KenpoDenz

Yes they are some what similar to escrima sticks. They are usually about 2 feet long with a diameter of about 1 1/4 inch. It's mainly preference though. The ends can be grooved for getter gripping. Some system (ie Red Dragon Karate) have forms where the tanbo is held in the middle rather than the ends. I hope this helped out some. Take it easy.

Okay...so you heard from a friend that Shihan Lowe complained about Hawaii being to nice for Martial Arts or something like that and that nobody trains hard enough. I've been to many dojos in Hawaii (includeing Shihan Lowe's) and I can reassure you that we are not half way Martial Artist. Some of the greatest Martial Arts Masters have traveled into Hawaii and influenced the Martial Arts culture in Hawaii. The beach is something that's there all the time. When you grow up with it in your front or back yard, you see it everyday and it becomes nothing more than just another beach. If Martial Arts is truely your passion, the beach is not going to stop you from training just has hard as anywhere else in the world. Honestly, I think your buddy has mis-quoted Shihan Lowe. I've spoken with him on many occasions and he has never knocked the Martial Arts community we share in Hawaii.

I study Shindo Muso Ryu. Here is a web site with some info. http://www.jojutsu.com/ Hope this helps.

I grew up in Hawaii and currently stationed there. I have had the privilege to watch and listen to Shihan Bobby Lowe. After meeting Mas Oyama in Hawaii, he moved to Japan to learn Kyokushin (english translation "ultimate truth") directly from Oyama Sensei. Lowe Sensei was the first to open up a Kyokushin dojo out side of Japan. Lowe Sensei has been teaching Kyokushin for over 50 year in Hawaii and has published a few books about the system. Kyokushin is a very good system that requires endurance, tolerance and patience. I highly recommend it to anyone out there looking for a good, challenging system.

I study the Ryu Kyu Hon Kenpo (Okinawa Kenpo) of Master Seikichi Odo. Hakutsuru kata is part of our system. I am in the process of studying and researching the history of this kata. Will post another reply when I find some solid history and facts.