Weapons in Martial Arts

Many martial arts styles use weapons as a part of their curriculum, some don't use weapons at all. Whatever the case, martial arts weapons can be a lot of fun, and in many cases useful. Some martial arts such as Karate-do (meaning empty hand way in Japanese) have integrated weapons into their style as well as the body, while other martial arts is the art of learning to use only weapons themselves. Some of the most common weapons include swords, staffs, and knives. However many styles have weapons of their own, for example karate uses, sai, eku (paddle), tonfa, kama, bo (staff), katana (Japanese sword), nunchaku, as well as others. These weapons generally originated in Okinawa, when the farmers could only use what was around them in order to protect themselves. Martial arts was forbidden and therefore it had to be practiced in secret, many weapons had to be disguised.

Sai

The sai were originally from nothing more than a pitchfork, they were easy to keep hidden within the farming equipment. The sai were typically carried in pairs with one in each hand and a spare carried in the belt. The sai had multiple uses, block, strike, stab, and trap. They could also be thrown, and they were effective against swords.

Eku

The eku was based on the common oar, it is very similar to the bo staff, however it is a little heavier and it has bladed edges. It was derived from the use of fishing gear and farming tools, like most of the Okinawan weapons. It was generally used around docks and beaches. The eku would have been used to strike as well as being able to scoop sand into the opponents eyes. The length of the eku is long and therefore is able to keep your opponent at a distance.

Tonfa

The tonfa was originally used as the handle of a bean or rice grinder. The wooden handle would be held and the long shaft would be swung at the attacker. Like the sai, the long shaft could also be held against the forearm as a way of protection. The tonfa is not a very well known weapon among martial artists themselves, is has been developed and used for a police baton.

Kama

The kama was originally from the farming sickle, when the farmer weapons were confiscated, the kama was easily transformed into a very effective and useful weapon. It has long wooden handles and sharp curved blades at the other end. They are typically carried in pairs and can be used for slashing and striking. Now days the kama is typically used in katas.

Bo (staff)

The bo staff is one of the most common weapons used in martial arts today. It has long striking distance like the eku, however the bo staff is typically lighter. Its length made it ideal against swordsmen and disarming the opponent while allowing the user to remain at a safe distance. It was most commonly used in Okinawa for carrying two buckets across ones shoulders. As a weapon it was used to strike as well as block. More recently it is used mostly in katas allowing for beautiful spins and technique.

Katana (Japanese sword)

The katana was the favored weapon of the samurai warriors and the most widely used Japanese sword. It was carried on the belt and used from horseback or simply on foot. It is now mostly used in kata are simply for display.

Nunchaku

The nunchaku is one of the most popular martial arts weapons because of it's fast speed and compact size. It was a harmless looking weapon and therefore easy for the farmers and common people to use. The nunchaku was originally an agricultural tool used for threshing grain. The sticks could be used for spearing or striking, and the chain could choke, block, or trap. Nunchaku can are also commonly used for joint manipulations and deflecting other weapons. The nunchaku is now used in demonstration and kata.

There are many weapons used throughout different martial arts, many are still used today mainly for demonstration and kata, while others have some practical uses. Whether you are studying the different types of weapons, training and learning how to use them, or simply having the on display, it is always good to have some background knowledge of where the weapons came from, how they are used, and how they are used today.