The Bo

The earliest form of the bo or staff, has been used throughout Asia since the beginning of recorded history. Although the bo is now used as a martial weapon, its use is believed by some to have evolved from the long stick which was used by commoners to balance buckets or baskets across the middle of the back at the shoulders to carry harvested crops or buckets of water or fish. This tool would eventually become the martial weapon we know today.

Following a ban on the use of weapons in Okinawa where it was now illegal to own a sword, the people turned to their simple farming tools as new methods of defense.  These implements could not be easily confiscated by the samurai or local authorities as they were used for farming or fishing. This use of these weapons developed into kobudo or "ancient martial way" as it is known today. These weapons included the Nunchaku, Sai, Tonfa, Kama, Oar and Bo just to name a few.  The Bo was therefore a very common tool used in self-defense by both monks and commoners alike.

The art of wielding the bo is called bojitsu. In bojitsu the bo is used in thrusting, swinging, and striking motions that resemble empty-hand movements. This follows the philosophy that the bo is merely an "extension of one’s limbs or hand". The bo is also used as a spear and long sword in some of its motions, such as upward swings and slashing motions across the body.   Bo technique also include a wide variety of blocks, strikes, sweeps, and entrapments.

Consequently, bojitsu is often incorporated into other styles of empty hand fighting, such as Karate and Pilipino Martial Arts where it is widely used.  The staff is – if you were wondering – a very dangerous and potentially lethal weapon, especially if you are wielding a harder and heavier iteration such as one studded with iron, which can deal serious damage to your opponent.

Nowadays our students use the bo for both tournaments and demonstrations, using flashy light variations designed for speed and not combat, as well the hardwood and rattan versions designed for use in self defense practice at the practical level.