The Bo is a wooden staff normally 6 feet long (approx 180cm). The Bo was a common weapon of the gate guards at the castles of Okinawa.

• Bo Kihon
• Sakagawa no Kun
• Sakagawa Nidansaku
• Sakagawa Sandansaku
• Sakagawa Kuzushi
• Suji no Kun
• Sukumi no Kun

The Jo is shorter than the Bo, commonly being 4 feet long (approx 120cm).

We study the following Jo kata:

• Jo Kihon
• Tsukumino no Kun
• Suji no Kun
• Sakagawa no Jo
• Sakagawa Nidansaku no Jo
• Sakagawa Sandansaku no Jo

The Kama are short sickles which developed into a weapon from their original use as a farm tool. Kama are usually used in pairs, although they can be used singly. Training Kama have either lightweight metal or wooden blades.

We study the following Kama kata:

• Kama Kihon
• Kama Kuzushi Sho
• Kama Kuzushi Dai

Tanbo are short batons typically 24 inches in length (approx 60cm). They can be tapered. Larger at the handle end reducing in size down to the striking end, or they can be straight. Tanbo are commonly used in pairs.

We study the following Tanbo kata:

• Tanbo Kihon
• Tanbo Kuzushi Sho
• Tanbo Kuzushi Dai

Often referred to as "Okinawan handcuffs" when properly used, the Nunchaku can render an attacker helpless quickly. The Nunchaku originated as a bridle for workhorses - quite like the one depicted to the left of the image.


The triple-sectioned nunchuku is called a san setsu-kon. The Alliance currently has no kata for this weapon.

The Eiku developed into a weapon from its traditional use as the steering oar from small boats. The Eiku is a heavy weapon which develops strength and flowing motion.

We study the following Eiku kata:

• Kihon Matsumura
• Matsumura Dai

The steel Sai were originally truncheons used by Okinawan warriors. Sai are normally used in pairs, sometimes with a third in case the user lost one.

We study the following Sai kata:

• Kunishi no Sai
• Uhugushiku no Sai

As the name indicates, these are a type of Sai, the Manji however are quite different to normal Sai. Manji Sai require a high level of coordination to use well, thuis making them a difficult weapon to master.

As with the Chizikunbo, we only study one Manji Sai kata at this time.

The Tonfa are reputed to have developed from the handles of a wheat grindstone. Like the Sai, Nunchaku, Tanbo and Kama, the Tonfa are commonly used in pairs. The shape of the Tonfa varies dramatically depending upon the place of origin.

We study the following Tonfa kata:

• Tonfa Kihon Sho
• Tonfa Kihon Dai
• Tonfa Kuzushi Sho
• Tonfa Kuzushi Dai

The Chizikunbo are a short hand held wooden weapon used in pairs. Chizikunbo have a small rope loop which is slipped over the fingers allow the Chizikunbo to be held in the palm of the hand.

At this time, we study only one Chizikunbo kata.

The Nunte Bo is a cross between a normal Bo and the Manji Sai. Combining the best elements of these two weapons, the Nunte Bo is similar in appearance to an Anglo-Saxon pole-arm.

Again, like the Chizikunbo and Manji Sai, we currently study only one kata for this weapon.