Weapons Of Kobudo

Weapon Names

Japanese often does not have a direct translation to English. This often leads to there being multiple "correct" names for the same weapon in English. For searching sites, and finding weapons generally the first name listed below is used, sometimes though, an alternate name is in use. If a weapon which is included in other sections of this site, is not included, then that name should be considered the accepted name, IE sai When doing independent research, please utilize the following.

Bō

  • bong (Korean)
  • pang (Cantonese)
  • bang (Mandarin)
  • kun (Okinawan)
  • staff (English)

Eku

  • eiku
  • ieku
  • iyeku
  • ueku
  • kai (Japanese)

Nunti Sai

  • manji sai

Tonfa

  • tuifa
  • tongfa
  • tong fa

Nunchaku

  • nunchuks
  • nunchucks
  • chainsticks
  • chuka sticks
  • karate sticks
  • nunchak
  • nunchakus
  • nuns
  • nu-chaku
  • numchaks

Kobudo Systems

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and aims to capture the major kobudo systems which teach various weaponry and katas.

Matayoshi

Matayoshi Kobudo was pioneered during the Taishō period (1912-1926) by Matayoshi Shinko and his son, Matayoshi Shinpo. This system is practiced today and there are approximately 2,000 dojos acroos the world. The only common kobudo weapon without kata in this system is the yari.

Ryu-Kyu

Ryukyu Kobudo was developed by Taira Shinken. The focus of this style revolves around swift and fluid hip movements. Ryukyu makes use of many of the weapons, but focuses mainly on the bo and the sai.

Tokushin-Ryu

Tokushinryu Kobudo has come into existence during the 2,000s, from master Tokumura Kensho. This young style of kobudo emphasizes the use of chinkuchi (explosive use of sudden bodily tension when blocking or punching). This style utilizes most of the kobudo weaponry.

Yamanni-Ryu

Yamanni Ryu Kobudo has only recently become known outside of Okinawa. Compared to the other systems, this style of kobudo focuses only on the first 5 weapons, with emphasis on the bo. This system is differentiated by it's powerful and swift circular motion, pliable footwork, and vibrant bdoy dynamics.

System Name Bo Sai Tonfa Kama Nunchaku Eku Tinbe Rochin Sansetsukon Nunti Sai Kuwa Tekko Yari Suruchin Nunti Bo Tichu
Matayoshi X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Ryukyu X X X X X X X X
Tokushinryu X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Yamanni-Ryu X X X X X

Custom Shops

The custom shops are shops which manufacture per order. Each item is hand crafted and unique.

Bo
 Sai Tonfa Kama Nunchaku Eku Tinbe Rochin Sansetsukon Nunti Sai Tekko Yari Nunti Bo
Shushin Kobudo Direct Link None Found Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link None Found Page Link None Found Page Link Page Link None Found
Seaholme Kobudo Page Link None Found Page Link Metal Wooden Page Link Page Link None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found
Premier Dan Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link None Found None Found None Found Page Link
Seido Shop Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link None Found None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found
Worbington Steele None Found Page Link Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Dreametal Kobudo Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Tinbe Rochin Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link
Kobudogu Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Tinbe Rochin None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Kensho International Page Link Page Link Page Link None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found
E-bogu Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Masamune Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Page Link None Found None Found Direct Link None Found None Found None Found None Found
Tozando Shop Search Site None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Nihonzashi None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found

Production Shops

The production shops are selling items produced in larger quantities.

Bo Sai Tonfa Kama Nunchaku Eku Tinbe Rochin Sansetsukon Nunti Sai Tekko Yari Nunti Bo
Sword Of The East Direct Link Direct Link Search Site Search Site Direct Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Search Link None Found
Kult Of Athena None Found Page Link None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Page Link None Found
Japanese Swords 4 Samurai None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Search Site None Found
Sword Buyers Guide None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Direct Link None Found
Bugei Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
AWMA Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link Direct Link None Found Direct Link None Found None Found None Found None Found
Sakura Martial Arts Supplies Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Page Link Search Site None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Sword N Armory Page Link Page Link None Found None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Moku Buki Page Link None Found Page Link None Found None Found Page Link None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found
Cas Iberia None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found None Found Page Link None Found

About

Thanks for visiting. After trying to source quality Okinawan weapons and scouring the web; I figured I could contribute to the kobudo community by making all the information available. We aim to provide a neutral, resourceful, and accurate site. To aid in this goal, the site is self funded and currently is not taking, nor soliciting funding/donations/advertising. Noticeably absent in shop tables, is the kuwa, suruchin, and tichu. Once a vendor is found, they will be added. In the future I may include reviews, weapons outside of Okinawan Kobudo, enhanced tables (ie sorting, filtering) and more. I hope to grow this site from an informational hub, into a community with a forum, possibly other integrations, and dynamic content.


Any error found is non-intentional and will be corrected once noted. This site does not promote violence, nor condones the use of weapons by untrained people. All content is either original and copyrighted© by the creator of this site, or it is credited and may be viewed by using the link, in the footer of the menu.