Kodokai Dojo
Authentic Martial Arts Straight fom Okinawa, Japan
iai-dori, sword taking
Bo instruction at Kodokai
'All is Ken.'
'Everything is a Sword'
- My teacher, Taira sensei
Weapons training teaches you how to use anything as a weapon while developing an awareness of the effective distance, trajectory, strengths and weaknesses of various weapons. Even something a simple as recognizing the type of grip being used can inform a skilled person about the likely angle of attack that might occur. This is valuable information to have when having to defend against a weapon.
The weapons we use in class serve as representatives for other things that may be used as a weapon (ax, baseball bat, knife, machete, rope, chain, etc...). As Taira Sensei frequently reminded me, 'Everything is a sword'.
Kenjutsu with Taira Sensei, Okinawa.
Weapons classes are a great way to improve your fitness while learning new and challenging skills.
Why Join Kodokai Dojo?
Sure, every school can offer a few token weapons forms (choreographed routines). But too often, these movements are simply for show and are not related to historical weapons arts. They are performing arts, not martial arts. Very few instructors teach the practical use of weapons because few have had the training to earn teaching credentials in weapons arts- most simply have rank in something like karate (which literally means 'empty hands').
At Kodokai you will learn from an instructor who learned these historical Okinawan arts in Okinawa.
Our experience and qualifications allow us to teach a depth and breadth of skills that few schools can offer. For instance, we are the only school outside Japan where you can learn the sword arts of Okinawa.
Ko
Bu
Jutsu
Just So You Know...
Kobujutsu = ancient martial arts, particularly arts that use weapons.
Iaido, or iaijutsu = the art drawing the sword.
Kenjutsu = battlefield tactics where the sword is already drawn.
Bo-jutsu = techniques using a wooden staff.
While we offer instruction in over 20 different weapons, your first year of training is focused on practical use of the katana (a.k.a. samurai sword) and bo (six foot staff). Classes are one hour long.
As you continue to study you may learn diverse skills with a wide array of weapons as you continue to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the sword and staff.
My first weapons teacher, Seikichi Odo,
on the left, practicing with kama (sickle) against tonfa.
When I first began with Odo Sensei I knew nothing about weapons. I continued as his student until his death, eventually receiving 8th degree black belt from him.
Upon Odo Sensei's passing I was accepted as a student under Sensei's Taira and Takamiyagi, masters of the art of Udundi.
Absolutely Authentic Weapons Arts Straight From The Source
Here is a peek into some of my personal instruction with Taira sensei and Takamiyagi sensei. The weapons arts that you learn at Kodokai Dojo are absolutely legit and come straight from the source.
Click on the music note to hear sound.
Odo Kobujutsu
Odo Kobujutsu is one of the more diverse weapons systems of Okinawa. It employs practical strategies and powerful techniques.
This style represents the lifelong work of my teacher, Odo Seikichi, who researched various weapon methods under the tuteledge of masters Matayoshi, Toma, Kakazu, Nakamura and Seiko.
Odo Sensei
Udundi Kobujutsu
Udundi Kobujutsu, the martial arts of the former ruling family, includes weapons that were not available to commoners. The katana, straight swords, naginata and broadswords are examples of this.
Udundi was a battlefield art and, therefore, has unique strategies and skills for dealing with multiple attackers. Udundi was also a bodyguard art and includes many forms of restraint and non-lethal use of weapons making it a very practical method.
I was taught by Masters Takamiyagi Tetsuo and Taira Ryoshu and I am a 5th degree black belt certified to teach this method.
Taira Sensei
