Brief introduktion about History of Ryukyu Kobujutsu and our Society
The ancient martial art of Ryukyu Island consists
of "Toshu-jutsu" that is the way of Empty hand, and "Emonojutsu"
that is the way of Weapon technique. At present, the former is
generally called as Karate and the latter as Ryukyu Kobujutsu.
The ryukyu Kobujutsu uses eight kinds of weapons that are Bo,
Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Kama, Tekko, Timbe and Rochin and surujin.
Each weapon deeply involves its characteristic technique and the
elements of Ryukyu martial arts deeply. Most Kata of the weapons
remaining now are footprints og old masters living from
approximately 200 to several years ago.
The Ryukyu Kobujutsu appeared in history approximately 700 years ago. It is said that it was the use of weapons in the periods of heroes holding grand.
With prosperity of Kobujutsu, many great teachers as Soeishi, Sakugawa, Chatanyara appeared in the 17, 18 and 19 centuries.Through transition of times, however, because of lack of instructors and people to carry on the tradition,Ryukyu Kobujutsu have been decayed and at one time faced the crisis of being almost totally forgotten.In teh taisho era (around the beginning fo 20th century) , some masters who had deeply concerned about the situation made great efforts to restore and promote Ryukyu Kobujutsu. Subsequestly, the late master Shinken taira, who was disciple of master Moden Yabiko sensei, had comprehensively compiled 42 weapon kata which consists of eight kinds of weapons. All these Kata had been taught to late master Gansho Inoue who was the highest direct disciple of master Taira.
Our society is preserving and promoting the all 42 weapon kata and the way of using, basic kumite and explanation Kumite of each of the weapons that were made by master Gansho Inoue by the order of master Taira.
Especially, 22 of 42 weapon kara are Bo(staff).. It has been the most well-studied weapon and the best of weapons. we usually call the name of Bo kata as "_ no kon".Our Society belongs to "Nihon Kobudo Shinko Kai" and "Nihon Kobudo Kyokai" in Japan. Both parties are the largest legitimate nation organizations for the preservation and promotion of Japanese traditional martial arts. Through various opportunities, we are introducing the correct traditional Ryukyu Kobujutsu on domestic and overseas stages as well as our Society´s own events. At present, Kisho Inoue is Souke and President. Souhonbu (General heasquarters) located at Tokyo. Centering around general headquarters, Our Society has the branches like "SHIMIZU", "FUJUNOMIYA", "MEIJI", "UNIVERSITY SHIUNJUKU KOBUDO CLUB", "WAKAYAMA", "FUJUSAWA", "KODAIRA" etc. in Japan and "SOUTH AFRICA", "FINLAND", "HOLLAND", "ENGLAND", "CANADA", "SWEDEN", "SRILANKA", "DENMARK" etc. in overseas.
The ultimate objective of practicing Bujutsu is to achieve a pure self control. We will, in due course, find the principle and the art of life through the continued training, and with the self-confidence and conviction cultivated by training, we should contribute in enhancement of politeness and faith in human society.
hIn the aspect of art, we shall learn and grasp the soul of Kobujutsu with such a sense of undivided skill andprinciple, harmony of reality and theory, no prejudice and no exclusion. It is important to make efforts to seek the true way of Bujutsu for mind, body and art. Only way to acquire the skill and to achieve the goal is to continue hard training and practice. The Kobujutsu has been handed down to us from the pioneers and the late masters as a legacy of the Japanese race. It is our responsibility to convey teh great Kobujutsu to coming ages, and it is also our desire to contribute to a promotion of Kobujutsu world. It is difficult to realize the true meanings of Ryukyu bujutsu, if the study is one-sided to either Karate or Ryukyu Kobujutsu. we shall always keep in our mind that both are inseparable relation like vehicle wheels.To achieve this ideal objective, Yuishin kai, founded by Gansho Inoue in 1948, preserves and promotes karate knowledge including total 80 traditional karate kata. Curriculums also includes bunkai kumite and taijutsu to study principles of how to use the body for "SABAKI", "BREAKING THE BALANCE", "LOCKING"etc. These knowledge has beeninherited to Kisho Inoue as well as weapon knowledge.