KOBUDO

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ANCIENT WEAPONS ART


It is a common belief and popular story that Okinawan farming tools evolved into weapons due to restrictions placed upon peasants by the Satsuma samurai clan in 1609 when the island was made part of Japan.  The Okinawans were forbidden to carry arms.  As a result, the Okinawans were defenseless and developed a fighting system around thier traditional farming implements.  It was this atmosphere that enabled the Okinawans to hone thier early karate-like arts and conduct a guerilla type war with the Japanese that lasted into the late 1800's.

THE  MOST COMMON OF THESE FARMING TOOLS / WEAPONS ARE;

BO    The Bo evolved from a pole lanced across the shoulders to carry water or other
          loads.  As a fighting instrument, it allowed blocking and striking against a range
          of weapons.    

SAI    The Sai is believed to originated from a pitchfork.  As a weapon, it was used in
          conjunction with various karate techniques, and defense against sword attacks.

KAMA    The Kama was originally used for cutting grass or sugar cane.  In close range 
                fighting, the sickle could be used to trap an opponen's weapon or for striking.

TONFA    Originally a bean or rice grinder handle, the Tonfa's cicular movements as a
                farm implement, evolved into rototating strikes as a weapon.  The side of the 
                Tonfa was used for blocking and the ends for direct punching.

NUNCHAKU    The Nunchaku was origially and agricultural tool used for threshing        
                         grain.  As a weapon, the two sticks connected at one end by rope,
                         could be used for spearing or striking and the horse hair rope could
                         choke, block or trap.



IAI-DO

THE ART OF DRAWING THE SWORD

THE WAY OF MENTAL PRESENCE AND IMMEDIATE REACTION


Iaido is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of the drawing the sword from it's scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing the blood from the blade, and replacing the sword in the scabbard.

Practioners of iaido are referred to as "iaidoka".

Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms or kata.

Iaido does include competition in form of kata but does not use sparring.  Because of this non-fighting aspect and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving zen".

An important part of iaido is "nukitsuke" or the life of iaido.  This is a very quick draw of the sword, accomplished by simultaneously drawing the sword from the saya and also moving the saya back into saya biki.

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