Traditional Okinawan Kobudo

Training in Kobudo refers to the study of Traditional Okinawan Weaponry for self defence. 

At Penshurst Martial Arts you may train in either or both, as Karate and Kobudo classes are conducted separately. We teach a style called Koburyu Kobudo lead by Kaicho Takashi Kinjo(Hanshi 10th dan) originating from Okinawa Japan. 

Kōburyū was established in the year 2000 by Sōke Kaichō Kinjō Takashi. However, the techniques of Kōburyū did not burst into existence in 2000.  Sōke Kaichō Kinjō Takashi spent much of his martial arts career studying and teaching in the Uechi Ryū family of Okinawan karate and Kobudo under Matayoshi Shimpo. After over 40 years of in-depth analysis, these movements and techniques had taken a path inherently different from that the styles in which he started. That difference became Kōburyū, a practical style of modern karate and Kobudo emphasizing efficient and powerful use of the human body.

      

The martial artists of Okinawa regard karate and kobudo as brother and sister different, but inseparable. 

Traditional Kobudo Weaponry includes but is not limited to; Bo(Staff), Sai, Nunchaku, Tonfa(Handle batten), Tinaka, Kama, Ieku(Oar), Nunti.  Some of which are shown below

 

 

The eight Fundamentals of kobudo Kobu-kai
 
一 手法 両手の動き（陰陽の使い方）
How to use your arms. How to move both hands (Yin and yang movement)
 
一 歩法 歩き方（足さばき）
How to move, Way of walking
 
一 眼法 眼のくばり方
How to move the line of sight
 
一 身法 身体全体の動かし方
How to move the whole body
 
一 気息 呼吸法（気の力を出す方法）
Breathing method（How to get power of “ki” )
 
一 勁力 爆発的な力を瞬間的に発揮する技術
Technology to make explosive power instantaneously
 
一 精神力 敵を恐れず苦難に耐える強い心を養う
Mental strength. Fost a strong heart to endure hardship without fear of enemies
 
一 形稽古 攻防の技を取得
Form practice. Acquire techniques of attack and defence.
(excerpt taken from https://kobukai.okinawa/)
 

Naraasun Dojo is the Australian authorised branch of Koburyu Kobukai

More about Kaicho Takashi Kinjo & Koburyu Kobudo

 

The below exerts were taken from an Okinawa times article from a few years ago, and are great descriptions of Koburyu philosophy from Takshi Kinjo Grand master and chairman of the Okinawan Kobu-ryu Karate-do Kobudo kobu-kai.

"If you do not continue to evolve, you will only wither away.  ...The power of thinking, the pursuit of mind and technique."

"If you are too attached to tradition, you will not be able to delve deeply into your techniques"

and my favourite 

"A thousands days of practice is forging, ten thousand days of practice is for refinement". 

Takashi Kinjo uses these words from Miyamoto Muashi to emphasize the importance of continued training and practice over time.