The progress of all practitioners is based upon both the effort of the teacher and that of the student. The classes are taught in conjunction with the grading syllabus with a structured approach both in repetition and development. It is essential to inspire both in repetition and the learning of new techniques and kata with the emphasis always on quality and understanding rather than quantity and entertainment. Students are encouraged to continuously focus on the empty hand interpretation and the effect of distance using weapons. This bridge must be crossed if the study of Ryukyu Kobujutsu is to enhance your martial arts.
The RyuKyu Grading Requirements are as follows:
Kihon | Kata | Kumite | |
4th Kyu | |||
Bo | 5 Kamae | Shuji No Kon Sho | 10 (Ju) Kumite |
5 Uke | |||
5 Seme | |||
3rd Kyu as above plus | |||
Bo | Shuji No Kon Dai | 15 (Ju-Go) Kumite | |
Sai | Tsukai Kata | Tsukenshitahaku No Sai | 9 (Kyu) Kumite |
2nd Kyu as above plus | |||
Bo | Sakugawa No Kon Sho | ||
Sai | |||
Tonfa | Tsukai Kata | Hamahiga No Tonfa | 10 (Ju) Kumite |
1st Kyu as above plus | |||
Bo | Sakugawa No Kon Dai | ||
Sai | Renzoku Kumite | ||
Tonfa | |||
Nunchaku | Tsuaki Kata | Nunchaku No Sho | 12 (Ju-Ni) Kumite |
The grading syllabus gradually adds more kata depth along with the introduction of new weapons. The emphasis is on development of short and long distance weapons with the understanding of the tokui (special) point for each weapon in relation to empty hand, i.e. Sai is the practise shuto, Tonfa is the practise of Uraken, Hiji-ate and Kama is the practise of Kurite and Kakete. The complete kata syllabus in the practise of Ryukyu Kobujutsu is listed as follows:
Weapon | Kata Names | ||
Bo (Kon) | Shuji No Kon Sho Shuji No Kon Dai Koshiki No Shuji Sakugawa No Kon Sho Sakugawa No Kon Dai Sakugawa No Kon Chu | Soeshi No Kon Sho Soeshi No Kon Dai Shirotaru No Kon Sho Shirotaru No Kon Dai Sueyoshi No Kon Sesoko No Kon | Yonekawa No Kon Kongo No Kon Tsukenbo Chinenshichanaka Chatanyara Choun Urasue Tsukensunakake |
Sai | Tsukenshitahaku Hamahiga Yaka | Hantaguwa~ Kojo Tawata | Chatanyara Manji |
Tonfa | Hamahiga | Yaraguwa | |
Nunchaku | Nunchaku Sho | Nunchaku Dai | San Bon Nunchaku |
Kama | Tozan | Kanigawa Sho | Kanigawa Dai |
Tekko | Maezato | ||
Tinbe-Rochin | Kanigawa | ||
Surujin | Nagai Kusari | ||
Tokubetsu-Bo | Kyu Shaku Bo | San Shaku Bo |