Syllabus

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:

KihonKataKumite
4th Kyu
Bo5 KamaeShuji No Kon Sho10 (Ju) Kumite
5 Uke
5 Seme
3rd Kyu
as above plus
BoShuji No Kon Dai15 (Ju-Go) Kumite
SaiTsukai KataTsukenshitahaku No Sai9 (Kyu) Kumite
2nd Kyu
as above plus
BoSakugawa No Kon Sho
Sai
TonfaTsukai KataHamahiga No Tonfa10 (Ju) Kumite
1st Kyu
as above plus
BoSakugawa No Kon Dai
SaiRenzoku Kumite
Tonfa
NunchakuTsuaki KataNunchaku No Sho12 (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:

WeaponKata 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
SaiTsukenshitahaku
Hamahiga
Yaka
Hantaguwa~
Kojo
Tawata
Chatanyara
Manji
TonfaHamahigaYaraguwa
NunchakuNunchaku ShoNunchaku DaiSan Bon Nunchaku
KamaTozanKanigawa ShoKanigawa Dai
TekkoMaezato
Tinbe-RochinKanigawa
SurujinNagai Kusari
Tokubetsu-BoKyu Shaku BoSan Shaku Bo