Matayoshi-Yamashita Kobudo Weapons
The Matayoshi Kobudo system places great emphasis on the use of the bo, an implement said to be derived from the tenbib, which was a wooden staff that was slung across the shoulders in order to transport buckets of water on each end. The most popular type of bo is the rokushaku, which measures six feet in length and 1 1/4 inches thick at the center, tapering down to 3/4 inch at the ends.
This is known as Rokushaku Bo, Roku means six, shaku is a measure of about 1 foot in length. Hence the Bo staff is about 6 foot. This weapon is the most commonly used weapon in Okinawan Kobudo systems.
This weapon originated from an ordinary household utensil, a handle for a mortar (or a hand mill). Its main purpose is defense. Attacking with Tunkua can also be powerful with the proper use of the wrist.
The Tonfa (more commonly known) can be pronounced many ways, such as “tunfa” and “Tunkua” (as preferred by our style). According to old Okinawan documents, Tuifa seems to have been the right name.
The word means, “handle” and has three theories as to its origin:
Kamajutsu is also called "Kama nu ti". About 700 years ago, in King Eiso's reign, agricultural tools such as hoes and sickles began to be made of iron. Along with these farm tools, many weapons were imported from mainland Japan and China in that era. Kama was first used as a weapon by farmers around 1314 A.D. when warriors and farmers rose up against King Tamagusuku's oppression. As a result, three chieftains were established.
This martial art was derived and developed from the art practiced in Shanghai China. There is a legend in Tsuken Island that in the Ryukyu Kingdom era, a samurai (warrior) called Chikin Uekata Masanori was defeated in contention for the throne. He was to be executed by being sunk in the sea. However, since he was a Bo expert, the executor couldn't bring himself to carry out the sentence. So he asked a fisherman named Asato to take care of this samurai in secret. Asato learned Bo techniques from Uekata but soon surpassed him and became a Bo expert.
The nunchaku is a weapon made from a horse bridle strap and a tool that was used to pound grain or rice. In the Matayoshi system, the most common types of nunchaku have octagonal (hakkakukei) or round (maru-gata) wooden handles of equal length connected by a length of rope or chain.
This weapon is thought to have been introduced to Okinawa through trade with one of the Asian countries. It did not become popular in Japan, but developed primarily in Kobudo styles of Okinawa. The Sai was thought to be used by the police, Chichi saji of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Sansetsukon: or three sectional staff can be used as a long ranged weapon and swung freely or a short lunge weapon when two sections are held and used to strike or parry.
Nunti: (fishing spear) is used in a similar fashion to the Bo. The 15" central staff has two prongs, One facing away and one facing toward the opponent. It can be used to spear, strike, or hook the opponent with the backward prong.
Tinbei and Rochin: is a sword or spear (or short sword), and shield. This weapon combination has Chinese roots.
Okinawan kusarigama is a rare chain (鎖) and sickle (鎌) weapon found in the Okinawan kobudō weapons set. A noted modern practitioner of the weapon was Seike Toma, a student of Chōtoku Kyan and a teacher of Seikichi Odo.
