In Isshinryu, as in most Okinawan karate styles, the curriculum includes kobujutsu, the study of weapons. Three common weapons, the bo, the sai, and the tonfa, are taught in the Isshinryu kata.

      However, Bill Shank has studied a few other weapons, and our Isshinryu black belts often practice with several of these, listed below.

Bo

     The bo (staff) is one of the oldest and simplest weapons. When not used in combat, it was a walking staff, or a pole across the shoulders used to carry water buckets.

     Generally four to six feet long, and around one inch thick or so, the bo is usually made from oak or ash. Okinawan bo were often tapered at the ends for better speed, while Japanese bo tended to be heavier and of uniform thickness.

     The sai are heavy metal truncheons approximately 20 inches long, whose ends could be sharpened to vicious points. They are not edged, however, so they were used to either club or stab. Sai were usually used in pairs or in threes, the idea being that an extra sai could be thrown. They make excellent blocking and trapping tools, and could even break an opponent's weapon in two.

     Their origin is unclear. Some claim they were developed from a farm implement that dug trenches, much like a hoe. Others say their basic design can be traced back to short swords carried by dignitaries.

Sai

Tonfa

     Another weapon used in pairs, the tonfa (also known as tuifa) is a wooden club about 17 inches long, with a handle protruding 90 degrees from the side. The tonfa is thought to have originated as the handle on a grinding wheel.

     A tonfa can be spun by its handle to strike with the end of the shaft with great centrifugal force. Also, either end of the club can be used to punch forward. It's a handy blocking weapon as well. It requires strong forearms and wrists to control the tonfa effectively, but it's a very fast and durable weapon.

     The yawara stick is about 6 inches long. There are many different models of yawara, including metal ones, wooden ones, spiked, pointed, etc. It's basically a small self defense weapon that fits across the palm of your hand. You've probably seen these used as key chains.

     It can be used to deliver jabs to an opponent, with great penetration due to its small strike area. It can also be used for some great joint locks.

Yawara

Bokken

     The bokken is a wooden sword, shaped like the katana, only heavier.  It's used to practice sword techniques when real blades would be too dangerous.

     Bokken are made from different types of wood and have differing durability. The common red oak is inexpensive but tends to break with use, while white oak is more costly but much sturdier in use.

     Kama are short sickles, used in pairs. The bottom edge of the head is the cutting blade, and the weapon uses slashing or chopping attacks to injure an opponent.

     Some wielders attach cord to the handle ends to loop around the wrist, allowing the kama to be twirled quickly, and making it harder to disarm the kama user.

     The kusarigama is a kama on a long rope or chain, used as a distance weapon to entangle an attacker.

Kama

Katana

     The legendary katana is the famous sword of the samurai. The blade is razor-sharp on one edge, and is gently curved. It is used most often as a slicing or slashing weapon, although the tip is pointed for thrusts if needed.

     At approximately 4 feet in length, the jo is a shorter staff than the bo staff (above). The jo is also known as a hanbo, meaning "half staff".

     Jo techniques work well with common items such as walking canes, mops, and brooms, so are possibly some of the most useful self defense techniques to be familiar with. Any short pole or stick could be used as a jo in pinch.

Jo

Eku

     Actually a boat oar, this weapon was unique to Okinawa. It's used similarly to a bo to block and strike, only with the added ability to use the flat edge to flip sand or water into your opponent's eyes. The eku's edge, while not terribly sharp, can also deliver a cutting attack.

Yari