Karate Weapons

Click here to see our selection of Karate Weapons.

Many martial arts use weapons. Along with striking and grappling, weapons training is a part of most styles. Weapons training usually comes later when the student has mastered the basic moves needed.

In karate most weapons come from items commonly found around the farm. This came from the ban on weapons in Okinawa in the 1400’s. Okinawa was being invaded by a Japanese clan and all weapons were destroyed. Using farm items helped avoid drawing attention while still allowing the villagers to practice their martial arts.

Different styles of karate and martial arts use different weapons. Goju-Ryu style uses bokken and Bo staffs. Okinawan kempo karate also uses a Bo staff. Bushido karate uses a Bo staff and a bokken as well. There are even certain martial arts in which the main focus is on weapon use such as Kali, Iado, and Kendo which uses a Japanese sword called a shinai.

A Bo staff is a long wooden staff made of bamboo or some other hard wood. A Bo staff can also be a broom or rake handle. Using brooms and rakes is how the villagers were able to practice without “weapons.”

Bokken is a Japanese wooden sword. The wooden sword is a safer option for training. The sword is often used after basic defense techniques are taught.

A tonfa or tuifa resembles a nightstick used by police. It is believed the weapon originated from the handles of grist mills. They are used in pairs.

An eaku originated from a boat oar. The paddle side is the weapon side and it is not a two sided weapon. Today the paddle does most of the action; originally sand was also flung with the paddle for the “attacking with sand” technique.

Nanchaku (commonly mispronounced as nun chucks) are not for real life fights. This karate weapon may have originated from a bridle. They are swung in a figure eight pattern and can be quite dangerous is used improperly.

When practicing karate or other martial arts the weapons are relatively easy to learn because weapons are only added to mastered techniques. For example once a reverse strike is mastered adding a Bo staff to the strike is fairly simple.

Another key component to karate weapons training is learning to evade attacks from weapons, including by knife and gun. Using evasive maneuvers to protect oneself is a crucial part of martial arts training.

Karate is a popular sport worldwide. Many people find it not only a great form of exercise, but a good way to learn self-defense and discipline. Weapons are added once the student has become comfortable and self-confident. Using mind over strength is one of the basic principles of martial arts and although the sports are often very physical one does not have to be bulky or huge to be successful.

Click here to view your cart