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Writer's pictureSensei Alpha-KarateBoost

From “Bo & Nunchaku” to Karate

A lot has been written by researchers and Okinawan Karate Masters / pioneers themselves about the origins of Kobudo and Karate in Okinawa. One of the questions still up for debate is, whether Kobudo somehow emerged from Karate, or the other way around? We have multiple theories by very respectable and credible sources. In this article, my intentions are simply to provide my theory, based on my own research and practice of both Kobudo and Karate, with simple explanations based on practical and physical observation.

Before answering the question, we now know through various research that the history and evolution of Karate, called “Te” at the time, is complex to trace, and not all Karate in Okinawa originated from a single source. The evolution of this art has been influenced by many factors, one being the fact that many Karate pioneers travelled back and forth to Southern China to trace the source of Karate at different point in time, as well as to enrich their Martial art, feeding and modifying Karate on Okinawa islands. The other factor is the fact that Chinese settlers were in Okinawa at some point (mainly in the Naha area) , and also possibly influenced the emergence and evolution of both Kobudo and Karate. Some of the early forms of Kobudo and Karate might have been inspired by them, while other forms might have originated straight from Okinawan.

Among the many kobudo weapons present in Okinawa today, one seems to have been more extensively used and developed than others: The Bo (staff) or “Kon” in Okinawan, a wooden staff at the center of Kobudo.

Taira Shinken - Pioneer of Okinawan Bo restoration and development


Throughout human history, It has always been in human nature to use any object widely available, as a mean to defend ourselves. After-all, a staff has been used by Okinawan farmers for a very long time, as a mean to easily transport/ balance things (like buckets or baskets) while on foot, and as such, its widespread use could easily explain the source of inspiration to develop a self-defence weapon out of it. Whether some form of Bojutsu (The art of using the Bo) was native of Okinawa or whether it was directly or indirectly imported from southern China, Bojutsu was developed and perfected on the islands, and might have been the first Kobudo weapon ever used there. It is my belief that the Bo was used as a self-defence weapon before any early form of Karate was ever created. Like with any other weapon, it is always possible to be dispossessed of your weapon while in combat, and assuming we were at the early stage of Kobudo, being dispossessed of your only weapon, you would become completely vulnerable. This very fact, I believe could possibly have been one of the incentives to develop an empty hand self-defence method. It is my theory that at least one origin of Karate is entirely rooted from the motions of the only weapon okinawan knew at the time: The Bo. And then, an empty hand self-defence method was created, inspired by the motions of the Bo. Out of the need to carry a smaller and concealable weapon that would also allow for closer range combat, the Nunchaku possibly also got introduced.


Nunchaku - Okinawan version


The Nunchaku’s motions, in turn might have inspired more Karate moves, that helped further develop some of Okinawa’s empty hand self-defence methods. The similarities between the Bo and the Nunchaku lies in the fact that both weapons have a double hand grip on a single weapon. Using these two weapons typical motions to create the core of Karate moves would make it easy to learn their new empty hand self-defence method that would naturally be in harmony with their existing weapon way of defense. Not convinced? Take a look at all major Karate blocks, strikes, or even kicks, especially in Shruri-Te originated Karate; The motion resemblance between the two weapons (Bo and Nunchaku) and Karate blocking/ striking techniques are obvious!

Take a look at the following non exhaustive examples of Karate moves, and their Bo/Nunchaku theoretical originated moves:


- Bo low side strike = Harai Uke/Gedan Barai

- Bo outside middle block = Yoko uchi/ soto uke

- Bo inside middle block = Typical Naha-Te block from Seisan / Superempei kata

- Bo vertical forward block = Yama tsuki

- Bo overhead strike = Uraken with hikite (Matsumura Seisan, Kushanku kata)

- Nunchaku horizontal reverse grip strike = Mawashi Tsuki with hikite

- Nunchaku Kakoi kamae = Tate Empi.

- Nunchaku waki kamae = Mawashi empi

- Nunchaku switch from Kane Kamae Left to right = Right Koté uke / Shuto uke jodan

(old style squared Shuto)

- Nunchaku diagonal upward strike = Mikazuki Geri

- Nunchaku vertical upward strike = Mae Geri

- Nunchaku horizontal strike = Mawashi Geri

- Nunchaku ichimonji kamae = Jodan age uke


It is my theory that, only after Karate was fairly developed, other Kobudo weapons got introduced, mainly “pair” weapons (two identical separate weapons, one held in each hand simultaneously), like the Tonfas and Sais, and that the weapons got developed specifically using existing core Karate moves.

In the end, my theory shows that Some Kobudo weapons preceded Empty hand karate, and other Kobudo weapons followed Karate, inspired by it.



Toronto, Alpha - KarateBoost blog



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