Goshin Karate and Judo Academy periodicly offers weapons classes. These classes are independent from our regular classes and must be paid separately. Each class includes the weapon.
6245 E. Bell Rd. #120
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
480-951-2236
Bo Staff
A BO is an ancient Okinawan weapon, which measures approximately six feet. A bo is a very practical self-defense weapon, and an excellent weapon to develop the upper body coordination and strength.
At Goshin we teach how to hold a bo, basic offensive and defensive moves as well as a classical BO Kata, and its application.
The bo, or stick is probably one of the first weapons that mankind used to defend or hunt. It could easily be found, was not to difficult to handle, and could be used for multiple purposes. In
The bo varies in size and length, and the thickness of the bo-staff varies depending on the style of the martial art, but the fighter needs to comfortably make a tight fist around the staff, in order to block and counter an attacker. The length of the bo-staff also depends on the style of the martial art, although the most common is a few inches taller than the owner. A heavier bo-staff may be used for training in order to increase their strength and speed. In competition and performance, the martial artist usually uses a lighter one.
A bokken is used as a relatively safe substitute for a real blade in training for several martial arts. They are used in the early stages of training in iaido, when a practitioner has not yet reached the level where use of an iaito would be safe.
At Goshin we teach proper sword procedures, Drawing sword and sword katas, Eight directions of cutting and padded sword fighting.
There are also specially designed bokken made for sword drawing. Bokken are used for the practice of kendo; to learn to make proper strokes and get accustomed to the curvature of the blade, as well as to practice the kata. More than a few kata take advantage of the curvature of the blade and the presence of the tsuba, or hand guard, to block the opponent's sword. This is not possible with the straight "blade" of the shinai.
In the movie "The Last Samurai" the samurai and children train with bokken.
The sai is a weapon found predominantly in Okinawa (there is evidence of similar weapons in India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Sai are often believed to have originated as an agricultural tool used to measure stalks, plow fields, plant rice, or to hold cart wheels in place, though the evidence for this is limited.
At Goshin we teach proper handling and movement of the sai, as well as a kata and sai sparring.
The sai's utility as a weapon is reflected in it's distinctive shape. With skill, it can be used effectively against a long sword by trapping the sword's blade in the sai's tsuba. There are several different ways of wielding the sai in the hands, which give it the versatiltiy to be used both lethally and non-lethally.
The sai is the weapon of choice for Raphael in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". It can also be seen in Elektra, The Mummy Returns, and The Matrix Reloaded.
A nunchaku is two sections of wood connected by a cord or chain. Chinese nunchaku tend to be rounded, whereas the Japanese version has an octagonal cross-section. The ideal length of each piece should be the length of the user's forearm. Traditionally both ends are of equal length. The ideal length for the connection rope/chain is just enough to allow the user to lay it over his or her palm, with the sticks hanging comfortably and perpendicular to the ground. Weight balance is extremely important.
At Goshin we teach basic movements, and a nunchaku kata.
Nunchaku training has been noted to increase hand speed, correct posture, and condition the hands of the practitioner.
They can be seen in movies such as Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" and by Tyler Durden in "Fight Club".
The kama are Okinawan and Japanese weapons that resemble traditional farming devices similar to a scythe. Because the kama is a weapon with a blade and therefore incorporates a high degree of danger, it is somewhat different from other forms of kobudo weaponry.
At Goshin we train with dull blade kama for safety. Techniques include blocking and stabbing, thrusting, and cutting as well as a kata.
Escrima sticks are most commonly made from rattan. Hard and durable, yet light weight, it can be fire hardened. It shreds under only the worst abuse and will not splinter like other woods do.
Escrima sticks are made in many sizes depending on the system and the respective ranges being trained. Common lengths range from 6" to 96" with the most common ranging from 24" to 36".
The tonfa is a traditional Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived. The tonfa traditionally consists of two parts, a handle with a knob, and perpendicular to the handle, a shaft or baord that lies along the hand and forearm. The shaft is usually 20-24 inches long. Optimally it extends about 3cm past the elbow when held. Often the shaft has rounded off ends which may be grooved for a better grip.
The tonfa can be seen in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation", in the posession of Michaelangelo.