Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo - Weapons Curriculum

Hi!

Ms. Rush-James teaches weapons at several martial arts schools (primarily TKD) in the Phoenix area. Students who participate in the weapons program, which is outside a school's normal curriculum, learn forms that are part of the Okinawan Kenpo Karate-Kobudo (weapons) system. Rank in the weapons system is indicated by chevrons on the student's pant leg rather than belts. This is to avoid confusion with the school's primary curriculum. Here's what students learn for each belt level:

White:

Four Escrima Patterns (h/l, h/l/h, h/l/around/h, h/l/h/floor/l)

Shihonuke Bo Kata (Four Corners)

Yellow:

Shima Igiri Bo Ichi Kata

Gold:

Freestyle Bo Kata I

Orange:

Chounokun Bo Kata

Six-Count Escrima Pattern (stationary, rotating, up/down, optional roll)

Green:

Chotoku Kyan no Sai Kata

Purple/Blue:

Matayoshi no Sai Kata

Blue/Purple:

Odo Matayoshi no Sai Kata

Red:

Tokumine Bo Kata I

Six-Count Escrima Pattern (with roll)

Brown:

Tokumine Bo Kata II

Black:

Tonfa Kata I

Freestyle Bo Kata II

Note that blue and purple may be swapped depending on the school's belt order. It does not affect the order in which the material is learned. Also, please understand that the videos are meant to show an example of the form, not provide a definitive version or instruction. Our goal is to post videos of all of the kata, but even they won't be a substitute for direct instruction from a qualified black belt. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in a comment.

Thanks,
Matt