Okinawa is a string of islands that lie between China and Japan and has been a common battle field for both its neighbors for many centuries. The Okinawan weapons are an integral part of Okinawan martial arts. In 1477 all weapons in Okinawa were banned and confiscated. This political move directly led to the development of two different fighting systems. Te, practised by the nobility, is a form of empty hand combat; and Kobudo, developed by farmers and fishermen is a form of armed combat using simple farming tools and everyday implements as weapons. In both systems, training was conducted in strict secrecy. In some circles if one does not know weapons, one is not considered well rounded in martial arts.

The weapons that we teach at our school are the bo (6′ staff), sai (forked prongs), jo (4′ staff), the tong fa (tool for grinding rice into flower), kama (sickle), ulesi (a Filipino weapon), knife procedures, Iaido (the way of drawing the sword), and Kenjutsu, (the use of the sword in battle). The major purpose of training with weapons is to teach the difference between life and death. This comes about when a person realizes just how lethal weapons are. There is a drastic difference between fighting with an empty hand and fighting with a weapon. For example, a punch to the chest stuns, while the same technique done with a sword kills. Therefore training with weapons requires greater mental focus than empty hand training, and it helps students gain a greater appreciation for life.

Instant Samurai (video) | Gunasoke no Satori (video) | Rai Rai Rai Ocerotu (video)

In Kobudo the weapon is simply used as an extension of the body. Nearly all basic Karate-Do moves can be duplicated with a weapon in your hand, therefore, the perfection of basic moves is a necessity for weapons training. The most useful weapons for present day training are either the bo or the jo, usually made from oak. The police night stick is derived from the tong fa. The same moves learned with these weapons can be applied to a broom, walking stick, umbrella or a rolled up newspaper.

Iaido – Kenjutsu – Jodo (Weapon Arts of the Samurai)

Niten Ichi Ryu - Martial Arts Toronto Iaido is the art of drawing and cutting with the Katana. This method of practice dates back to the Tokugawa Period 400 years ago. We study Seitei Iaido, and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido.

Iaido Enbu (video)

Escrima (which means to skirmish) is a Filipino Martial Art which has been traced back to the 9th century. When the Spanish first invaded the Philippines in the 16th century, their steel swords and armour proved no match for the Filipinos swift, elusive, and vicious sticks. The turbulent land saw many battles. The Filipinos learned new techniques from each invading force and developed a complex fighting system using empty hands, swords, sticks, clubs, staffs, lances, and knives. Eventually the Spanish managed to subdue the Filipinos by use of firearms, and thus conquered the land. In 1764, when Spanish control was complete, the practice of Es