The Art of Kobudo

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First, I like the weapons of karate. I think they are cool. I think they are a challenge to learn and practice. I don’t think they are adequate for self-defense. I do think they are a huge contributor toward an art form that is physical, mental and demanding. I do understand that they require a solid knowledge, understanding and proficiency in empty hand or karate before you take up the Bo, Sai or Tuifa. I believe and understand that this was a core reason for the practice of karate in Okinawa’s ancient times,  a prerequisite so to speak. I studied the Bo, Sai, Tuifa, Nunchaku and Kama in my first ten years in Okinawan Karate-jutsu-do. 

I do not practice kobudo today. Some say that is blasphemous and heretical. I don’t care. I wanted to focus more on empty hand because I wanted to convert my practice and training toward a model more closely representative of street self-defense. The time I had and would spend on kobudo practice, for me, is better spent learning about violence, learning about avoidance, learning about all the repercussions from engaging in conflict and violence. I wanted to spend the time studying about the before, during and after affects of self-defense. This takes considerable effort and a lot of research and study just to gain some semblance of knowledge if for no other reason then recognition and avoidance - the primary means of self-defense in almost all cases - almost.

I don’t feel the need to achieve higher grade or rank by the means of the art of kobudo. I don’t particularly care whether I have any level or grade specific to kobudo. I don’t believe kobudo should be required to advance your knowledge of karate or any martial art that involves “empty hand defense.”

I do believe that learning about weapons in defense of yourself, your family and others is important but that means learning a lot more than target practice if you choose a gun for protection. I also believe that if you cannot handle any weapon within the guidelines and laws dictated by society you should leave weapons alone and focus on the most effective self-defense known to mankind - avoidance. 

Like I said, I love the art of kobudo but find it an obstacle to more important aspects of martial defense but would never denigrate those who find such joy and pleasure learning about this system ancient to Okinawa and Japan let alone China. I fully support and recommend anyone seeking out a martial art to embrace kobudo at least for the early years of practice. The benefits will sharpen and enhance any empty hand system you practice as you continue your discipline even if you give up kobudo.

I am glad we have kobudo and feel that it should be a part of karate considering the history it brings. It also provides us a means to learn more about the culture and beliefs of those who created such excellent systems of weapons combatives. It doesn’t matter that they may have devolved into a mere art form or a sport form or both, this is good since it still connects and interconnects with all that is valued in Okinawan martial arts. If not for the weapons of kobudo then the internal policing of Okinawa in the sixteen hundreds after the Satsuma arrived would have possibly devolved into no real Okinawan martial arts at all. 

I do believe wholeheartedly that one should NOT try to learn kobudo until they have reached at least a Ni-dan and preferable a San-san level in karate. I believe this was a model that many veterans of ancient martial arts development learned as necessary to truly achieve combat proficiency in kobudo. Although not a matter of life or death or security of Okinawa people or even ours in modern times it still has its artistic and moral teachings due to the transition and exposure to such things as Buddhism, Confucianism and Zenism.

I, personally, don’t feel the need to go beyond that level of basic and fundamental learning of kobudo so let it go after a time so that my focus can be directed toward my chief concern, defense with empty hands along with all the rest of self-defense. 

I was good with weapons, kobudo, and I can still contribute to those who still want to learn, practice and devote to the art of kobudo but it is just no longer that important to me, personally. It is, as it should be, a personal pursuit and a personal thing. 

If you are shaking your head thinking that I am losing my focus on what karate is and what it should be stop right there and let me remind you. I believe that everyone who pursues a life in martial arts, i.e. specifically empty hand and kobudo, should learn kobudo in its proper order and place within the martial arts but like all martial arts there is a time when you have to choose which direction you wish to go. If you want to hone your skills, knowledge and abilities you have to leave behind any rigid adherence to what most believe and venture out toward growth and change. To reach beyond the levels of “shu” in “shu-ha-ri” or “shin-gi-tai,” etc., you have to make your martial art your own martial art much like many who came before have done. You don’t have to create a system or style, that is not the point, but you should consider making it your own.

I made my practice my own and it does not have kobudo. It is an outgrowth of the practice that included kobudo. It also is something born of the original system as created by its creator. It was adhered to faithfully until I reached a point where, per the creators teachings, I decided to spread my wings and take flight - all on my own. 

A martial arts luminary stated to me a long time ago that he wanted to work with me to get my level up to where it should be and I simply said, thank you but I need to take a different road. He was a real solid person and martial artists who has my absolute respect and admiration but I simply needed to go my own way. He understood. 

Let me close by saying that I understand and accept the instinctual drive when engaging in conflict to reach for a weapon. It is my litmus test as I train and practice. If I engage in anything that causes me to pause and consider a weapon then I know I have not reached the proper level of empty hand yet. If I cannot immediately rely on my studies in empty hand then I have not reached a level of proficiency confidence to drive out any instinctual need to grab a weapon. 

I am not saying I would not immediately reach for a weapon if I encounter violent attacks but I want to know that I can, if the case warrants, choose the weapons due to circumstances over an instinctual need or reliance on a weapon. If I feel I can avoid or handle it with my body, mind and spirit then I want do do so instinctually. Grabbing a weapon without that confidence could open me to other problems, issues and obstacles more devastating that I wish to have the ability to do otherwise. Look at is as similar to “force,” that force only necessary to stop any damage and to reach security and safety. The kind that means you don’t suffer more than you deserve such as going to jail for fighting, etc. I consider this as a training tool for just that purpose. I want the ability to take up anything to use as a necessary weapon but only if and when my body, mind, and spirit requires the additional assistance - not before. 

This is most difficult and I often wonder if I have reached a point that it will work. I may never be tested in this but I still practice and train toward the goal, just in case.