weapon kata classes

Weapon kata training is for intermediate and advanced students and requires mastering of basic techniques (kihon).

Indeed, learning techniques involving four types of traditional Japanese weapons represents an additional challenge to the execution of kicks, blocks, punches and stances previously learned. It is a milestone in the progression of every karateka. Most students are looking forward to the day they can “do” weapons.

Kata
Fighting Technique
Weapon Kata
Self-Defence

WEAPON KATA – BACK TO TRADITION

At Montreal Kanreikai Karate, our students discover in turn four types of weapons. They learn to manipulate these weapons through the repetition of specific “weapon techniques” and “weapon kata”.

The origins of these weapons go back to Japanese peasant farmers from Okinawa Island who at one time were not allowed to arm themselves. Thus, they created weapons and fighting techniques using their everyday farm implements.

  • Bo: a six foot long wooden staff that was used by peasant farmers to carry water buckets, one on each end. In Bo kata, the staff is successively used to strike, block, spike and push back the (fictive) opponent.
  • Tonfa: a thick wooden stick with a small handle used by Japanese farmers as the handle on their rice flour mill. All Tonfa kata require two Tonfa, one in each hand. These kata forms are combinations of strikes to the head and temple as well as blocking and stabbing techniques.
  • Nunchaku: originally a simple tool used to harvest rice. It is made of two sticks joined by a string of leather or rope. Nowadays, the wooden Nunchaku is considered an illegal weapon in many jurisdictions. At Montreal Kanreikai. our students train with a foam or rubber Nunchaku.
  • Sai: a three-pronged knife. All Sai Kata require a pair of Sai, one in each hand, and are only performed by Black Belt karateka.