Empty hands?

Karate and the Use of Weapons

NOVEMBER 2012
SANDAN THESIS
by Gerry Ansell
Lee Valley Shotokan Karate Club

Karate-do is an empty
handed art of self defence in
which the arms and legs are
systematically trained and an
enemy attacking by surprise
can be controlled by a
demonstration of strength
like that of using actual
weapons.
Nakayama 1987

Empty Hands?
Karate and the Use of Weapons
Empty Hands?............................................................................................................................ 3
Karate and the Use of Weapons................................................................................................ 3
Introduction............................................................................................................................... 5
Karate-Do and Okinawan Kobudo ............................................................................................. 6
A Personal Note on Karate-Do .................................................................................................. 6
Weapons.................................................................................................................................... 7
1. The Bo................................................................................................................................ 7
2. The Sai............................................................................................................................... 8
3. Kama (Sickle) ..................................................................................................................... 8
4. Tonfa (Side Handle Baton)................................................................................................. 9
The Karate Kata ....................................................................................................................... 10
Weapons Bunkai.................................................................................................................. 10
Kata Examples ..................................................................................................................... 10
Modern Day Weapons............................................................................................................. 13
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 14
References and Resources ...................................................................................................... 15

Introduction
When I was thinking about what subject to pick for this work I remembered
that there are katas where there are moves which simulate using a weapon,
for example, catching and striking with a bo in Jitte. I also thought about
various open days where I had been involved in chair and knife defence, and
where martial arts weapons such as the sai have been demonstrated.
What I could not escape was the fact that karate literally means empty hand,
a distinction introduced by the founder of modern karate Sensei Gichin
Funakoshi. This inquiry does not challenge that; it seeks to understand from a
personal standpoint how weapons fighting systems relate to karate as an
unarmed martial art.
I then read that our leading karate sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa is known to
have had a keen interest in Okinawan weapons methods (known as kobudo).
He states:
.I believe that people should train in both kobudo and karate.
Many weapons are part of the karate family. In the old days, people
studied bo, sai, nunchaku, jo, kama, tonfa and other weapons as part
of karate training. Now they are seen as separate, but it should not be
like this. I think that karate-ka should be familiar with many weapons. I
believe that this is part of karate. (Shotokan Karate Magazine, 1988)
My jaw dropped.
It dropped a little further when it also became clear that Sensei Funakoshi
also had an interest in weapons. This is evident from these images:

(Photos of Gichin Funakoshi with Bo and Sai)

Karate-Do and Okinawan Kobudo

Going back in time it is understood that Okinawa benefited uniquely from its
location as a trading post between Japan and South East Asia whereby
certain martial arts methods found their way to the islands merging with local
fighting techniques.
It also seems that methods of empty hand fighting and adaptation of
working/farming tools as weapons were refined under the various bans on
weapons that existed in Okinawa at different times. The latter are collectively
known as Okinawan Kobudo. Both these methods were conducted in secret
to avoid the attention of the ruling forces and developed in parallel.
Other similarities include training in a dojo under a master or sensei, etiquette
and respect, grading systems, training drills and so on. Each weapons system
has techniques and katas that have a feel and form that reflect karate.
I also draw parallels with the fact that seemingly harmless objects the hands
and the feet for karate and everyday tools such as an oar or simple stick or
staff for kobudo are used as a defence system against proper weapons
such as the sword or spear.
In a karate article on this subject Sensei Tadashi Yamashita an
accomplished karate and kobudo master - says that "Okinawan karate and
weapons are like brother and sister - they complement each other." (Stricker,
1998).

A Personal Note on Karate-Do

Notwithstanding the above Sensei Funakoshi was clear to define his
chosen art as karate-do. This distinguished it from the former name
which literally meant Chinese hands and alluded to Chinese boxing.
The term he introduced literally meant way of the empty hand and
again separately defined it from other styles of jutsu or technique.
Nakayama clarifies this meaning by stating,
.to make any effective use of these techniques, the spiritual aspect
of this art of self defence must be recognised and must play the
predominant role. (Nakayama 1987)
In other words karate-do is a way having a much deeper meaning
than just training, style, gaining belts or even winning against an
opponent. For me karate-do is a personal journey for each individual
each of us has our own battle to fight; we all face setbacks, obstacles
and difficulties, but the defining quality of good karate-ka are about
how they face those problems with a karate mind.

Weapons
1. The Bo
History: The bo derives from an everyday utility called a tenbin. This is a
wooden support which is held across the shoulders and used to suspend
items such as buckets of water, food or other packed items.

Form and Methods of Use: It is usually made of Oak and the standard length
of 6 feet gives it its Japanese name of rokushaku bo. The most common bo
type today is round with tapered ends. Its solid form and length made it
extremely effective against swordsmen. The bo can be used jabbing at either
end or striking in a swinging motion. It can also be used defensively parrying,
blocking or trapping.

Of particular interest Sensei

Kanazawa (opposite) produced two
bo katas in the 1970s: Kanazawa
No Bo Dai and Kanazawa No Bo
Sho. Sensei Seamus ODowd is
one of the leading western
exponents of these katas and also
has demonstrated the use of the bo
in Jitte.

