History of Kobudo

HISTORY OF KOBUDO

It's hard to account for the true development of the Okinawa Kobudo, almost all written documents were destroyed during the fighting's, bombings and the outbreaks of fires that followed during the second world war. It's seem that from the 12th. till early 14th century, was the best period to develop and perfect martial arts combat techniques, due to lots of internal and continuous warfare.

In 1429, Sho Hashi united the island and founded the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. Between the 14th. to the 16th. century, the Kingdom flourished as a trade centre for China and other nations, this period was known as the "Golden Age of Trade". Unfortunately the trade vessels were under constant threats and attacks by Japanese pirates forcing the Okinawan sailors to find forms and ways to protect themselves.

Around 1580, Toyotomi Hideyoshi stated laws prohibiting the possession any type of weapons, in order to restore peace in the to the Ryukyuan kingdom. The establishment of this law helped to prevent loss of lives among the common peoples, but that left them defenseless against the Samurais warriors, which were the only ones allowed to carry weapons.

In 1609, the Satsuma Samurai Clan attacked and defeated the Okinawan defenses. The islanders could not defend themselves against horseman samurais carrying swords and bows. The farmer's only instruments of defense were their farming tools. The Okinawan karate and kobudo were developed from this background.

It was not until the Meiji restoration Era (halfway the 19th century) following the dissolution of the kingdom and the annexation of Okinawa as a prefecture in 1879 that the Karate and Kobudo were incorporated into the Meiji public education system.

During the Taisho Era (1910-1926), demonstrations were made throughout mainland Japan, and in the early Showa years of the different schools: Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. Today, there are many more sub-schools (ryuha) and factions (kaiha). Each of them with its own distinctive kata derived from the basic movements (kihon kata) common to all schools as the systematization of techniques of attack and defense.

The modern Kobudo was founded by Shinko Matayoshi (1888-1947), born in the Naha region from a wealthy family. His kobujutsu training began in his early teens and included kobujutsu, kamajutsu, ekujutsu, tonfajutsu and nunchakujutsu. At the age of 22, he ventured into Manchuria by way of northern Japan. There he joined a team of mounted bandits and learned several other weapons arts, including the bow and arrow, all from horseback making them unique from other Okinawan Kobujutsu styles. Later, after returning to Okinawa, he traveled to Fuchow and Shanghai were he learned even more weapons arts in addition to acupuncture, herbal medicine and another form of Shaolin boxing.

Shinko Matayoshi, along with Gichin Funakoshi, was the first to publicly demonstrate Okinawan kobudo to mainland Japan in 1915. With the 1921 royal visit of Emperor Hirohito on Okinawa, Master Matayoshi performed kobudo at a demonstration with Naha-te master Chojun Miyagi.

Shimpo Matayoshi (1922-1997), Hanshi 10th Dan, son of Master Shinko Matayoshi, started his martial arts training at age 8 under Chotoku Kyan. Upon his father’s return in 1934, began to train in karate and kobudo under his father’s tutelage. In 1935, he began studying with Gokenki, learning the same Hakutsuru (White Crane Chaun' fa) that his father had been taught. Upon his father’s death, he continued the legacy and assumed the teaching responsibilities.

In 1970, he formed the All Okinawa Kobudo Federation (Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei) and until his untimely death in 1997 was the technical advisor for all Okinawan Kobudo styles. He was also one of the last surviving students to learn to rare Hakutsuru directly from an authentic Chinese master. In his travels demonstrating his unique style of Kobudo, he was constantly besieged to demonstrate the Hakutsuru, which he never taught openly to anyone. His knowledge of the elusive Crane was unparalleled.

KOBUDO WEAPONS

The use of the stick were already in use by okinawan travelers who had to protect themselves against thief. Some new weapons were made using as example tools used on the farms (Nunchaku, Tonfa and the Kama).

