"My Way Of Kobudo" Book One is an introduction of various Okinawan and Japanese ancient Martial Arts weapons including the Bo; Tonfa; Kama; Sai and the Nunchaku Kata (patterns/forms) along with some appropriate analysis of the weapons suitable for the beginner to advance level practitioners. www.shitoryu.org

Japan’s Ryukyu archipelago was the birthplace of two methods of self-defense now practiced worldwide: Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu Kobujutsu, known as Okinawan Kobudo. Kobudo is the study of weapons adapted from the tools of farming and fishing. Okinawan Kobudo reveals, for the first time through print and photographs, the rich history and techniques of this most prestigious martial art known worldwide as Matayoshi. Andrea Guarelli traces the history of Matayoshi Kobudo, explores the background of each weapon, and demonstrates the form and technique of practice through rare photos, many of which the author took while a student of Shinpo Matayoshi Sensei (1921–1997). Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, is proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. In addition to books on popular team sports, we also publish books for a wide variety of athletes and sports enthusiasts, including books on running, cycling, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, martial arts, golf, camping, hiking, aviation, boating, and so much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

This work clearly defines and catalogues the fifty historical hand-held weapons that were used in Okinawa Prefecture and the Ryukyu Islands from the dawn of its history. It show the stages of development and introduction of these weapons to the islands and how they affected the culture through the ages. The 'standard five' popular weapons of the modern era (bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku & kama) are described in detail with many scale drawings, but surprisingly, it clearly shows the influence of bladed weapons, such as the curved sword. Firearms also made a huge contribution to Ryukyuan weapon development, so these are also introduced in their historical context. Most surprising is the contextual detail of the historic eras, such as the affects of the Satsuma Invasion of the Ryukyu Islands in 1609 & the dissolution of the monarchy in 1879. Contrary to popular myth, between these years Okinawans did not adopt farmers tools for self protection, for quite a different history is revealed herein.

While training with Master Nakamura, he charged Master Odo to bring together all his vast knowledge of kenpo karate and kobudō from his past instructors: Sensei Koho Kuba (Tomari-te), Master Shinpo Matayoshi and Sensei Mitsuo Kakazu (kobudō), Seiki Toma (kobudō), and Master Shigeru Nakamura (Naha-te & Shuri-te). In 1972, the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Renmei appointed Master Odo as president of the All Okinawa Kenpo Karate-do League. Soon after his appointment, Master Odo completed incorporating kobudō into the Okinawa kenpo karate empty-hand system as taught by Master Nakamura. Master Odo became one of the first instructors to combine a karate system with a complete weapons system. This book is an example of the organized system that Master Odo developed. Weapons presented in this text include the bó (staff), tunfá (millstone handle), sai (dagger-shaped metal truncheon), kama (sickle or hand scythe), nunchaku (flail), and nunte-bó (staff with gaff).This book contains a detail description of the Kobudō kata as taught by Master Seikichi Odo to Professor Bill Marron in the early 1970's. Each kata is based upon the first 3 instructional DVDs developed by Professor Marron and Shihan Crayton Moss. It is advised that students first learn the kata from a qualified instructor of Kobudō and use the detailed texts and DVDs to develop their expertise. This book was designed to help the Kobudōka remember the kata when they get a mental block while practicing. Each Directional Series with specific technical steps correspond directly with the detailed steps of the DVDs listed below. Our desire is each kata remain true according to Master Odo's wish, "keep the 'old ways' straight."For more information contact American Kenpo Karate and Weapons system (AKKW.net).Instructional Weapons (Kobudō) DVDs1. Yellow & Blue belt rankingBó 1: Shihonuki; Bó 2: Chou No Kun; Bó 3: Suiyoshi No Kun Ichi; Tunfá 1: Matayoshi No Tunfá Ichi 2. Green & Purple belt rankingBó 4: Tsuken Akacho No Nunte; Sai 1: Nakamura No Sai Bó 5: Suiyoshi No Kun Ni; Kama 2: Matayoshi No Kama Ni3. Brown 1-3 belt rankingBó 7: Shima Igiri No Kun Ichi; Nunchaku: Matayoshi No NunchakuBó 8: Shima Igiri No Kun Ni; Sai 2: Chotoku Kyan No Sai Bó 9: Sakugawa No Kun Ichi; Tunfá 2: Matayoshi No Tunfá Ni Book Reviews:Professor Ron Rogers (Soke, Hanshi, Judan, Midori Yama Budokai)Having read many books on the weapons of Okinawa, "Kobudo, the Ancient Art of Okinawa Weapons," by William Marron, Hanshi and Crayton Moss, Shihan, is one of the most comprehensive. It is well written and is an excellent adjunct for their demonstrations on the DVD sets. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Weapon arts of Okinawa. Congratulations on an excellent publication.Professor Ken Baker (Hanshi, Judan, Midori Yama Budokai)Having been a student of Okinawa Weapons since 1978, I was very pleased to receive an advance copy of "Kobudo, the Ancient Art of Okinawa Weapons," by William Marron (10th Black, Hanshi,-Professor) and Crayton Moss (7th 'Black, Shihan). It is a book that goes into such great detail on one of my favorite styles of practice. I have personally trained under Marron Hanshi. He was an excellent practitioner, a true gentleman and a great friend. He is greatly missed. I am so pleased that his protégé Moss, Shihan has continued to keep this legacy going forward with such a fine book. The DVD's and the book will go hand in hand to further the study of Kobudo.Note: A color edition is also available.

A personal, philosophical, and historical exploration of Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate written by an experienced master. In Wandering Along the Way of Okinawan Karate, Giles Hopkins draws on his fifty years of martial arts experience to take the reader on a journey through the meaning of kata (form) and bunkai (application) in Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. Hopkins offers his personal reflections on the enigma of karate kata while explaining many of its little-understood applications. With skill and insight into kata's connection to nature, the book addresses key topics such as why some movements are done slowly while others are fast, the significance of steps and turns, and the role of tradition in karate. The purpose of kata solo patterns is to solidify specific self-defense techniques. Contrary to the commonly held belief that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, Hopkins argues that kata embodies specific martial principles that must be followed rigorously for it to be truly effective. He also reveals the spiritual dimensions of martial arts by explaining its deep connection to nature. Providing new understanding of kata structure, themes, and martial art principles, Hopkins sheds light on the practitioner's journey.

Bo-Jutsu is a martial art of traditional Japanese longstick fighting. This special martial art has its originon the Ryu Kyu Islands of Okinawa. In Kobudo - Bo-Jutsu,the beginner will find a systematic introduction into thebasics of Bo fighting techniques. The advanced studentwill get important insights into training instructions,and ......