KOBUJUTSU

Kobujutsu is a Japanese term meaning 'old martial arts',thought today the general usage of the term narrowed to cover unusual Oriental weapons.

You may encounter the word KOBUDO, which means 'old martial way'. The two practices are almost indistinguishable from each other, the main difference being that kobujutsu teaches you how to use weapons effectively whereas kobudo teaches you how to be a more self-disciplined person through practising with weapons. The methods are essentially the same: only the objectives are different.

 

HISTORY

Until the early seventeenth century, when the island of Okinawa was annexed by the Japanese from the nearby mainland, it possessed its own military traditions based on a blending of the indigenous,

Chinese and Japanese systems.Unarmed and covertly-armed fighting systems were unusually prevalent since in 1470 an Okinawan royal edict forbade weapons to all except the king's officers. Without an effective police force to protect them, the peasants were obliged to use agricultural and domestic tools as weapons.

Skills in using these tools as weapons developed into traditions,traditions which exist to the present day. An essential part of these traditions is the training sequences, or kata, which were devised to familiarise users with the weapons' characteristics.

 

MASTERING MARTIAL WEAPONS

The road to excellence in kobujutsu practice is a long and hard one which makes great demands

on both the body and the mind of the student.

Physical fitness comes through practice but mental fitness is sometimes harder to develop.

First of all, kobujutsu practice calls for patience and persistence - to keep working at techniques until they are right. Secondly, kobujutsu demands a true humility which comes about only through self-knowledge. By all means be moderately pleased with yourself for reaching the standard you hold, but never be envious or contemptuous about the standard of others.

Thirdly, kobujutsu requires students to have an enquiring mind that looks closely at what is being taught. Don't be content merely to copy - understand as well - because knowledge allows you to develop your practice.

A weapon that is to be used in hand-to-hand combat or in practice must be felt to be an extension of one's own body and not merely a weapon.

 

TRAINING KOBUJUTSU WITHIN THE WORLD KOBUJUTSU ORGANISATION

Founded in 1993, the World Kobujutsu Organisation (WKO) represents the culmination of 30 years of general martial art experience. That is, three decades of study, development and refinement in both martial techniques, and in the methods of teaching them.

The WKO's Chief International Technical Director is Robert Clark.

The WKO is totally committed to the art of kobujutsu, to its continuing technical development and to teaching the art to anyone who is willing to learn. There are no exceptions to these commitments. From children and teenagers to elderly people and the physically disadvantaged, the WKO opens its doors to all. Whether you are looking to improve your martial skills or trying to increase your fitness, agility, awareness and self-confidence, the WKO can meet your needs.

Kobujutsu practice underlies many of the of the martial disciplines practised today, making it a valuable add-on to your current practice. Through practising it, you may well discover the purpose behind many of those moves in your patterns which have puzzled you for years.

The WKO offers the perfect philosophy, the perfect environment and the perfect opportunity to learn, understand and practise kobujutsu.

There is only one place to experience the world of kobujutsu and that is through the World Kobujutsu Organisation.