Weapons training practical?

[Shokei Marcsui]

I've always wondered this about weapons training, is it applicable to our daily lives? How many times will you be asked to "Give me your wallet!" while holding a Katana or even while strolling along with a bo. Does it enhance our martial arts any? I'd rather focus on ways to enhance my body a "natural weapon" rather than spending important time working on tonfa forms.

I'm sure weapons form/training had a place for a okinawan farmer defending himself in old times, but is it applicable to today's martial artist? Many martial artists are doing full contact (UFC and Pride) type competitions and I was just curious to see your opinions.

Thank you

[daizyblackbelt]

i train in traditional weapons because i enjoy using them. in truth, you are correct that practising with traditional weapon has very little "practical" value. however, training with the bo and sai in the yamanni-ryu style has made me question certain concepts of karate and explore the limits of my empty hand fighting and kata.

on the other hand, of all the possible traditional weapons, the bo and jo may be the most practical, they are only sticks after all...

you'll also find that some schools train in knife-fighting, and other concealable weapons that could be carried around and used in a confrontation. i've seen kenpo practitioners perform some intense knife katas, and some traditional kobudo people use some other strange, yet effective weapons that easily could be used in a .

personally, i practise martial arts because i love it (the physical activity, the competition, the friends, the beauty, the power, the speed, etc...). learning how to defend myself is merely a side-effect.

[Holland]

A lot of what we train in weapons affects our open hand karate as well. Many of the movements are similar to our open hand techniques.

But at the core of it I like weapons training on a personal level.... just a preference I guess. Given, I do not train with the thought of actually having to kill someone with a pair of sais, but then again I don't exactly get into many open hand scuffles either.

[UseoForce]

Traditional weapons aren't practical, unless you do carry a bo staff to work every day....

That doesn't mean weapons training is impractical. What about guns, knives, or sticks?

[patusai]

I practice weapons kata not so much because I can use it in the street but rather for the "tradition" of it.

[Sohan]

A lot of what we train in weapons affects our open hand karate as well. Many of the movements are similar to our open hand techniques.

Interesting you say this. I have always seen weapons training as an extension of the natural body, and the drills and forms to perform weapons work as being similar to open handed work. However, Toshihiro Oshiro, of Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu fame and a student of Shoshin Nagamine, has said that this is a misconception. He says empty kata was designed for just that, empty hands, and weapons footwork and stances should be different from that of empty hand fighting. He claims weapons come with "their own power" and that the weapon tells you how to move, not the other way around.

Not sure if I totally agree, but it is quite an interesting perspective, nonetheless.

With respect,

Sohan

[Shokei Marcsui]

Thank you for the replies.

however, training with the bo and sai in the yamanni-ryu style has made me question certain concepts of karate and explore the limits of my empty hand fighting and kata.

How do they question your concepts of karate?

A lot of what we train in weapons affects our open hand karate as well. Many of the movements are similar to our open hand techniques.

How does holding a sai, tonfa, bo increase my punching power? My kicking power? Mechanics of throwing a proper sidekick, roundhouse kick, punch etc etc should be practised as such not the other way around. I can see how some of the motions could "mimic" a punch or kick but the actual performance is quite different.

[lordtariel]

I might not have a katana in my hands but I might find a stick or piece of pipe laying around. Also, using weapons enhances control and discipline. It provides a new point of interest the art keeping enthusiasm up so I remain interested in continuing in my training. Lastly, I do it because I enjoy it. I don't train with the weapons because I expect to have them on hand in a self defense situation(unless someone breaks into my house. Then I'll always be within 5 feet of a weapon ), I train beacuse I've always liked them and wanted to see what it was like to use them.

[niel0092]

The stick training in Kali lends itself nicely to empty hand training. Anything we do with a stick has an empty hand application and we spend a great deal of time doing both armed and unarmed work. I've also found that using sticks helps a great deal in learning body mechanics.

[Anbu Alex]

i train in weapons cause it helps with empty hand form and movements but also u should learn to see wat u can use as a weapon around you