7 posts / 0 new
Last post
Chatan1979
Chatan1979's picture
Any love for practical Kobudo application?

Hey guys,

Normally my posts are karate applications, but my 2nd love is kobujitsu. I believe that the same principles of practical karate application can be used with kobudo kata as well. I submit this example. It's from the kata Higaonna no sai. 

Thanks for watching.

Sal

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Thanks for sharing Sal!

Kobudo weapons have never been part of my practise, but – as an amateur observer – most Kobudo kata applications I’ve seen fall pray to the same problem as many karate kata in that they are interpreted in a very choreographed, “you do this now so I can do this then” way. The chaos of conflict gets removed and with it all traces of reality. In truth, I find the methodology of the kata provides a great way to navigate the chaos and keeping it firmly in place is when kata really comes alive.

The above clip does not require the enemy to behave in a very precise and ordered way and so it looks good to me! It would be good to see more Kobudo stuff.

All the best,

Iain

Chatan1979
Chatan1979's picture

Thanks for the feedback Iain. 

I agree with you with regards to the normal kobudo bunkai you see out there. My hope is try and eventually shed some light on more pragmatic uses for kobudo kata application.

Best,

Sal

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Chatan1979 wrote:
I agree with you with regards to the normal kobudo bunkai you see out there. My hope is try and eventually shed some light on more pragmatic uses for kobudo kata application.

I'm sure that's something our Kobudoka will apprecaite. It would be good to see more of that I think.

Mnay thanks,

Iain

Jr cook
Jr cook's picture

Sal, 

I practice Kobudo with an eye toward functional use as well. I think we suffer from similar issues that Karate of the 20th century has seen. As the practicality of the weapons has faded the understanding of their use has all but vanished. I have had a very difficult time in finding any other sources that demonstrate a working knowledge of Kobudo forms beyond their basic performance. 

As you indicated above, I am also trying to apply the same (or similar) principles to my Kobudo to make sense of it all. One of the big questions I struggle with is the range for the applications. Depending on if or how the opponent is armed I may need techniques to work at a certain range. Unfortunately there is little in the katas to tell us what we are facing. An unarmed opponent is a totally different set of problems than one with a long weapon such as a bo or spear. 

I personally am a huge fan of the Sai as I can see a great number of parallels to empty hand techniques. And they're just fun.

It's always nice to see there is someone else 'out there' working on the same questions. Thanks for the video syou have shared. I'll have to look around and see if I have anything worth posting on the subject.

-Jeremy

(PS I believe we met briefly at Iain's seminar in Kansas City a few years back. Mark introduced usif I remember correctly)

Chatan1979
Chatan1979's picture

Hi Jeremy

Thanks for the comment. I believe I do recall meeting you in Kansas City. 

Range is a challenge when it comes to practical kobudo application. Part  of what I try to do when examining the katas it to imagine the context of when these weapons were actively being used. What kinds of scenarios might they have been in? We know that the pechin class were known to carry bo and or sai a tools in law enforcement. I try not to look at the applications as being a martial artist versus a  martial artist but perhaps a martial artist versus a pirate (not the carribean pirates, but Okinawa was a very busy port between china, india and japan,) but mauraders, ruffians, bandits, etc. When examined in that fashion the applications become a little more clear. These were not battefield weapons. They were law enforcemnt tools/weapons. That said, I think there are applications for use against an empty handed person (drunkard perhaps), as well as armed opponents. 

Jr cook
Jr cook's picture

Chatan1979 wrote:

Range is a challenge when it comes to practical kobudo application. Part  of what I try to do when examining the katas it to imagine the context of when these weapons were actively being used. What kinds of scenarios might they have been in?

I agree. The context is important. I suppose it could also work vs. the Carribean style pirates as well? 

I've noticed that most of the applications and two-man katas demonstrate the use of weapons against an opponent with a bo. I think this is entirely possible though it can be misleading. The assumption easily becomes that everything was meant to defeat a staff wielding attacker.

On the other end of the spectrum, everything in kata is used to defeat or subdue an unarmed opponent. I find this a little unrealistic as well. 

In the case of the sai and Bo/spear, I have considered the idea that they can be carried together as a primary and secondary set of weapons. 

It would be nice to find some solid historical information about the use of these weapons. Everything I have read thus far is vague and only mentions their use by the police force in Okinawa and China but does not go into any further detail.

-Jeremy