A Sea-going Fisherman’s Oar

イエーク

The ieku is a fisherman’s oar.  An oar could be carried in public without it appearing to be a weapon.  Like the bō, the ieku is used to strike, thrust, parry, sweep and smash.  Since the edge of the paddle was often dented and dinged and rough with barnacles, it had a crude serrated edge.  Therefore, strikes with the ieku are done with a slicing motion.  The ieku could also be used to throw sand into an opponent’s eyes.

The Ieku Kata

Kōbu no Ieku is the only ieku kata in Kōburyū. Ieku is Sōke Kaichō Kinjō’s signature weapon. From the Matayoshi style Tsuken Akachu no Ieku De to Kōbu no Ieku, Sōke Kaichō Kinjō has demonstrated Eku for many events through the years.