Kobudō means ancient martial way. Kobudō once referred to all of the Okinawan martial arts, including both weapons and the empty-handed techniques of punching, kicking and grappling. It now refers to the study of the ancient weapons of Okinawa. The weapons of kobudō are not the sword and spear of the samurai of Japan. Most of the weapons were farming and fishing implements. The familiar old story goes that farmers and fishermen picked up their tools and fought against Japanese invaders. Not so on several counts.

The Origin of Kobudo

It is not accurate to call the fighting arts of Okinawa martial arts. The weapons of kobudō were never intended for use as weapons of war. Rather, they were used for personal development and self defense. While the Japanese did invade Okinawa, it was not until 1609, hundreds of years after the earliest use of tools as weapons. Never having trained in the arts of war, the warriors of Okinawa resisted the Japanese invaders but quickly fell to their superior forces.

Why Practice Kobudo in Modern Times?

You often hear the claim that karate is more practical than kobudō because you can’t carry your weapons around with you.  True, the martial artist does not carry his weapons but in a pinch anything can become a weapon: a rock, a cane, an umbrella, a walking stick, a pen.  A martial artist should always think how he could use the objects around him as a weapon, and how he would defend himself if the objects were used against him.

Like two halves of the same coin, karate and kobudō are one.  The skills are truly complementary. It is said that if two martial artists are equally skilled, the martial artist who knows weapons has the advantage in a fight. Because kobudō was designed for personal defense, the techniques of kobudō are just as relevant today as they were in 1609.

The Future of Kobudo

Once almost forgotten, kobudō today is enjoying increasing popularity. Because it is entertaining to watch and just plain fun to practice, the practical aspects of kobudō are in danger of being lost as kobudō gains in popularity.

The Weapons of Koburyu Kobudo