JosephBlow
5th April 2001, 03:38
Can clear distinctions be drawn in the way that the bo is used in Japanese ryuha and the way Okinawans use it?
For Japanese arts, I have seen the bo kata for Katori Shintoryu and the bo and jo kata for Kashima Shinryu. For Okinawan arts, I have seen the kata done by Matayoshi Shimpo, Inoue Motokazu, Chotoku Kyan, Soken Hohan, Tatsuo Shimabuku and several of the Yamaneryu kata.
Both Katori Shintoryu and Kashima Shinryu tended to use one end of the bo and employ it as a longer range weapon, presumably because it was being trained for use against a sword. Based on what I've seen, the Okinawan arts tended to break the bo into thirds and used both ends (though a couple of systems taught users to slide grips up and down the bo freely at a certain level, enabling the long-grip use as well). Footwork was a little different too, in part I assume because the Japanese arts I've seen were "sogo bujutsu" where ancillary weapons are heavily affected by the kenjutsu core.
I realize that this question may be unanswerable because it requires one to first lump disparate arts into two groups. For example, there may be a disparity in usage between Japanese groups who learn the bo as a supplement and those who focus on bo. Nevertheless, has anyone else tried to make this sort of comparison between Japan and Okinawa and if so, how fruitful was it? (I also welcome explanations why this is a waste of time.)
Also, if possible I'd love to see a Tokyo school teaching good bo and jo. (I am in Minato-ku.) I am happy to give whatever info about me you need.
Best regards,
Rich Boyden
For Japanese arts, I have seen the bo kata for Katori Shintoryu and the bo and jo kata for Kashima Shinryu. For Okinawan arts, I have seen the kata done by Matayoshi Shimpo, Inoue Motokazu, Chotoku Kyan, Soken Hohan, Tatsuo Shimabuku and several of the Yamaneryu kata.
Both Katori Shintoryu and Kashima Shinryu tended to use one end of the bo and employ it as a longer range weapon, presumably because it was being trained for use against a sword. Based on what I've seen, the Okinawan arts tended to break the bo into thirds and used both ends (though a couple of systems taught users to slide grips up and down the bo freely at a certain level, enabling the long-grip use as well). Footwork was a little different too, in part I assume because the Japanese arts I've seen were "sogo bujutsu" where ancillary weapons are heavily affected by the kenjutsu core.
I realize that this question may be unanswerable because it requires one to first lump disparate arts into two groups. For example, there may be a disparity in usage between Japanese groups who learn the bo as a supplement and those who focus on bo. Nevertheless, has anyone else tried to make this sort of comparison between Japan and Okinawa and if so, how fruitful was it? (I also welcome explanations why this is a waste of time.)
Also, if possible I'd love to see a Tokyo school teaching good bo and jo. (I am in Minato-ku.) I am happy to give whatever info about me you need.
Best regards,
Rich Boyden