2. The Sai
History: The sai while normally associated with the island Okinawa, is thought
to be of Chinese origin. It is believed to have evolved from a pitch fork for
carrying bales of hay. There are variations of this weapon that seem to have
been used much like a police truncheon. Indeed, it was used as such in the
17th Century Okinawa.

Form and Methods of Use: It is usually metal in construction. Its points are
dulled and can be used for prodding. It was used to stab, block, trap and
punch. Practitioners often carried a sai in each hand, and a "spare"' at the
belt. The weapon could also be thrown. The shorter side prongs made it
effective for catching and trappping long reach weapons such as the sword
and bo. The sai tends to be used in pairs which means that practitioners must
be effective in its use for both left and right hands.

3. Kama (Sickle)
History: The kama is a harvesting tool used for cutting and collecting grass
and rice. Being a bladed instrument it is not difficult to imagine this being a
quite deadly weapon.

Form and Methods of Use: Like the sai, the kama is most often used in pairs
cutting from side to side, from underneath, or from above. Its handle is most
often made of wood which makes it a much lighter weapon than a sai. In close
range fighting, the sickle could be used to trap an opponent's weapon, or for
striking. Techniques include circular movements which involve blocking and
countering.

4. Tonfa (Side Handle Baton)

History: Originally a bean or rice grinder, the tonfa's (below) circular
movements as a farm implement evolved into its rotating strikes as a weapon.

Form and Methods of Use: The side of the tonfa

was used for blocking, and the ends for direct
punches. The tonfa was developed as a weapon
by the Okinawans, specifically for use in
conjunction with karate. Two tonfas were often
used simultaneously, and were very efficient
against armed assailants.
The tonfa while an ancient weapon, as a baton,
has been the popular weapon of choice for many
modern law enforcement for many years due to
its versatility.
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The Karate Kata

Weapons Bunkai
I believe that almost any kata could be adapted to have a weapons bunkai.
For example with the kata Gankaku this includes a combined side block
followed by a grasping block which could be conceived as dealing with a knife
attack.
It also has moves which would be very effective for use with a bo or sai
particularly the various manji uke techniques which would involve very
effective blocking, sweeping and striking with the said weapons see below:

Kata Examples
Below are some visual examples of moves and the kata they are most closely
related to.
1. The bo utilising one of the key moves in Meikyo

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2. Here is a tonfa, kama and sai in some the characteristic moves of Sochin

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3. The following picture shows the signature move of Kanku Sho with the sai

4. Here Heian Yondan and Kanku Dai moves also with tonfa

5. Bassai Dai with Kama

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Modern Day Weapons

I was tempted when writing this to talk about pepper spray, guns, tasers the
sorts of things a modern law enforcement, security or military personnel might
use. But perhaps with inspiration from Okinawan kobudo (and little tongue in
cheek) I thought about what everyday things might be used as a weapon. As
karateka we use our hands and feet but how about our imagination. What
might that lead to? Here are some things that might be used as weapons

Aerosol spray: Into an opponents eyes/face to confuse and

disorientate.

Desk top tools: Tape dispenser, stapler could be thrown to stop an

attacker or reach an attacker at distance.

A newspaper: A tightly rolled newspaper: this can be used to parry a

knife attack. Striking to the side of the head or ears can be very
effective.

A jacket: Can be used to defend against a knife attack concealing your

true position and hooking the knife.

A bottle of water. Can be thrown as would be heavy if full or even

sprayed to disorientate an opponent.

I look at this as thinking with a karate mind. By applying your self defence
knowledge imaginatively and creatively - who knows? It could get you out of a
tight spot one day or just keep you amused in thought as you pass the time.

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Conclusion
In a way I have set myself up to face the following criticism:
Why discuss weapons when karate is an unarmed martial art?
In true karate style I have defended my position with examples from masters
past and present; drawing parallels with karate and kobudo; and a discussion
of weapons bunkai with karate kata.

For me the circle is completed by the suggestion that karate-do and kobudo
(although distinct disciplines) can be seen as a defensive state of mind where,
by using your imagination, everyday items can become weapons whether
this is just your hands or feet or an item you might use in your daily life.

Gerry Ansell
Lee Valley Shotokan Karate Club
November 2012

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References and Resources

Seamus ODowd Weapons in Karate The Shotokan Way Online Magazine
http://www.theshotokanway.com/weaponsinkarate.html
Kim, Richard (1974), Weaponless Warriors
Nagamine, Shoshin (1976), The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do, Tuttle,
Tokyo
Northrup and Ang (2011) Karate BC - KarateBC.org
Peter Lindsay 2012 http://www.shotokankarate.ca/kobudo.htm
Nakayama 1987 Best Karate Series
Stricker M. K (1988) Weapons Article Black Belt Magazine Feb 1988
http://www.shotokai.com/ingles/others/weapons.html
http://real-self-defense.com/free-self-defense-tips/self-defense-tip-71/
http://www.samurai-jiujitsu.co.uk/BO.html

DrobyshevskyKarateSystem:SECRETS HEIAN GODAN-1-Manji Uke Bo

Disarm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHSsGg-LE4.
http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/self-defense-training/self-defense-forwomen/improvised-self-defense-weapons-how-to-turn-everyday-objects-toyour-advantage/

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Lee Valley Shotokan Karate Club

Lee Valley High School
Bullsmoor Lane
Enfield
Middlesex
EN3 6TW
Website: http://leavalley.noblemeleka.co.uk/

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