A varied styles emerged during Ryukyuan kingdom: the Shuri-te forms were centered in the Ryukuan capital of Shuri, the Naha-te in the commercial centre of Naha, and the Tomari-te in the Tomari district located between the first two. Each style had its distinguished master who established the traditions preserved to our present day. Each of these masters techniques were to be kept secret were conveyed only through personal oral transmission from masters to disciples.

NUNCHAKU

As all other okinawan weaponry, the origin of this weapon is obscure. Some say it has a Chinese origin, others say it was developed from a horsebit, but it seems like it was used by peasant to beat the rice. It probably came into action somewhere in the 16th century, like saï, tonfa, etc. The nunchaku is made out of 2 sticks, usually from hard wood, and connected with a rope (from the horse tail hair) or a chain. Its sticks vary in length, size and weight, so does the length of the connection between them.

The usual length of the nunchaku is the measurement of your forearm but it is up to your personal preference to make it as long as you want.

The nunchaku stick is divided into 3 parts:

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the upper part (jokon-bu),

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top of the stick is called kontoh and the rope passes through the hole (ana)

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the middle part (chukon-bu)

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lower-part (kikon-bu)

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bottom of the nunchaku is called kontei

There are variations of the nunchaku.

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The Chinese type with a round stick nunchaku, or maru gata nunchaku.

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The Japanese type with an octagonal stick (8 sides). This nunchaku is called hakabukei nunchaku.

Also there are different types of nunchaku:

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One long stick and a short stick, which is called so setsu kon nunchaku. It should prevent you from hitting your own hand when you miss a hit.

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The han kei nunchaku is made out of 2 halves of a stick which fit nicely together and makes it easy to carry.

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The san setsu kon nunchaku is the 3 sectional staff. The sticks may vary in size. Sometimes, the middle one is a little shorter than the outer ones. Another variation has one normal stick, and the other side 2 shorter sticks.

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The yon setsu kon nunchaku is made out of 4 sticks: long piece/short piece/rope/short piece/ long piece.

The bo, or long staff was probably one of the first weapons mankind used to defend or hunt. It could be easily found, not to difficult to handle and could be used for multiple purposes.

In Okinawa, the bo originated from a farm tool called tenbin. It is a staff held across the shoulders used to carry fish or water buckets among other uses. Another possible origen came from the walking staffs monks and travelers used to ease hiking and eventually defend themselves.

The various techniques developed and executed with the bo, were probably developed very early in history, and probably refined after the Heian Era (around 1127 AD).

TONFA

The tonfa was another of the farm tools used for preparing grain, preparing the ground for planting potatoes and then pushing it into the ground. The main part of the tonfa, the shaft, consists of a large hardwood body, about 50 to 60 centimeters in length, and a smaller cylindrical grip secured at a 90 degrees angle to the shaft, about 15 centimeters from one end.

SAI

Was another of the farm instrument developed for protection. Usually are used in pairs with a third in the obi (belt) as a replacement after one saï was thrown at the enemy.

Originally, the saï was made out of 2 separate parts: the stem and the curved prongs. These 2 parts were then pounded together in a process similar to that used by sword smiths. Around late 19th century, another method was used. A finished saï would serve to create a saï shaped cavity in the ground. Molten iron was poured into this shape, producing a perfect twin of the first saï when the iron had hardened. Rough edges were removed and afterwards the saï was polished. The stem of the saï should cover the complete forearm, to guarantee full protection when countering an attack. The butt of the handle can have various shapes ans can be used in the same way as a bullet.

Another version of the saï, called jutte or jitte was a weapons used by the Japanese police. It is smaller than the saï and has only one prong.

KAMA

The kama was a tool used to cut weeds and bring in the crop. It was a very simple but very sharp and potentially deadly weapon. Its structure however made it very weak when attacked with heavy blows directly to the blade.

Therefore, there has been a redesign of the weapon, which is called natagama. It is stronger in its construction, because the blade runs through past the curve of the normal kama and all the way down into the handle. This makes the cutting edge bigger, and above all, the previous weak point where the sickle was attached to the stick has disappeared.