Kobudo
Kobudo refers to the study of traditional Okinawan weapons such as the bo, sai, tonfa, iyeku bo,
and nunchaku. Under Japanese occupation during the feudal period, Okinawans were prevented from
owning military style weapons such as swords or spears. Partly under Chinese influence, the Okinawans
developed traditional weapons such as the sai and the staff or bo and modified or used farming or
fishing implements as weapons. The iyeku bo, for example, is a fisherman’s paddle, the nunchaku a
modified agricultural flail. Making use of their martial training in the art of empty-hand fighting or te,
the Okinawans developed their often improvised weapons into deadly fighting tools. Because it utilizes a
variety of weapons used both singly and in pairs, kobudo training develops coordination, focus, and the
other martial abilities particularly well. Students of ju-jitsu and karate often find that kobudo study
enhances their ability to use the whole body in executing techniques and helps develop more powerful
application of technique.
The kobudo program at CMA-USA has existed in its current form since 1991 under the direction
of Shihan Carl D. Wilcox, who at that time and in the interests of promoting martial arts that support
and reinforce the values of the Kwanmukan, invited our principal kobudo instructor, Sensei Ernesto
Martinez, 7th dan kenpo and kobudo to begin a new weapons program. Sensei Martinez originally
earned a 5th dan in Shotokan karate, but after being exposed to the teaching of Odo Seikichi, Hanshi,
of the Ryuku Hon Kenpo Kobojutsu, he again put on a white belt and began the intensive study that
lead to his current rank. In support of the values provided by the Kwanmukan for the benefit of all
CMA-USA students, Sensei Martinez offers expert instruction in traditional kobudo, providing intense
study of traditional forms, kihon, and bunkei, and the fundamentals of integrated martial arts practice.
Sensei Martinez conducts one intensive two-hour class each month, and weekly classes are led
by Sensei Mark Holland, who has been studying with Sensei Martinez since the fall of 2001. Currently,
kobudo classes are held on Mondays at 11:45 am for one hour and on Friday afternoons from 5:00 to
6:30. Sensei Martinez’ monthly classes typically meet on a Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 am.
Students from age eight and up are welcome.
|
Kobudo
Kobudo refers to the study of traditional Okinawan weapons such as the bo, sai, tonfa, iyeku bo, and nunchaku. Under Japanese occupation during the feudal period, Okinawans were prevented from owning military style weapons such as swords or spears. Partly under Chinese influence, the Okinawans developed traditional weapons such as the sai and the staff or bo and modified or used farming or fishing implements as weapons. The iyeku bo, for example, is a fisherman’s paddle, the nunchaku a modified agricultural flail. Making use of their martial training in the art of empty-hand fighting or te, the Okinawans developed their often improvised weapons into deadly fighting tools. Because it utilizes a variety of weapons used both singly and in pairs, kobudo training develops coordination, focus, and the other martial abilities particularly well. Students of ju-jitsu and karate often find that kobudo study enhances their ability to use the whole body in executing techniques and helps develop more powerful application of technique. The kobudo program at CMA-USA has existed in its current form since 1991 under the direction of Shihan Carl D. Wilcox, who at that time and in the interests of promoting martial arts that support and reinforce the values of the Kwanmukan, invited our principal kobudo instructor, Sensei Ernesto Martinez, 7th dan kenpo and kobudo to begin a new weapons program. Sensei Martinez originally earned a 5th dan in Shotokan karate, but after being exposed to the teaching of Odo Seikichi, Hanshi, of the Ryuku Hon Kenpo Kobojutsu, he again put on a white belt and began the intensive study that lead to his current rank. In support of the values provided by the Kwanmukan for the benefit of all CMA-USA students, Sensei Martinez offers expert instruction in traditional kobudo, providing intense study of traditional forms, kihon, and bunkei, and the fundamentals of integrated martial arts practice. Sensei Martinez conducts one intensive two-hour class each month, and weekly classes are led by Sensei Mark Holland, who has been studying with Sensei Martinez since the fall of 2001. Currently, kobudo classes are held on Mondays at 11:45 am for one hour and on Friday afternoons from 5:00 to 6:30. Sensei Martinez’ monthly classes typically meet on a Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Students from age eight and up are welcome. |