All about Kobudo

Supplement your karate training with the practice of Okinawan kobudo. Intermediate level students enrolled in the program are educated on how to “extend” their life force and energy into an implement beyond their hands and feet with a series of staffs, single and dual handed weapons, and how these implements developed into tools of self defense in the ancient world.

What is Kobudo

Kobudo is a “catch all” phrase relating to ancient martial arts, and strategies the ancient people of Japan used to train, farm, and defend their life and property in feudal Japan.

in our program this includes Bojutsu, Jojutsu, Kenjutsu, and others.

I leave my students to independently learn about the history of these arts as a way to enhance their own practice and understanding of the artform. The path is a long and winding one, intertwined with the political and military landscape of ancient Japan, and it’s cycles of banning weaponry from the common class. I provide my students with reading material and resources to get them started on this journey. In short:

  • Bojutsu - the study of the long staff

  • Jojutsu - the study of the short staff

  • Kenjutsu - itself a term comprising the use of (in many styles) the sword.

With practice and experience, students will also learn about the fundamentals of the use of the sai, tonfa, ulisi, eku, Chinese broadsword and kama.

Looking for more information on these implements specifically? See our Kobudo Weapon Specification Guide

Staff Training (Bo & Jo)

  • basic handling & dexterity

  • strikes

  • blocks

  • kata

  • self defense

  • partner based contact training

Arnis & Escrima

  • basic handling & dexterity

  • strikes

  • blocks

  • kata

  • self defense

  • Partner based contact training

Sai & Tonfa

  • basic handling & dexterity with a 2 handed weapon

  • strikes

  • blocks

  • kata

  • self defense

Bokken (Practice Sword)

  • basic handling & dexterity

  • core postures & positions for offense & defense

  • strikes

  • blocks

  • kata (“cuts”)

  • self defense

  • partner based contact, timing and coordination drills

  • The art of drawing the sword

  • the basics of the art of kendo

Kobudo Content Focuses on

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming soon!