These characteristics mean that kobudo training often creates students who are "jacks-of-all- trades," rather than masters of one.
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Most are considered minor systems, however, because they contain many different skills rather than one dominant type, such as the throwing techniques of judo or the striking found in karate. The six classical weapons are the rokushaku bo (six-foot staff), the sai (short, pitchfork-like weapons), the tonfa (made from grinding wheel handles), the nunchaku (threshing handles), the kama (small, hand-held scythes), and the noburi kama (a long-handled version of the kama).Īll kobudo systems teach interesting techniques and are good as a second or third martial art. A system of defensive techniques and one or more kata was devised for each weapon. Most of these were adapted from farm implements and some were used to fight the Japanese invaders of Okinawa, who forbade the Okinawans to use swords. There are six weapons considered to be the classical weapons of the Okinawan warrior. Students often wear black from head to toe, and much of the training is done outdoors. Ninjutsu practice involves stalking and hiding techniques, climbing, the use of explosives, small weapons, and almost any other skill that could be useful to an assassin.
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Reputable modern historians say that the original ninja were disorganized opportunists, and that the idea of a classical system was created only recently to help promote the art. Ninjutsu is "the art of the assassin." Proponents claim that there is an unbroken tradition of techniques and theory dating back several hundred years, but this idea is in some dispute. Practice of this art can be quite strenuous, depending on how much the teacher enjoys hard work. Practice is much like kendo, with individual technique practice, kata, and sparring, with kendo armor and weapons that have short, split-bamboo blades like the shinai. These days, the art of naginatado is primarily practiced by women in Japan, though a few men do study it. The naginata is a long-handled weapon with a short, curved blade at one end. Legitimate schools teaching kenjutsu in the traditional manner are very rare outside Japan. These systems usually emphasize fighting techniques more than formalized kata, and are often much more active than iaido. In kenjutsu, wooden swords are typically used, rather than metal practice swords or shinai. Kenjutsu means "the way of the sword," but the arts with this name are distinct from iaido and kendo. Practice is active, but not nearly as intense as judo or karate.
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Traditional jodo is highly systematized, with practice drills and kata, as well as individual self-defense techniques. Some styles include joint locks and throws, which are executed against an opponent who grasps your weapon. The jo is a four-foot wooden staff, so jodo is "the way of the staff." Techniques with the jo include striking, poking, parrying, and blocking.