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Kobujutsu

Kobujutsu refers to the ancient martial arts from Okinawa and the rest of the Ryukyu archipelago, which focuses on the use of weapons, originally developed from farming tools and used along with unarmed karate techniques.

The ultimate goal of Kobujutsu in the style of Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozonshinkokai is to achieve complete control of body and mind through continuous training.

Ryukyu kobujutsu Hozonshinkokai (Society for Promotion and Preservation of Ryukyu Classical Martial Arts) is the organization that preserves and promotes the art of Ryukyu kobujutsu as handed down by Taira Shinken sensei, followed by Motokatsu Inoue sensei, and now Kisho Inoue sensei.

The genealogy of Ryukyu Kobujutsu traces its roots back to the 14th and 15th centuries during the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Key figures in this lineage are listed below.

  • Soeishi: A feudal lord in Shuri during the latter term of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
  • Chinen Shichanaka: A retainer of the Soeishi family and a student of Soeishi.
  • Abuyaya Yamashiro: Contemporary of Matsumura Sokon.
  • Yamani no Chinen: Contemporary of Itosu Yasutsune.
  • Yabiku Moden: A student of Yamani no Chinen who established the Ryukyu Kobujutsu Kenkyukai study group.
  • Taira Shinken: A student of Yabiku Moden who compiled 42 weapons kata and established the society for the preservation and promotion of Ryukyu Kobujutsu.
  • Gansho (Motokatsu) Inoue: A student of Seiko Fujita and Taira Shinken, who developed technical training systems and published books on traditional weapons kata.
  • Kisho Inoue: The eldest son of Gansho Inoue, currently devoted to preserving and promoting the system as President of Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai and Yuishinkai.

Weapons

The weapons used in Ryukyu Kobujutsu, listed below in the order that they are taught.

  • Bo
  • Sai
  • Tonfa
  • Nunchaku
  • Kama
  • Tekko
  • Tinbe
  • Surujin

The use of these weapons is taught through a series of kata, total of 42, which are prearranged forms that simulate combat situations, kihon (basic techniques), and bunkai (applications), which all are practiced in a systematic manner.

The kata are designed to teach the student the proper use of the weapon, as well as the principles of body movement, distancing, timing, and strategy.