Understanding the Practice: The Value of Ryukyu Kobudo
Kobudo literally means “ancient warrior way” or “old martial way” and refers to the classical weaponry methods developed in the Ryukyu kingdom. [1]
The significance of classical weapons training to the modern Okinawan Karate student may not be apparent at first glance. But training in Kobudo can have a profoundly positive impact on the development of the serious Karate practitioner.
People might wonder why a Karate practitioner in modern times would train with classical weapons. What is the meaning behind this obscure, seemingly antiquated practice? What is the value of studying classical weaponry?
Firstly, studying and training with classical Okinawan weapons can greatly enhance the unarmed skills of the Karate-ka (Karate practitioner). There are many parallels between the unarmed methods of Ryukyu martial arts and the Ryukyu weapon arts. Many of the same techniques can be seen in both. For example, while it is possible to arm-bar without weapons, you can also arm-bar with Tanbo (or Bo, or Jo, etc). Striking motions are also interconnected. Training in weaponry helps your empty-hand. For example, practicing Bo kata tends to help a person’s punching (and promotes a unified body movement), while Sai work can improve Tuite (as well as some striking aspects).
Another aspect to consider is that training in Kobudo offers many insights, attributes, and skill sets that are difficult to develop by practicing only empty-hand motions. Weapons training can improve the quality of a person’s grip, the strength of their grip, their hand articulation, and dexterity. Long-term weapons training can increase a person’s hand speed. Even in the short-term a change in hand speed is sometimes apparent. Also, the spatial and body awareness gained through weapons training cannot be easily understood by just doing empty-hand kata. The weapons are teaching tools, not just single-dimension blunt instruments.
Kobudo offers a unique way of developing more power, and as a form of strength training. Conventional weight training strengthens and builds muscles, but not necessarily in a way that improves a person’s Karate. (I should note that some students may benefit from weight training – it depends on the individual). Some forms of weight training can actually be detrimental to a Karate-ka’s movement and technique (overuse sometimes results in too much tension or tightness). There are ways of using weights and other tools to strengthen the body to enhance one’s Karate. But certain weight lifting methods can cause a person to form bad habits (in regards to Karate) and re-pattern their movement to be less effective and less efficient. Their movement may also become stiff and rigid, and deviate from ideal technique mechanics. This is especially true for beginners. If a Karate student supplements their study with weight training, it is advised that they proceed with thoughtfulness, being cognizant of the weight lifting movements they are using, and how they might influence their Karate movements or technique. Of course, Kobudo training does not have these potentially detrimental effects. In fact, it complements and supplements Karate training in powerful ways. By practicing with weapons, you are effectively “weight training” with your Karate practice. As many motions are correlated and similar, and sometimes identical, you are strengthening the motions and techniques used in your empty-hand kata and techniques by having the additional weight of a weapon.
Classical weapons training can greatly enhance one’s empty-hand (unarmed) skills, especially over the long-term. It can have a positive influence on your technique, as well as develop your body in unconventional ways – helping to build a “connected body” and improve balance and issuing of power, and also fluidity and many other useful aspects.
Training with classical weapons also has the added benefit of being able to effectively handle improvised weapons. For example, a Jo (4 foot staff) or Sanjakubo (3 foot staff) can be training substitutes for a cane or stick. Tanbo (short sticks) can also substitute for other weapons (such as a stick or baton, etc).
And then, of course, there is the preservation of a cultural and historical tradition. We are not only learning how to fight with weapons, or even improving our unarmed protection skills. We are carrying on a classical art, which has been passed down from teacher to student for many generations. We are keeping an art alive.
In addition to all this, I should state that Kobudo practice is an enjoyable aspect of training. It can be fun!
In the final analysis, no one can understand Kobudo by reading about it, or even watching it. You can only understand it by actually doing it. To understand Kobudo or Karate, like so many profound things, it is not enough to simply ponder or observe. Direct experience is a much stronger teacher.
[1] The term “Kobudo” is also separately used in reference to ancient martial arts of the Japanese mainland.
