Bo

There are 4 kinds of Bo or Kon used in the system, San Shaku or Jo Bo, Roku Shaku, Kyu Shaku and Eiku or Suna Kake no Kon.  The Bo is the main stay of Ryukyu Kobujutsu and its usage and posture is almost the same as the sword.  The Roku Shaku (6ft) Bo is the predominant kind of Bo used and attracts the main interest by practitioners.

Bo jutsu differs from ken jutsu in that, unlike the ken (sword), the bo (long stick) is a protean weapon and any part of it can be used as a blade. In other words, even in kumitachi (paired sword partner practice), a sword is incapable of injuring the enemy unless the blade strikes him. On the other hand, a bo has no edge or shaft, so it has great versatility. Any part of its length can be used for techniques such as nagi (mowing down), tsuki (punching), or utsu (striking).

It is said that techniques from the north and the south were integrated with those native to Okinawa, and then further research carried out, in order to develop the present Bo jutsu. During training, it is important to try to apply a technique swiftly and surely, and at the same time to conduct body handling swiftly by constantly studying and practicing alternating offensive and defensive moves.