The practice of weapons (buki-ho) is an important component of Shorinjiryu Karate.

With Shorinjiryu Karate originally hailing from Okinawa, the main weapons arts are those of Ryukyu Kobujutsu. The weapons art of Shorinjiryu are classified as being part of our tradition of Shishiryu Bojutsu.

Kaiso Kori Hisataka promoted three major weapons – the Bo (6ft. staff), the Jo (4ft. staff) and the Sai (iron truncheon). In this way, he covered short, medium and long weapons. He also taught variations including the tanbo (2ft. stick), kai (oar), yari (spear) and katana (sword), as well as adapting everyday items like the walking cane.

Some of the weapons kata practised in Shorinjiryu include the following:

• Bo Kata Gorin no Bo
• Bo Kata Shishiryu no Bo
• Bo Kata Tokumine no Bo
• Bo Kata Tenryu no Bo
• Sai Kata Naihanchin no Sai
• Sai Kata Nijushiho no Sai
• Jo Kata Ufuchiku no Jo
• Ken Kata Gokyoku no Ken

To complement the weapons kata, a variety of 2 (or sometimes more) person drills are also taught

• Gorin no Kumibo Randori (Bo vs. Bo)
• Bo Bo no Randori (Bo vs. Bo)
• Sai Bo no Randori (Sai vs. Bo)
• Tanbo no Randori (Tanbo vs. Tanbo)
• Jo Bo no Randori (Jo vs. Bo)
• Shin Ken Shira Ha Dori (Empty Hand vs. Sword)

I am also aware of there being several advanced randori involving the sword – against the bo, sai and jo. These are rarely practiced.