Neil Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 On all the websites I have been on they all said that the Okinawan Bo is tapered. But there is one problem I find with this. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the Bo first used to carry buckets of water on both ends? If so a tapered bo would prove more difficult than a straight one. So maybe it was originally straight and then it became tapered? Funny thing is my teacher said that the Okinawans prefer the practitioner to use a straight Bo! A little confused I think, anyone here to help this little problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickman Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 neil...your teacher is right. My teacher is Okinawan and he makes bos...they are all straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omnifinite Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Straight bos are heavier... wonder if that's why people started tapering them. The might have also wanted all that power focused on a smaller striking surface. I don't know. I'm sure someone here has the answer. 1st Dan HapkidoColored belts in Kempo and Jujitsu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronryu Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 I have always used a straight bo and from everything I have read the traditional bo was straight for instane the wrist flip (cutting)motion found in alot of the kata seems to work best with a straight bo . I believe the tapered bo is a more resent inovation to make the bo lighter for tourniment's . but this is just my humble opinion Karate is not a sport , it is a way of life .Sandan Motobu ha Shi-to ryu karate Katsu ryu kempo Ryukyu kobudo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted January 17, 2003 Author Share Posted January 17, 2003 So how can all these people on the websites all share the same false information. Or perhaps some okinawan people made bos tapered for fighting of enemys but the original bo being straight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaiFightsMS Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Bo's are made of various materials (types of wood) and specifications. Each area of Okinawa probably had its own favorite. Bo's are straight, tapered and also come in polyhedral shapes of 4 to 8 sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eye of the Tiger Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 I bought my Bo today. Its straight, white Oak, and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Its huge and very strong and heavy. The tapered fells like nothing after 5 minutes of practice with the straight one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobias_Reece Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 Tapered = Elephant with stilet.......stilleto.......stell........high heels "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okinawannabe Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 New to the forum, I am....so hello to everyone! Also, I have studied Okinawan Ko-Nan-Ryu Kobudo for a couple of years, and I have the answer to the question about why some bo's are tapered. Actually, although the tapered is a great deal lighter (and also more expensive - why, since you buy less wood?), that is not the primary reason for tapering the rokushakubo. As you practitioners probably know, the traditional hand position on the bo divides it into even thirds. However, there are some hojoundo which require a naginata-style grip - meaning you hold the bo more like a baseball bat than otherwise. It is crucial when you are in the middle of a difficult section of a kata that you know where your hands are at on the bo. With a straight bo, this can be difficult. However, with practice, the tapered bo allows your hands to determine where they lie on the bo. I have just recently begun to work with a tapered bo, and already I am developing that instinct. My style's grandmaster, Kinjo Takashi actually prefers us to utilize tapered bo's, for that reason. So now you know the rest of the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobias_Reece Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 My style's grandmaster, Kinjo Takashi actually prefers us to utilize tapered bo's, for that reason same here "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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