Weapons

[Snake]

I am trying to decide between several martial arts which one I want to train in. I was wondering, when you begine weapons training (which I know comes later in training) what types of weapons are used in Jujutsu?

[Mekugi]

I am trying to decide between several martial arts which one I want to train in. I was wondering, when you begine weapons training (which I know comes later in training) what types of weapons are used in Jujutsu?

Generally speaking, smaller weapons and swords are used in "jujutsu". This is case by case, however. You may want a Sogo-bujutsu- a school with different parts to it- one being taijutsu (jujutsu). You'll be hard finding something like this in the occident that is not modern.

[Bengel]

The most commonly used weapons are the knife (tanto) and sticks of various sizes (bo, jo, hanbo). We start teaching defenses against tanto and hanbo at green belt level but that's no world wide rule, of course. It can be different for other styles/schools/teachers.

Defenses against chain, sword and gun (the latter only at close range of course) is usually reserved for more advanced students.

Of course, you'll usually begin with safer versions of the weapons (rubber or wooden knives, padded sticks, a belt instead of a chain, a wooden sword and wooden gun).

Although not every style will allow it, some styles get a bit riskier as you progress in the belt level: e.g. real knives, wooden sticks, a real chain, a real sword. I doubt anyone would train with a real loaded gun unless they are suicidal but a paint-ball or similar version would do the trick.

[Tony Dismukes]

There is a significant difference between the different styles of jujutsu. Some don't address weapons at all, some only address unarmed defences against weapons, and some actually teach usage of weapons (often starting at the higher belt ranks). If you have a particular school in mind, you'd be best off talking to the instructor about what the curriculum for that school includes.

[Snake]

Thanks for all the input. Your information is really helping me out. I deffinately want to train with various weapons, so I'll start asking the schools i'm looking at. It may be necessary for me to choose a different martial art than the ones i had first begun considering.

[Tony Dismukes]

If your primary interest is in weapons usage, you may want to check out the Filipino martial arts (kali, arnis, etc). They usually start with the weapons first, then develop the empty-hands work as a follow-on.

[Bengel]

Or kobudo which is weapons only, if I'm not mistaken.

[TonyU]

Or kobudo which is weapons only, if I'm not mistaken.
The study of Okinawan weapons.

Very hard to find one exclusively kobudo in the US. You're best bet than is to study an Okinawan art.

Another option, my sensei used to do, is if you're interested in kobudo but train in another style is take private lessons or just go the weapons classes only.

[Mekugi]

OK hold on a moment.
Kobudo only means "old budo" and doesn't specifically mean Okinawan weaponry. Kobudo is just a shortening of the term "Koryu Budo;" which could also be called "Koryu Bujutsu." Because the distinction between Budo and Bujutsu is not that clear or well defined here, you will hear both and sometimes used interchangeably. While Okinawan/Ryukyu budo call their weaponry Kobudo it doesn't just imply Okinawa or Ryukyu (yadda-yadda.)

I agree with Tony on the Philippine weaponry, they will be more accessible to you in the USA.

[TonyU]

OK hold on a moment.
Kobudo only means "old budo" and doesn't specifically mean Okinawan weaponry. Okinawan/Ryukyu budo seem to call their weaponry Kobudo though, so it is common to hear it in relationship in the USA and overseas (and hence the "confusion.") Kobudo, incidentally, is just a shortening of the term "Koryu Budo;" which could also be called "Koryu Bujutsu." Because the distinction between Budo and Bujutsu is not that clear or well defined here, you will hear both, sometimes used interchangeably.

I agree with Tony on the Philippine weaponry, they will be more accessible to you in the USA.
Thanks for the clarification Russ.