Kobudo origins mysterious

The beginning of traditional martial art is unclear

Ithough kobudo was first practised

around the 13th century, there are no

evidences of its exact origin of place,
according to Sensei William Chung.

Okinawan kobudo, practised with a series
of weapons, is distinct from other “open hand”
martial arts like karate.

‘The weapons used in kobudo reflect the austere
nature of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. For
instance, the shield used in kobudo is often shaped
like the shell of a tortoise, the wooden batons look
like simple handles. Students of kobudo tend to
own the weapons they practise with, admiring
each other’s during the short breaks of the class.

Chung, head of Karate Kobuto, believes that
while nothing was documented during the kobu-
do’s invention, kobudo gained popularity in the
early 20th century as a fitness routine to teach

Okinawan children, that could also be practised
as a martial art for adults.

Chung said kobudo has not been continuously
practised throughout its history, and at one time
it was becoming a dying form of martial arts.

“The Okinawans preferred the more easily
exportable karate and they didn’t find kobudo as
interesting. But the foreigners enjoy kobudo more
than the locals,” Chung said.

As karate gained popularity around
the world, karate students also began
exposed to kobudo and fell in love
with it.

“Unfortunately, the expen-
sive nature of teaching kobudo
means that there’s not a lot of
knowledgeable instructors

out there,” Chung said. /

News&Features 5

CENTRE LEFT: A photo of eku
with Japanese writings. It was
used by Okinawan fishermen.
Photo by Steven Chang.

BOTTOM-LEFT A student prac-
tising kobudo with nunchaku.

BELOW: Bob Mooney practising
kobudo with tinbe and rochin. A
shield with a small spear.
Photos by Christopher
MacMillan.

Stories and photos by Christopher MacMillan