Essay: Karate equipment
It is important as martial artists that we punch and strike objects by making contact. Of course, Karate-ka are well-known for punching in the air. That is during Kihon and Kata training. Kihon refers to fundamental or foundational skills (“basics”) and Kata refers to solo movement patterns that are studied for their mechanics and applications (Oyo). The process or act of interpreting kata is referred to as Bunkai. During kata, we are able to practice proper form and mechanics – executing strikes at full speed and with power.
Although we do practice a lot of Kihon and Kata, if you want to take your Karate to a higher level and make it more functional, you must hit and make contact in your striking practice. There are many pieces of equipment that can facilitate this endeavor.
One of my personal favorite training tools is the Wooden Dummy. It is a versatile piece of equipment often seen in traditional Chinese martial arts. And our lineage (under Taika Seiyu Oyata) has a heavy and significant Tode (“Chinese hand”) influence. Oyata Sensei used a Wooden Dummy and even utilized a spinning version of the wooden dummy. You can use this piece of equipment similar to a makiwara (Okinawan punching post). The post of the wooden dummy can be wrapped with leather padding – so that you can practice punches and other strikes. The arms of the wooden dummy can be easily inserted and then techniques involving the opponent’s limbs can be utilized.
Probably the most famous training equipment that is Okinawan in origin is the Makiwara. Maki means “to roll” and wara means “straw”. The makiwara is traditionally a (usually tapered) wooden post with rice rope wrapped around the top. It’s also common to see a makiwara with a thin leather pad at the top. Oyata Sensei sometimes used makiwara that were not tapered.
Other useful pieces of Karate training equipment include heavy bags, BOB (“body opponent bag”) dummies, kicking shields, focus mitts, iron poles and sticks, and classical Okinawan weapons.
My first teacher (Jeff Runnels Sensei, a personal student of Oyata Taika) had several makiwara in his dojo. There were one or two standard makiwara, posts with rope wrapped around the top and lower sections. Then he had one makiwara that had two wooden poles sticking out from the front (one on the high line and one at the middle section). And another makiwara had a spring-loaded arm. I like the concept of the spring-arm makiwara. You could practice deflecting the arm or covering against it or striking it on your way to punching or hitting the main post.
I remember one of Runnels Sensei’s senior students having heavy iron Tanbo (short sticks). Years later, I would find a heavy 2-section iron pole that could be connected as a 4-foot stick (similar to a Jo or Yonshakubo) or taken apart as 2 Tanbo (short sticks).
One of Taika Oyata’s students used to sell heavy wooden Tanbo. Oyata Sensei even created some specific Tanbo flowing drills to be used with these heavy Tanbo. I also have used the heavy Tanbo (and iron Tanbo) to practice Tanbo Kihon. Tanbo Kihon is the first Tanbo kata that students in our art learn. Oyata Sensei taught 4 different Tanbo Kata.
Practicing with other weapons (such as the Sai) has a similar effect and benefit. The Sai practice can enhance our Tuite-jutsu (grappling-hand art/techniques) as well as Ate waza (striking techniques).
Another piece of equipment that I quite like is the Maki Age Kigu. Maki means to “roll” (as in Makiwara), and Age means “rising” or “to rise”. Kigu simply means tool.
The maki age kigu is an excellent tool for increasing strength in your hands, wrists, and forearms. It consists of a stick or bar with a strap or rope connected to it. At the bottom of the strap is a rock or weight. You perform a rolling action with your hands on the bar, with the goal of bringing the hanging weight up to the bar. The nice thing about the modern version is that you can easily vary the amount of weight you use by adding or removing weight plates at the bottom of the strap. This is good practice for Tuite-jutsu. Nowadays you can find Maki Age Kigu at places like Wal-Mart or Amazon.com (search for “wrist roller”).
Another tool that I very much enjoy is the focus mitts. These mitts can be worn by the instructor or sempai (senior) and the student practices hitting the mitts. You can practice punching with a good deal of power while the mitts are presented as targets for your punches. They can also be used for kicking techniques as well. The kicks on the mitts are generally not thrown at full power, but it’s still a great tool to enhance your striking & kicking practice. I was first exposed to focus mitts as a beginner at Runnels Sensei’s dojo. He had a focus mitt routine (combination) that he would have us do.
A piece of equipment that we sometimes use is the kicking shield. This large “pad” or shield is used to practice kicks and knee strikes (and perhaps some elbows) with power. It feels good to unload on the kicking shield.
Another fun training tool is a coordination bag. This consists of 3 foam pads/sticks that are connected to each other on a rope. When you hit one of the foam pads, the whole rope (and foam pads) swing around at random directions. Although they are not the same, this looks somewhat similar in design to a double-end bag in Western boxing.
Of course, the various classical weapons that we practice add a whole new layer to our training and attribute development as well. In our lineage of Ryukyu Kobudo, there are many weapons that we practice (approximately a dozen). Some of the weapons have one kata, while other weapons may have several.
So, kata and kihon training is extremely important in Karate. But if you want to be able to hit well, it’s also important to have some training in actually making contact. These training exercises and pieces of equipment can provide that valuable aspect to your training, with very little risk of injury.
Note: if you’re hitting the makiwara or wooden dummy, do not start at 100% power. You should be able to flex the makiwara with a push or pushing “punch”. I was told by Runnels Sensei for beginning makiwara training, place your fist on the rope/pad and drive forward with a pushing motion (rather than ‘hitting’). After a while, and slowly, you add power to the punch and gradually increase the space between your fist and the target area on the makiwara. Eventually you can build up your punching power. Use caution and take your time, especially with the makiwara.
Also, the Karate practitioner can condition their hands in other ways, besides using a makiwara (that is a secondary purpose to makiwara training – the first being developing structure and striking power). You can do relaxed hitting with different parts of your hand onto a striking target. The target could be a canvas bag full of rice, beans, or even metal pellets (bbs) for very advanced practitioners. Many years ago, I used to use a medium sized hanging bag filled with rice for punching and striking practice. The rice bag was hanging in one of our doorways by a pull-up bar.
I think that if you include hand conditioning in your practice, it’s good to use different parts of your hand – and not condition only the ideal “2 knuckles” placement/strike. Use the other knuckles, hammerfist, backfist, backhand, punch, ridge-hand, palm, and fingers. You can condition your whole hand, with all it’s different areas/parts. You can still focus on correct alignment/placement with the middle knuckle or index & middle knuckles in the majority of your striking practice. And I would advise that you proceed slowly with the conditioning training – building up resilience, technique, and “strength” (durability) over time. You don’t need to rush the process.
With that understood, and with some common sense in practice, a Karate-ka can benefit greatly by utilizing these training tools, without injuring oneself. For most people, and certainly for beginners, focus mitts and shields suffice. I recommend makiwara training and wooden dummy training (as well as hand conditioning) primarily for more advanced students.
From my perspective, training injury free is of paramount importance. We’re looking for longevity in the arts. As Oyata Sensei used the term “Life-Protection Arts”, we want to preserve and protect our life (and our well-being). Winning a street fight is not the only meaning of self-defense. We are supposed to take care of ourselves, so that we can train our whole lives, and be there for our families and contribute to a better world.
