Seeking further weapons knowledge...

[parkerlineage]

I am a second degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, and have been training for 10 1/2 years. I just recently have moved from open-handed fighting to mastering weapons. Though my instructor is well versed in several styles, he either does not know, or does not teach, any more than basic weapons katas, because weapons are not a major branch of our system.

 

I have learned a bo staff kata that is satisfactory, but still mostly basic, a nunchuku kata that lacks in variation of attacks, and a sai kata that has only the three basic sai techniques (blocking, striking, and cutting) incorporated into one of our own katas (Short Form 2, for any of you Ed Parker Kenpo peoples).

 

I know that it is increadibly difficult, if not impossible, to learn adequately from instruction without a Sifu. However, I would like to know if there are any recommended sites that I might visit to expand my knowledge on the use of the sai, bo, or nunchuku.

 

PS. The leather on my sai handles (don't know the proper terminology for them, sorry), after about a half-year of use, have begun to unravel. Granted, they weren't expesive (they appear to be held on with some kind of semi-sticky tape) but I'd like to know if there are any recommendations for keeping them attatched.

[Shorin Ryuu]

If you really wish to get advanced weapons studies, I recommend that you get quality weapons. Places like crane-mountain, weapons connection, shureido and murasaki kobudo make some pretty good ones. Definitely get a pair of handmade sai, as the balance is so different between a pair of handmade sai and the cheap, mass produced ones. Weapons bought from these places can easily last a lifetime.

 

If you've been training with an instructor for 10 1/2 years, it strikes me as odd that the teacher will not show you any more forms than that. I would recommend seeing if there is a traditional Okinawan school nearby, they almost always teach weapons and probably would not mind if you attended their weapons classes.

 

As far as online resources...I can't help you...but I wanted to give you those two points of advice anyway...

[parkerlineage]

Thanks for the advice. I'll definetly look into buying myself a pair of decent sai; why does everything have to cost money?

 

Again, thank you.

[battousai16]

a lot of people say it's good to try to do your empty hand forms with weapons in them. in theorey you'll be able to apply everything with only slight alterations, and it makes for a good change. just a thought...