Within the arts of the late Soke Kuniba Shogo we also use the Kobudosystem to accomplish a wheel that completes the heritage.Kobudo and Karatedo fits together like a hand in a glove.
Ryukyu kobudo is one of the schools of ancient Okinawan martial arts that uses the wooden staff, iron truncheon, two- sectional staff, shield and machete, twin sickles and many other items. The masters of each of these weapons developed katas or forms, in order to remember the defensive and offensive principles of each weapon. The kata is the chief mechanism through which the secrets of kobudo were preserved. (McCarthy, 1999:8) It is important to learn not only the kata but to understand the difference between each of the offensive and defensive techniques. In the past kobudo did not have its own dojos. Each would-be student sought out a master although the masters would only chose the most promising and enthusiastic students.
Kobudo could be seen as an extension of your body to be able to defeat enemies in a longer distance to you. The Kobudo practice strenghten the body so that you could use same kind of bodymovements as in karate-do.
The art of weaponry should also be seen in a historical point of view where you used those in war in for example Okinawa and also of course as an art, for perfection and body control. In Ryukyu Kobudo there are ten weapons that are used in different schools.
Chikubukai uses Kon(Bo), Tonfa, Sai, Kama, Eku and Nunchaku (chainsticks)
In Chikubu kai we use this system to accomplish a tradition given to us by Soke Shogo Kuniba and to be as alround as budopractioners as possible.
When we test in Kobudo we use four levels before the dangrades and the testing should only take place once a year to be able to grow and mature in the art.
Sho-kyu (Yellow belt)
Basic knowledge of the Bo and the parts of it.
Ten, Moto and Chin.
Kihon Basic dachi,uke and tsuki for the Kon.
Ju Roppo no Kon.
Ten blocking and striking tecniques with your uke.
Kata
Roppo kamae no Kon (five dachi).
Roppo uke no Kon (six uke).
Roppo tsuki no Kon (seven tsuki).
All these kata are performed in different dachi and should have same feeling as karate katas. With grace and strength.
Chiu-Kyu (Green belt)
Basic knowledge of the Tonfa parts:
Tsuka(handle), Shomen(top side), Zen Atama(front end), Sokumen(bottom back).
Kihon Basic dachi, uke and tsuki for the Tonfa. Also spinning and twisting with the Tonfa.
This level also has one more Kon kata for the progression.
Kata
Goho no uke Tonfa.
Jin no Tonfa ichi and ni (same pattern as Jin no kata).
Kihon Basic dachi,uke and tsuki for the Sai. Also flipping and twisting with the Sai.
Kata
Jin no sai ichi and ni (same pattern as Jin no kata).
Kuniba no Tonfa (named by Hamahiga no Tonfa but not same as the traditional version)
Shushi no Kon sho
Kumitachi
Go kumite with Kon.
Shodan-Ho
(Shodan preparation grade and black belt with Hakama)
Kihon
The student will show kihon from the Kon, Tonfa and the Sai. The kihon will be checked from earlier test aquirements.
A short text of the history of Ryukyu Kobudo of Shogo Kuniba and his Kobudo lineage will be written by the student and handed to the examinator before the test. This text could be taken from the article of Hanshi James Herndon or elsewere. Shinken Taira must also be mentioned in this text.
Kata
Sakugawa no Kon sho
Ryoto no Sai
Kumitachi
Ju-kumite with Kon.
Shodan (1st dan)
Kihon
Good sense and body control with Kon,Tonfa and Sai.
Rubber Bokken tecniques.
Kata
Ryubi no Kon
Sunakake no Kon
Kumitachi
5 jiu kumite with the rubber Bokken.
Nidan (2nd dan)
Kihon
Another weapon like Kama or Eku practiced kihon.
Kata
Kama no ichi/ni
Kumitachi
Kama vs Bo
Tonfa/Kon kumite five steps.
Sandan (3rd dan)
Kihon
Nunchaku basic kihon
Kata
Tokumine no kon
Gekisai no Tonfa
Kumitachi
Tonfa vs Bo 5 kumite
Jiyu kumite 3 rounds with rubber Bokken.
Yondan-Godan
(Further dan levels will be promoted by Soke Price or the Danboard of Chikubukai International).