Kodokai Dojo
Straight from the Source
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.
Many people are attracted to this training for it's cultural value, for light exercise, or simply because they are interested in learning to use a katana or bo (staff).
Kenjutsu with Taira Sensei, Okinawa.
Weapons classes are a great way to engage in light exercize while learning new and challenging skills.
The Bo (staff)
The bo that we typically use is a six foot staff though we also teach the use of the hanbo (short stick) and jo (4' staff).
The stick was probably one of the first weapons used by man to defend oneself or collect food and it still holds an appeal to many of us! If you ever wanted to learn to use a staff there is no better place in the state.
Why Choose 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 (real) weapons arts. They are performing arts, not martial arts. Very few instructors teach practical weapon skills because few have teaching credentials in weapons arts- most simply have rank in karate (which literally means 'empty hands' aka 'no weapons') and merely claim to be weapons 'experts'.
At Kodokai you will learn from an instructor who learned these historical Okinawan arts on the island of Okinawa.
Our experience and qualifications allow us to teach a depth and breadth of skills that few schools can offer.
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, we focus on the 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 while broadening 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.
No Made-up Stuff!
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
