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Nunchaku (noon-chah-kuh)  

          One of the most popular martial arts weapons, the nunchaku were derived from two different farming tools; the first of which was an old style horses bit and bridle called a muge (moo-geh), and the second was a tool used to pound grain or rice. Nunchaku come in different shapes and sizes. In Mateyoshi tyr-ha, the most common types of nunchaku are the hakkakukei (hahk-kah-ku-kheh), which are octagonal shaped and maru-gata (mah-rue-gah-tah), which is round. Both are connected by three lengths of cord about three finger widths wide. Sometimes the nunchaku can be connected by a piece of vine called kanda (kahn-dah). The kanda was usually longer than the cord due to the fact that this type of connector could bind an adversaries' hands and head. The nunchaku are capable of blocking and striking, as well as trapping and throwing. The motions are not like those seen in movies but are more similar to the movements of the other weapons, like the bo or katana.

Note: Though this is the most popular martial art weapon in the martial art community ... This is Sensei Toma's least favorite weapon as he will readily demonstrate how to take them away from an attacker with either empty hand or bo staff.  He did not include a kobudo kata for this weapon into our kobudo system as a result. 

Tonbo (tahn bo)        

      Two sort batons used as a pair for striking, locking, and throwing.  It is a cross over weapon formally taught to Yondan and above in Seidokan Kobudo; however, it has no formal kata.  This is not considered a formal Shorin Ryu linage weapon but comes from our Motobu Ryu side and those principles are used. 

Tekko (teh-koh)

          This weapon has two possible origins. One lies in the idea that the tekko was used on board fishing boats while pulling the net in so the net would not cut into the hand. The other was the use of a horse shoe simply put into the hand and used to punch with. The first one was made out of wood while the other was made, of course, out of metal. These weapons employ blocking, striking, grabbing, and joint locking.

Eku (eeh-kuu)

          Used originally as a boat oar, the eku is capable of being used similarly to the bo. One of the techniques employed while using the eku is taking the wide, flat part of the weapon and throwing sand in your opponent's face. It has a distinct cutting look while being used.

Nunti-bo (noon-teh boh)

Some say that this weapon came from China while others say it was a tool used on the fishing boats to bring in the nets. It consists of a six foot bo with a nunti sai mounted on top. Used like a bo, the nunti-bo can strike, block, grab, and puncture.

Nunti Basics

Ryukyu Kobudo. Taira Shinken

• naginata (a seven foot bo with a curved blade on the end)
  

• yari (spear)

Yari
Geared up and padded safe play for a more sport type of Yari.

   Yarijutsu or Sojutsu

Yari or so-jutsu (spear fighting)  
Much more traditional from 

mainland Japan.

• Tinbe / Rochin (ten-bay / roh-chen)
  

          The rochin is a twelve to eighteen inch piece of wood with a three to four inch blade on the end. The rochin is used in conjunction with the tinbe, a type of shield usually made out of a turtle shell. As one can guess, the shield is used for deflecting incoming attacks while the rochin would be used to strike back.

• kuwa (Okinawan hoe),   

Introduction to the Kuwa

An introduction to the kuwa (hoe), used as a weapon in Okinawa, as well as the stances used with it.                                      

• suruchin (a long chain, weighted at both ends), 

• the abumi (a wooden saddle stirrup), used much like the Tekko above.