The Weapons We Train With
Please Note: This list may expand, with the likes of the "Tessen", the "Yari" & Others.
Nunchucks/Nunchaku
Nunchucks/Nunchaku (the Rice-Flail) history comes from Okinawa, Japan. It consists of two short wooden batons connected together by a chain or rope.
It is believed that the Nunchaku was originally developed from farming tools used to harvest rice.
Here is a link to see the Nunchaku & learn more about it:
Sai
The Sai (Japanese Translation: hairpin, Chinese Translation: iron ruler) is a pointed/forked melee weapon from Okinawa Japan & dating back even earlier to China & other parts of Asia.
The Sai is primarily used for stabbing, striking, parrying & disarming opponents.
Here is a link to see the Sai & learn more about it:
Tonfa
Tonfa are traditional Okinawan fighting weapons, they are used for blocking and striking & are often wielded in pairs. They are still used today by UK & USA Law Enforcement, most notably only one is used, instead of the traditional pair.
The Tonfa’s origin, much like the Sai is quite clouded. It is believed to actually come from China or South East Asia, not originally Okinawa.
Here is a link to see the Tonfa & learn more about it:
Jō
The Jō is a 4.2ft wooden staff, used for blocking, striking & performing locks on targets.
The Jō is still used today by some Japanese police forces. You will find this with a few of these weapons, they still retain their practicality in this modern world.
Here is a link to see the Jō & learn more about it:
Bō
The Bō (traditionally 6ft in length) has been used throughout Asia since the beginning of recorded history. Used for self-defense mainly by monks & commoners,
The Bō is also believed to have derived from traditional farm work implements. It’s believed to have evolved from the Tenbin which was used to balance buckets of water or baskets of crops/fish.
Here is a link to see the Bō & learn more about it:
Bokken
The Bokken is a practice sword made of wood, Bokken are used to practice application techniques with, rather then a traditional Katana, this is to prevent the Katana being damaged & to also prevent injury to the user/uke. It is also a tool used for beginner students to learn how to use a sword in Kata.
Like Other weapons on this list, the Bokken is actually used in the USA by the LAPD for mounted Officers on horseback, they are used to prevent rioters from grabbing the horses bit & bridle.
Here is a link to see the Bokken & learn more about it:
Katana
The Katana was used by samurai in feudal Japan, they are worn with the blade edge facing upward, as not to slice through the Saya (sheath) whilst drawing the blade.
If you want to learn the different parts of the Katana for your Black Belt then follow this link: Katana – Name Of Weapon Parts.
Here is a link to see the Katana & learn more about it:
Kama
The Kama was originally a farming tool used to harvest crops (mostly rice), like other weapons on this list, they where adapted for combat.
They are mainly used in pairs for defensive & offensive techniques.
Here is a link to see the Kama & learn more about it:
Naginata
The Naginata was originally used to fight Samurai on horseback, foot soldiers & by warrior monks. It was later adopted by the Samurai’s wives to protect the household while they where off fighting wars.
The Naginata is still typically kept (& learnt) in some Japanese households today & is passed down to the daughters.
Here is a link to see the Naginata & learn more about it:
Rope
The rope (Hojōjutsu) was used by the Samurai to capture/tie up prisoners, they would use different methods of restraining depending on their class/status, it could be basic handcuffs, hogties, or even long intricate displays. Most ties would be done in a way to tighten the hold, or to choke the prisoner if they tried to escape.
The Rope & Hojōjutsu is still used today by Police in Japan as well as (& sometimes in place of) handcuffs.
Here is a link to see the Rope & learn more about it:
Tanbō - Short Stick
The Tanbō is a traditional Japanese Short Stick used for self defence. it is mainly used to strike with, or apply locks & chokes.
Here is a link to see the Tanbō & learn more about it:
Tanto / Training Knife
The Tanto we typically use as wooden or Rubber training knives. We usually perform knife defences with it.
The Samurai would always carry a Tanto with them, even in instances when they were not permitted to carry a sword, they would even sleep with it under their pillow, this was incase of intruders. The reason they would always carry one is so that they could commit “Seppuku”/”Hara-Kiri” – Ritual Suicide in the face of defeat of dishonor.
Here is a link to learn about Seppuku:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku
Here is a link to see the Tanto & learn more about it: