Many of the weapons that today's martial artists train with were once used on ancient battlefields with the sole purpose of causing death or injury to an adversary.

Of course modern concepts of warfare have introduced more sophisticated weapons to the battlefield, relegating the ancient weaponry skills to artistic disciplines. Many of these old martial arts weaponry disciplines have been developed to such an extent that paradoxically, where they once were used to kill, they are now the means of self-development and personal enlightenment.

Today's practitioners learn how fighting energy can be channelled within, to temper the spirit, and unite mind and body in peaceful harmony. Given that Kin Bushi Ryu's beginnings come from the Goju karate systems, it will come as no surprise that many of the weapons used in our training also originate from Okinawa and Japan.

The weapons of Okinawa comprise a formidable arsenal. The Okinawans, conquered and disarmed by the Japanese in the early 1600's, turned their farming implements into weapons. The study of the Okinawan weapons is known as Kobujutsu. Although there are numerous known Okinawan weapons, the Golden Knights Martial Arts Group primarily concentrates on the five following weapons:

BO (staff) Probably the most widely used 'natural' weapon there is, a stick. The Bo varies in size and shape but generally it is a smooth 2 metres length of hard oak, tapering from the middle (30mm) to the ends (20mm). Gripping the bo with both hands the bo may be used to strike, poke, block, parry, deflect, sweep or hold. The position of the hands on the bo determines whether the a strike is made from long or short distances.

 
TONFA (handle) Used originally as a handle to turn a small millstone. The tonfa is generally used in pairs - one in each hand - the basic action is a crisp rotation of the shaft in a full or half strike, vertically or horizontally. Thrust and blocks can be executed with the shaft held along the forearm. Interestingly, our own S.A. Police Force use a modified version of this weapon.

NUNCHAKU (flail) composed of two pieces of hard wood, usually connected by rope or chain. The wooden section of the weapon are generally 30 to 34 centimetres in length. The length of the connecting links is critical because it controls the swing-arc of the weapon. In earlier times, the link was leather, silk, horse hair, rope or chain. Today, nylon parachute cord and chain is most often used. Its arcs, loops and patterns produce a bewildering barrier to an opponent. Within patterns are blocks, chokes, locks and strikes.

SAI (short sword) A short pointed weapon, made from metal. Usually it is between 37 and 50 centimetres long and tapers slightly from pommel to point. It has two tapered tines projecting from the main shaft opposite each other. Of all the Okinawan weapons the sai most readily lends itself to karate. Almost all the hand techniques can be preformed with the sai. Although it looks like a thrusting weapon, the sai is primarily for hitting and blocking, however thrusting is not ruled out.

KAMA (sickle) A long handle of wood (approx 40 centimetres) with a curved blade affixed at right angles; the blade has a single edge on the inside of the arc. Customarily employed in pairs, blocks and deflections are performed with the shaft or by hooking with the blade. Offensive maneuvers include chopping attacks to the kidneys and throat. The warrior class of Japan developed and made use of a wide range of weapons, some of which are variations of the already described Okinawan weapons. Two Japanese weapons are studied, the Katana (sword) and Jo (short staff).

KATANA (sword) The katana is a curved, single-edged sword, its blade is generally around 70 centimetres long. The katana may be used with one or both hands. Of all the weapons taught, the sword is of paramount importance. All students reaching their Black Belt will be expected to begin training with the sword. Having been described as the "Soul of the warrior", the sword is the symbol that captures the spirit of the martial arts.

There are fundamentally three approaches to training with the sword in the Golden Knights.

Iai-do. Using a katana, being either a live blade (a sharpen edged or authentic sword) or a metal practise katana (iaito). The practitioner quickly and skilfully draws the katana from the scabbard, so as to instantly dispatch an enemy with one or two striking, thrusting or cutting techniques. Emphasis is also placed on the action of returning the blade to the scabbard. The techniques and training exercises focus on refinement of movement while developing a higher level of concentration and spiritual awareness.

Ken-jutsu. This is the classical art of the Japanese sword. There are no sporting considerations in the training, which was created by master swordsmen with the sole aim of killing an enemy as quickly as possible.

Training features the use of a live katana or iaito in prearranged routines (kata). Also practise is undertaken with a bokken (wooden sword curved and shaped in accordance with the contours of a metal sword) so as to safely practise strikes, thrusts, cuts and defence with a partner. The bokken was a safety measure introduced to Ken-jutsu hundreds of years ago to replace the dangerous practise of training with live katana's. In time the bokken itself became a weapon, and was employed very effectively in combat. The bokken used as a weapon in its own right (not being used as practise sword only) was employed with both sword and club techniques.

Kendo. It is a system of sporting combat in which the participants wear amour and try to score points on designated targets with imitation bamboo swords called shinai.

The shinai is made four highly polished pieces of bamboo, bound together with stripes of leather which is between 95 -100 centimetres long and less than 1.4 kg in weight. Many of its practitioners also regard it as a form of spiritual discipline and tend to disregard the sporting side.

JO (short staff) Not unlike the Bo, however the Jo is much shorter, being 120 centimetres long and 2.5 centimetres in diameter which does not taper at the ends. The Jo is employed in much the same way as the Bo with the additional ability to borrow sword fighting techniques because of its similar length to the sword. The modern study of the Jo usually leads to the study of the heavy club (tanjo) and police baton art (keibo soho).

While the above list and descriptions represent the majority of the weapons taught within the Golden Knights Martial Arts Group, they are by no means the only weapons trained with by instructors and students alike.

Being a freestyle martial arts system leaves plenty of room for individuals to explore weapons from all cultures. In fact many instructors are drawn to the study weapons which originate in our Western culture.

Warriors of all the nations of Europe developed various weapons and styles of using them. The Vikings favoured the long sword and axe, while the knights of the middle ages were expected to be skilful in the use of the sword, spear, war hammer and mace.

Simpler weapons were not neglected, and the English in particular were famous for their use of the staff, along with other methods of fighting with the single stick and walking stick.

All of these examples have there oriental equivalent and it is interesting to compare them. They are in no way technically inferior to any Eastern system, but are unfortunately, due to the influence of the oriental martial arts systems in West over the past 40 years, are not commonly studied by the modern martial artist.

**Please note some of the martial arts weapons that we train with are subject to the South Australian Prohibited Weapons legislation. 

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