Kobudo (Japan) is the collective name for the more modern (from around 1900 onward) forms of the classical Japanese martial art from the island of Okinawa. Contrary to popular belief, the weapons used in Kobudo were not derived from farming tools. Farmers did not have the time or energy to learn how to use tools for martial arts. Moreover, a civilian using this kind of tool would not be able to accomplish much against a trained professional fighter with real weapons. Kobudo was shaped by carefully developed techniques used within the Aji (the nobility), as well as techniques adopted from various Chinese martial arts.
Weapons used in Kobudo:
- Bo: 183 cm staff
- Sai: small trident with the middle “prong” considerably longer than the other two
- Nunchaku: two (wooden) sticks connected by a chain
- Kama: wooden weapon shaped like a sickle
- Tonfa: 45 cm stick with a short handle positioned at a right angle to it
- Katana: sword
- Handbo: wooden stick approximately the same length as a katana, but without a sword-like shape
- Tambo: 45 cm stick (short bo)
