hojo undo

[onnie]

Does anyone know where to get hojo undo equipment here in the states?

[shoshinkan]

from the UK you cannot beat

www.makiwarapost.com

if it works out to expensive with shipping ask Jon nicely im sure he will give you advice on building your own kit or put you in contact with a us supplier.

Good luck with your hojo undo training its a superb aspect of training often neglected

[jabonn]

A classmate and I built the makiwara we currently use at our dojo. It took a couple of weeks to get the resistance where we wanted it for conditioning. I picked up some jars (Kami) at Garden Ridge Pottery (people in the South will know). I puchased several of the same size then filled each set with various amounts of sand and rock. To condition the finger tips we used a 15 inch by 15 inch canvas bag that had shot sewn inside. Use this much like a Yari Bako or other container that has sand, pebbles, rocks or other inside to strike with the fingers. We placed an old canvas hanging bag on the ground against the wall. We use this to condition the toes by kicking different points on the bag. The end of the bag is more dense than the top of the bag and offers a greater degree of resistance.

In Uechi-ryu we do not use the weights (chishi) like Goju-ryu or some of the other Okiniwan styles. I would venture to say a google search would yield vendors or plans to create your own.

You can also search BudoSeek for Jeff Burger's Junkyard Workout. He has some great ideas on homemade training equipment. If you goal is conditioning or training then it doesn't really matter what it looks like if it meets the end result. Our stuff at the dojo wasn't overly pretty but it accomplished what we intended - train better karate-ka.

Good luck.

[TonyU]

It's good to see that there is still an interest in hojo undo.

Keep in mind that hojo undo can be done with modern equipment. The equipment used by the Okinawans at the turn of the century was what was available to them at that time.

As an example, I use dumbbells for arm strenght in punching. I also use them, at higher weights, to work my stances or legs.

Look at what particualr area you want to strenghten and figure out what's the best exercises are.

Can't beat good ole makiwara training though.

[Gene Williams]

I agree with Tony. Makiwara training (and heavy bag) is essential. Also, lots of cardio...and kata...that's katakatakatakatakatakatakatakata :)

[onnie]

The Makiwara I have and use. I use different size dumbbells also. I will pinch one between my thumb and finger doing kata slow. Use heavy ones in place of nigiri-game. I am looking more for the traditional look and feel. I will look into all of this info, thanks.
Brandon

[uechidrew]

I believe you can order Hojo undo equipment from Shuriedo-usa.
The link is http://www.shureidousa.com/training/training.html

[onnie]

And Tony, you are right. The Makiwara is over looked. I do not know why this is. As one starts to learn the history of karate systems. All of the Masters or Soke used it. Their reasons where not always the same, but they struck non-the-less. I could go on about this. I have a lot of questions as to how others train on one. New thread?

[Budoka34]

I have equipment made by Bushi Fitness (Kevin Robert Kiyoshi).
Excellent equipment and fair prices.

Hope this helps.

http://www.bushifitness.com/equipment.htm

[onnie]

I talked to Kevin last week. He has stopped making the equipment for the time and has not updated his page.

[Budoka34]

Brandon,

Sorry about that. I knew he had had some trouble, but thought he may have fixed it.

One peice of equipment that has done me well is a pivy (log mover) handel.
They look like a baseball bat on steriods.

You can find them at most feed and farm supply stores in various weights and lengths.

I work seven basic suburi and wrist rotations with mine. It has done wonders for my "girlish" shoulders. :D