Karate Worksheet Kubudo

North Fork Karate

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Kangeiko		 Kubudo

Kubudo is the art of Okinawan weaponry. The weapons are primarily wooden, with exception of the Sai, a two-foot, metal baton with two blunt projections on either side near the grip.  While many styles of karate incorporate kubudo into their regular training, Shotokan karate as taught in the IMA (International Martialarts Association) teaches kubudo separately. The belt levels are given for kubudo, too, so in this association you can earn two black belts.

Kubudo is a challenging martial art because you are not only telling your body what to do, you are making a weapon work effectively against many types of attack. Our kubudo is not as much about baton twirling and showmanship as it is about correct usage, self defense and strength.

Kubudo is complementary to karate and it is necessary in the IMA organization to have received your orange belt in karate (for children) or your yellow belt (for adults) before commencing the study. You must also ask your sensei for permission to begin.

Types of Weapons Studied in the IMA

Bo-staff - a wooden, six-foot staff used with both hands in a series of powerful blocks and strikes. 

Tonfa - two batons with handles, one for each hand, which can be used defensively to block bo-staff and swords, or offensively to strike joints or vital points.

Sai - metal batons in a trident shape, used in pairs for blocking, breaking and jabbing.

Nun-chuka - a pair of wooden handles, joined in the middle by a short section of rope or chain. Used in a circular or swinging motion for defense, they can also be used to mount an effective attack.

Jo - a four and a half foot staff swung with one hand and switched from hand to hand.
How the IMA Trains You in Kubudo
The IMA starts every student in Bo-staff first. You will learn ways to strengthen and stretch wrists and arms, learn 10 basic blocks and strikes, pre-kata (short kata-like combinations) and then your first kata. You will have Bo training at every weapons lesson which includes the comfortable and routine moves as well as new combinations learned on the spot.

As you achieve competence in Bo-staff, you will be asked to test for your next belt level. At that time, you may start training in Tonfa. Once again, basic moves and repetition teach your body to make the Tonfa move accurately. There are pre-katas and katas to learn for this "short weapon", too, and you may choose to compete using them.

Then you start working on, in order, Sai, Nun-chuka and Jo. You must keep up your training in the earlier weapons too, so the study of weapons, Kubudo, is a long process which requires patience from the student. We train once a week, but expect you to practice outside of class to progress.