Although just a simple 6ft stick of hardwood, the bo is a difficult tool to master as a weapon. In fact, it is the weapon we train with the most. Serving as the foundation of our system, the bo, or khun,  has the largest syllabus, boasting the widest range of basic exercises, partner drills, and forms. It serves as a great foundation for the more advanced two-handed weapons.

Popularized by the ninja turtle  Raphael, sai are effective weapons that block, hook, strike, stab, and can even be thrown. Although most of the Okinawan weapons are made of wood, the sai or among the few that are made of metal. There are variations to the sai design. We also train with the nunti and manji sai. The sai were once a tool used by police in Okinawa for crowd control.

"Nunchucks" facinated the western world when Bruce Lee hit the scene in 70s. Although the film "Enter the Dragon" featured nunchaku ends joined by a chain, nunchaku are traditionally joined by rope, making them much faster. Although predominantly a tool that is swung, nunchaku are used in a variety of ways for striking, blocking, and controlling an opponent or their weapon. Nunchaku were originally curved, thicker, and served as the bridle for their mules, oxen and horses.

The tounkwa, also known as  tonfa, tunfa, tuifa, and tongfa, are effective blocking and striking weapons at medium and close range. In skilled hands the tonfa are fast, and attack and block from all angles and directions. Used as a pair, they block and counter-strike in unison, while adjusting instantly for distance by using either the short or long end. They can also be used in a hooking fashion by flipping them from handle to shaft in the blink of eye. Orinally, the tonfa was a handle used to turn a flour mill stone.

Tekko come in a variety of styles, some even ressembling brass knuckles. We favour the type shown above, or those with a cord for the middle finger rather than the wooden knuckle. These were used by fisherman to aid in the pulling in of nets, using the protruding ends. 

The nunti bo is a hardwood staff with a nunti sai protruding from its end. A heavy effective weapon for striking, spearing, hooking and pinning, the nunti bo is considered an advanced weapon. Its origin is a tool for pulling in fishing nets.

Tanbo translates as small stick. Although not part of the OKDR weapon syllabus, we train the use of the tanbo. Although there are devastating strikes with this tool, it is primarily used for controlling a person without the need to strike. 

The tinbei is a shield used with a blade in our system. In other kobudo systems you may see the tinbei used with a small spear called a rochin. Traditionally, a sea turtle shell was used as the shield. For obvious reasons, sea turtle shells have been replaced with metal tinbei.