai for this weapon. Originally this weapon was as the Tunkua, an ordinary household utensil. This utensil was used to smash grain and/or to peel off the bark of the Abaca or banana tree for weaving. This weapon, a difference from the Sai or Tunkua where the length of the forearm of the practitioner defines its size, does not have a specific way to measure it. The most common Nunchaku is formed by two lengths of 14” octagonal wood tied together by a rope.

 

OTHER WEAPONS OF MATAYOSHI KOBUDO:

Nunti
Eku
Kuwa
Tinbe
Kama
Sansetsu Kon
Suruchin
Tekko