Saturdays 2pm - UWA Gymnasium.
Beginners and newcomers welcome at any time.
The Bo, or staff was probably one of the first weapons used by man. It was readily available, easy to handle, and could be used for multiple purposes.
Usually made of Red or White Oak, the Bo is generally 6 foot in length (but can be cut to the height of the user). Bo are often tapered towards the ends to improve balance and focus power to a smaller target.
When selecting a Bo examine the weapon carefully. A good Bo should be straight, not curved or bent. Try rolling the Bo on the floor as a simple test.
The Bo has excellent range for a hand weapon, and thus affords the user a variety of attack and defense options.
The Bo is gripped with the hands spaced to divide the weapon into thirds. However as skill develops students learn kata where the grip is varied to allowing full use of the weapons potential range.
Tonfa consist of a wooden shaft (Red or White Oak) approximately 17 to 22 inches in length, with a handle protruding 90 degrees out of it about a quarter of the distance along the shaft.
When selecting Tonfa examine the handle carefully, it should be pegged and glued for strength. When gripped the Tonfa should extend a few centimeters past the elbow to enable correct blocking.
Tonfa are used in pairs, one in each hand. The handle is gripped in a fist with each shaft lying along the users forearm. This permits Tonfa to be applied in a similar way to empty handed karate techniques.
Effective against both short and long range weapons, in the 1970's, Lon Anderson developed single Tonfa techniques for law enforcement officers lifting the profile of this Kobudo weapon.
Rotation, spinning, and proper control require many hours of practice.
Sai consist of a metal shaft between 15 and 20 inches in length, with forward curving hand guards, grip, and pommel. They look like a miniature trident.
As with Tonfa, if selecting Sai ensure that when gripped against the forearm, the shaft extends a few centimeters past the elbow to ensure full protection countering an attack.
Sai were primarily a defensive weapon, and usually two or three were carried. The third Sai was often thrown at an advancing enemy. The shaft is used for strikes or in a stabbing motion. The hand guards are effective to catch and trap a strike from weapons like the Bo or sword. The butt end is effective for striking techniques similar to a karate punch.
Sai are considered a difficult weapon to master. The use of the Sai requires a high standard of training and skill to achieve smooth and fluid handling.
Nunchaku have been immortalized by the Bruce Lee movies. Nunchaku are a member of the flail family, and constructed by attaching two wooden shafts approximately 12 inches in length together with a rope or chain.
When selecting Nunchaku, the proper length is normally equal the distance from the middle of a users hand to their elbow.
Truly tremendous forces can be created by swinging the Nunchaku, with the impact end reaching speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour. Nunchaku can be used for attack or as an effective defensive/control tool trapping weapons or limbs.
Due to the difficulty of wielding the weapon, Nunchaku training demands exceptional skill, coordination, and awareness.
Training Wed 5.30pm and Sat 2pm - University of Western Australia Gymnasium