The Eku or Kai or oar or paddle

[aruder]

Anyone ever used one? Is is more similar to the bo or to a polearm?

[Sauzin]

Yes I have experiance with the eku. It's a little similar to a bo or a polearm, probably more similar to a polearm, but it is unique in many ways. It is blade heavy and the paddle edge feels as though it would hit with authority. You have to learn how to distinguish between the round side and the angular side. And in general strikes and blocks are done in rowing motions. One advantage the eku has over polarms is it's speed. The bladed portion is not sharp and while it still very capable of lethally damaging an opponent, it won't get stuck like a bladed polarm could, making it very quick. I can't think of a weapon (except for maybe an automatic firearm) that I would prefer over the eku if I had to fight 6 people.

[scottnshelly]

I’ve seen these, but never seen one in action. Is this primarily used for thrusting, swinging, chopping, etc? I know with a bo you can jab with the end or knock someone over the head; how does the eku differ?

[AndrewGreen]

I got a little...

It is used similar to a bo in some ways. Bust strikes are generally done with the bladed end, almost like a slash. Thrusts are still done, again with the bladed end, usually aimed at the throat. The "unique" technique that usually gets pointed out as such is a scopping motion, throwing water/sand/dirt/whatever is there up into the opponent before a strike. The motions tend to be very circular, letting the bladed end follow through fully.

[aruder]

I know when the bo is used to perform empty hand katas, certain combinations are added to replace main puches or strikes. In the same sense, when performing an empty hand kata with the eku are there prescribed combinations utilizing the blade of the oar? What about in a bo kata? Do certain strikes always slash with the edge or slap with the flat? Are there specific eku katas?

[AndrewGreen]

There are specific eku katas, and they should be learnt, same as for the bo. Doing a empty hand form with a weapon is not a weapons form, it is a empty hand form gone wrong...

[Sauzin]

Let me repeat what Andrew Green said here. A weapon kata is not simply an empty hand kata with specific substitutions like a overhead strike where a punch would be. There's a lot more to a weapon kata. The stances are changed to fit the weapon, the movements are not just strikes, but locks, disarms, throws, sweeps, and in the case of the eku sand or coal flings. The maneuvers between these things employ complicated taisabaki (body shifting/movement) that enable their use. In order to optimize the use of a weapon you have to change almost every aspect of what you do. This is why kata are developed specifically for each individual weapon.

If you are interested in the eku my suggestion is you find someone who knows an eku kata that is at least 3 generations old. This means it has had time to be perfected and refined by at least 3 generations of masters.

[Andrew_Patton]

Adding to what Sauzin stated;

Eku and Bo are as far different as Tan Bo (short staff) and nunchaku are, they have simmilar nuances that correlate to one another (hip rotation, simmilar stances, hand placement etc.) but they are still worlds apart as far as application, hand changes/position, and your 'chambering' hand. Also motion wise, strikes with eku are a little more 'gentle' and 'flowing' appearance wise, whereas the bo is a little more directly to the point. Although just to state a fact, if you are doing Choun no Eku (e.g. Choun no Kun with an eku instead of a bo) you are not doing traditional Eku, but rather a bo kata with another weapon.

as with any weapon it is a bigger asset to yourself to learn that weapon instead of just playing with that weapon. Go find yourself an instructor that specializes in Kobudo (weaponry) instead of doing what I've seen several times (e.g. Pinan Nidan No sai) that's not learning a weapon at all, that's just playing around with a weapon.

[unknownstyle]

the forms ive seen done with them remind me of bo techniques