Weapons of Ju-Jitsu/Kobudo
Weapon work in Ju-Jitsu is reserved for Dan grades i.e.
- Nunchaka / Tonfa / Katana / Bo / Jo / Sai = 2nd Dan
- Kama / Naginata / Hojo-Jitsu = 3rd Dan
Tonfa |
The tonfa is derived from the handles of a millstone. Once again it is probable that farmers made fighting weapons that resembled true millstone handles to such a degree that they were undetected throughout the era of weapon prohibition. The wooden handles were held, while the long shaft was swung and flailed at the attacker, then brought along the forearm to block attacks. The techniques were used in the same manner as Okinawate. For uke (blocking) the shafts of the tonfa were used along the arms; tsuki (punching) made use of the tonfa end; |
|---|---|
Naginata
|
A pole arm with a single, curved blade on one end, is employed with sweeping, circular motions and, as an extension of the wielder, channels energy in a harmonious display of beauty and precision. The Naginata is a weapon with a rich history, utilized and refined from the Nara Period (710-784 A.D.) to today. Employed initially by the Bushi, it later found itself the specific weapon of the Sohei or Buddhist monks. It is the school of the spear and, as such, is a shafted weapon. The length of its oval shaft varied, from 5' to 8', depending on battle conditions and personal requests. The most striking feature, however, was the blade; it could be anywhere from 10 inches to more than 2 feet, and was sharpened on a single side, fashioned in the manner of either Sakizori or Uchizori. As with most shafted weapons, it was most devastating when utilizing sweeping, circular motions. However, thrusts with the blade and also the heavy Ishizuki on the butt end were acceptable tactical alternatives. |
Sai
|
The Sai were not indigenous to the Ryukyu Islands . They were probably imported from China via the Fukien trade route. It is probable that in the search for arms by government officials, they did not seem like weapons among farming and fishing tools. They weapon itself has many names and is common throughout the Far East . Sai were used in pairs and may have been introduced to Okinawa as weapons of Chinese martial arts, then later taken and adapted by the Ryukyu styles.The shaft and tines of the sai were used to block, strike and ensnare enemy weapons. Sometimes an extra sai was carried in the belt as a backup. The shaft of the weapon was never bladed, which would have made any reversing action in order to strike with the hilt, or block with the shaft, along the forearm, completely impossible. If the sai were used for thrusting to any depth into the enemy's body, because of suction it would be very difficult to withdraw the weapon, which would render it useless. This may be another reason why an extra sai was carried. |
Kama
|
Originaly a farming tool to weed plants. Because the farmers were not allowed to carry weapons they used their tools to defend themselves. This weapon is most know for its use by ninjas |
Nunchaka |
Originally this was a wooden flail used to crush rice and consisted of two unequal lengths of hardwood connected by a cord made of horse hair. The modern Nunchaku have octagonal (hakkakukei) or round (maru-gata) wooden handles of equal length connected by a length of rope or chain. A vine (kanda) can also be used as a longer connector, in order to bind an opponent's head and hands together in an "Okinawan Handcuff." Matayoshi Kobudo instruction includes nunchaku with one handle half the length of the other, both handles half the normal size, three-sectioned and four-sectioned. The han-kei nunchaku, with the circumference of the handles halved, is designed for easier carrying and concealment, as both handles fit together smoothly The Nunchaku can be wielded with tremendous velocity in striking and are also valuable in parrying attacks from other weapons. |
![]() |
Art of Tying Up. Methods of binding an adversary with cord or rope, quickly and effectively, formerly used by the ninja and still used today by the Japanese police. |
Staffs & Sticks
| The BO | A large staff (about 2 M) used as a self defense weapon by the common peoplewho were not allowed to carry weapons. |
|---|---|
| The JO | A shorter staff (about 1.35 M) also used as a selfdefense weapon by the common people. |
| The Keibo | A small stick (about 35 cm) used for fighting in small area's. |
| The Ebo | A very small stick (about 15 cm) perfect as a defense weapon and easy to carry around. |
Swords
![]() |
![]() |
|---|---|
| Katana | Not just a weapon, but the soul of bushi. It is the most sophisticated form of the beauty of killing. The more beautiful it is the more deadly sharpness it has. Katana are distinguished from broadswords for the extremely sharp edge and the slightly curved blade. The beauty of a katana appears on its blade and edge. Its grace form and grim beauty has been fascinating many warriors. |
| Wakizashi | Shorter than the Katana (about 68 cm), this sword was worn indoors by the Samurai, because the Katana was too long to fight in small rooms. |
| Tanto | This is a small Japanese knife from the same steel as the Katana and the Wakizashi. This knife was sometimes worn instead of the Wakizashi. |



