recommended reading on some weaponry

I'm looking into expanding on applications of some weapons I own. I have tried applying them to my Bujinkan training and meeting some results, but I'm wondering about looking into any other applications I may have missed.

1. Sai
2. Tonfa
3. Knife (single edge)
4. Nunchaku
5. Kusarigama (and any other weaponry)

I get that some of these are in kobudo, so are there any must have reads on the subject?

 

Erm weapon applications = threaten, stab, rake, gouge, cut, chop, hit, crush, wrap?

I'm not sure why you would need to read about this, look at the movements you do in training, and imagine holding one of those tools while you do it and then imagine what happens or try it out yourself!

You could also do it the other way around: look at the attributes of the tool (i.e. small knife = concealable, sharp edge, point, rigid flat of blade, solid handle and non pointy end; tonfa = reach, rigidity, impact, leverage, perpendicular handle as well as ability to hold it like a stick) and think about how the primary and secondary applications yourself (i.e. how to use it in a combative scenario)

There must be books out there, but I don't know what they would tell you that you can't work out for yourself, or get from your training...

 

I've trained bujinkan for a couple of years, not used a lot of them within class. If you read my original post, I do state I've been trying to apply them to my own art, but I figured 'why not further my reading, see if there's applications I might not know of?'

 

Sai, tonfa and nunchaku as part of your Bujinkan training?

 

Just own some of them, been trying to apply them with some success (by success I mean NOT hitting myself) but I was thinking something kobudo in nature. friend did lend me a book on Sai: this one

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sai-Karate-Weapon-Self-Defense-Literary/dp/0897500105"]Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense Literary Links to the Orient: Amazon.co.uk: Fumio Demura: Books[/ame]

I found some of it interesting, but wondered about other styles and their applications

 

Are they in your Booj curriculum?

 

nope, but since I own them... well, you've read the earlier messages

 

Then how can you add them to an established martial curriculum? If you are just trying to learn them in conjunction, well, I have a very definitive opinion about learning from books.

 

One of the things I've found in my time with my own sensei and training elsewhere is the attitude in the bujinkan that any weapon of any style should still be learnt. You never know what you might have on hand in a give situation.

If you don't support the idea that I might find something I didnt consider from another source for applications that may work in my own style however, that's down to you

 

Knock yourself out.

 

Is that advice or a prediction? :evil:

 

I've got zero problem with you learning those weapons alongside your Bujinkan training. Learning from a book isn't proper learning, that said. And I'm not sure I grok your logic. "Learn every weapon because you never know what you're have on hand." On the surface, that makes sense. But in reality, whatever you find at hand is really, really unlikely to resemble sai or kusari gama in form or application. If that genuinely is the rationale for learning weapons, I'd say "get ye to a decent FMA school." Sticks and knives are much more likely to correlate to weapons of opportunity.

I think what it comes down to is this: If you want to learn a classical weapon for the sake of that weapon, then find a proper teacher. If you want to learn a weapon for practical considerations, then work out what practical weaponry might look like. Then find a teacher.

I imagine the vast majority of us have "played" with nunchaku, sai, tonfa, etc. over the years. And I don't begrudge anyone else from doing so. But I do believe that the standard needs to be a lot higher for anyone claiming to have learned those weapons. And certainly for anyone ostensibly preparing to apply them.

 

Yup, proper learning > playing at being awesome.

 

nobody said anything about 'playing at being awesome.' However I get the feeling from your posts you have nothing positive to contribute to this discussion. Anything you recommend style/teacher wise? I'm aware karate schools sometimes incorporate kobudo but nothing I have found locally turns up if we really want a serious discussion.

I myself wondered if the police application of the side handled baton would be taught to be used in a similar way?

 

Both could happen

 

I think you need to be mindful of the difference between "positive" and "useful." Scott's take on this stuff is a good deal more... conservative than my own. But he's a recognized authority on precisely the material you're describing. So take heed, even if you don't like the answer. You may be looking for affirmation. But don't discount the value of being challenged on that point.

 

I heartily recommend Julian Mead's boys and girls and snigger profusely at attempting to apply one art's principles into another weapon art.

There, I contributed something positive. Enjoy.

 

It's less that, more the vague, wishy-washy and 'knock yourself out' comments as opposed to giving anything that could be 'useful' or 'positive.' A response that would be useful would be stating an opinion and reasoning as opposed to one sentence posts.

I appreciate an opinion, when it's given and explained

 

Thanks, those seminar dates are within the realms of reasonable to get to. I'll check them out