Okinawan kubudo

[Xue Sheng96]

I found a class that is teaching Okinawan Kubudo, I have always been interested in these weapons. Also has Iaijutsu, which is also of interest.

Not sure what to look for here, looking for insight. I am waiting for them to get back to me, asked a couple questions.

But if legitimate, this will make retirement great…. Saturday and Monday, Wing Chun, Tuesday morning push hands, evening taijiquan, Wednesday and Thursday kubodo and iaijutsu…. That will keep me moving and busy.

I was hoping to get into aikido, but I have concerns about my shoulder and falling and joint locking.

Also, Mrs Xue is against me doing aikido, she watched our daughter for many years and is convinced I Wii get hurt. But things she hasn’t seen are ok; wing chun, JKD, and Kobudo and iaijutsu might be ik, because she has never seen them

 

[Xue Sheng96]

Also, Mrs Xue is against me doing aikido, she watched our daughter for many years and is convinced I Wii get hurt. But things she hasn’t seen are ok; wing chun, JKD, and Kobudo and iaijutsu might be ok, because she has never seen them.

 

[punisher731]

Probably just some good ol' fashioned "google-fu" to see what organization they belong to or who they learned from.

At least in my limited experience, I haven't seen anyone advertising as "kobudo" that were teaching flashy tournament non-traditional stuff.

 

[isshinryuronin]

At least in my limited experience, I haven't seen anyone advertising as "kobudo" that were teaching flashy tournament non-traditional stuff.

According to the web, the "ko" in kobudo means "ancient." This eliminates any reference to modern flashy high entertainment weapon exhibition/forms. In popular terms, kobudo refers to traditional Okinawan weapons mostly for civilian use.

 

[punisher731]

According to the web, the "ko" in kobudo means "ancient." This eliminates any reference to modern flashy high entertainment weapon exhibition/forms. In popular terms, kobudo refers to traditional Okinawan weapons mostly for civilian use.

100% agree. But, I have also seen terms being used for marketing purposes because most people don't know what they are actually getting. So, a place may advertise "traditional" X and it is nothing but that.

Also, actual kobudo (at least in the US) isn't a widespread thing so it is usually much easier to trace someone's lineage to a legitimate teacher

 

[Xue Sheng96]

Thanks

I am hoping for traditional and not XMA, and that is my concern, is it what it says it is.

Hopefully my shoulder recovers and I can check it out next month. I got interested in the associated weapons many years ago, about the same time I got interested in Xingyiquan (early 70s), even bought a set of Sai, that I still have...collecting dust. I did not discover until much later they were Okinawan, well, the staff (Bo) is from multiple cultures.

But I was just searching for MA possibilities for my retirement and much to my surprise found Kobudo, so I will check it out and let folks know

 

[isshinryuronin]

While Okinawan karate kobudo centers on the sai, bo (and its cousin, eku (oar), tonfa, kama and nunchuku, as a separate art it can include the short spear and shield, weighted chain, brass/spiked knuckles and a couple other esoteric weapons.

Also, actual kobudo (at least in the US) isn't a widespread thing so it is usually much easier to trace someone's lineage to a legitimate teacher

The major lineages/schools of kobudo are Matayoshi, Yamani and Ryuuku and a couple others I can't remember right now.

Hopefully my shoulder recovers and I can check it out next month. I got interested in the associated weapons many years ago, about the same time I got interested in Xingyiquan (early 70s), even bought a set of Sai, that I still have...collecting dust. I did not discover until much later they were Okinawan, well, the staff (Bo) is from multiple cultures.

Actually, the sai are generally thought to have originated in China, though I've not seen them used by any CMA. It's interesting that they are used in some FMA but wielded differently, reflecting the typical FMA flow. While the bo as used in Okinawa was introduced from China, it's much more linear with less twirling and more direct striking. It's not as pretty, but that's never been a concern in traditional kobudo.

But I was just searching for MA possibilities for my retirement and much to my surprise found Kobudo, so I will check it out and let folks know

It's helpful to be familiar with basic Okinawan karate, but it can be done as a separate discipline. You'll need to set aside your CMA concepts and mindset. Good luck, kobudo is a fun sidetrack to TMA.

 

[Xue Sheng96]

Actually, the sai are generally thought to have originated in China, though I've not seen them used by any CMA. It's interesting that they are used in some FMA but wielded differently, reflecting the typical FMA flow. While the bo as used in Okinawa was introduced from China, it's much more linear with less twirling and more direct striking. It's not as pretty, but that's never been a concern in traditional kobudo.

the iron ruler 鐵尺 Tiě chǐ. This is from theQing Dynasty, but the alleged origin is Warring states period

Blade part is flat... not round like the sai
This I found out, long after I found out the Sai was an Okinawan Kobudo weapon

It's helpful to be familiar with basic Okinawan karate, but it can be done as a separate discipline. You'll need to set aside your CMA concepts and mindset. Good luck, kobudo is a fun sidetrack to TMA.

Thank you... I have been wondering about the differences in mindset, training and application..

 

[Xue Sheng96]

It's helpful to be familiar with basic Okinawan karate, but it can be done as a separate discipline. You'll need to set aside your CMA concepts and mindset. Good luck, kobudo is a fun sidetrack to TMA.

I have been thinking about this, and it has me wondering. Could you explain the difference between the CMA concepts and mindset and that of kobudo? I think I may have some idea, but I am not 100% sure. Since it has been about 53 years since I trained a Japanese style, and 48 years since I trained a officially Korean style. all the rest is CMA.

 

[isshinryuronin]

I have been thinking about this, and it has me wondering. Could you explain the difference between the CMA concepts and mindset and that of kobudo? I think I may have some idea, but I am not 100% sure. Since it has been about 53 years since I trained a Japanese style, and 48 years since I trained a officially Korean style. all the rest is CMA.

Okinawan kobudo, like karate, is less flowing than most kung fu. It is more direct striking, a "hard" style. In fact, if you do a weapons kata without the weapons, just using the motions, it will look like a weird karate kata.

 

[Xue Sheng96]

Well, this is now on hold…. Shoulder is getting worse, might need surgery, but I won’t know until I get to the second opinion MD appointment, which is in September.

Currently can’t even do any taijiquan dao forms at the moment. And that is with the light dao.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Well, this is now on hold…. Shoulder is getting worse, might need surgery, but I won’t know until I get to the second opinion MD appointment, which is in September.

Currently can’t even do any taijiquan dao forms at the moment. And that is with the light dao.

That's too bad. Hope things turn around. The good news is that you can practice either one even without working your shoulder. You can practice the footwork and body motion and just visualize the arm motion, that being only the last main step in the chain of technique execution. No excuses .