As far as eku being able to cut despite it being a club there is definantly some wiggle room when it comes to a cutting bludgeoning and stabbing weapons it sometimes simply a matter of how much force you can generate and what kind protective armor someone is wearing.In polynesia a tapered edge club like that would definantly be seen as a cutting weopon or as being the equivalant of a sword because of the lack of armor there was in polynesia.
I fell in love with this weapon 4 years ago while attending Karl Hovey's summer camp in Virginia. While I was familar with it, it is not part of the kubudo of my discipline (Isshin-Ryu). I have since acquired one from Scott Cruz sensei out of Michigan and it is top quality. I know Tokushin no Eku kata but that is about it. I've trained once with Carbone sensei (also out of Michigan) and hope to learn more about this weapon. Unfortunately, there is not many dojos available within reasonable driving distance here in Northeastern Pennsylvania to support continued education.
Don't get me wrong, live training with a qualified teacher is huge BUT I feel that, like the nunchaku, this is a weapon where a form (forms in the case of the eku) were preserved but not a ton more. So if you're more interested in training with it in a practical way than anything else, look at glaive techniques, etc.- it's basically a wooden halberd/glaive.
Practice your bo kata with the eku. Many of the same blocks and strikes work, and as you learn the parts of the eku, you'll learn where to make changes to capitalize on the eku's unique qualities.
The triangular shape of the one side has more to do with hydrodynamics and structural physics than weaponry. Without the extra mass in the middle, the paddle area would be liable to twist and warp when rowing. It definitely happens when using a purely flat paddle of similar dimensions. The shape makes it more effective at pushing water and creating eddies that work in your favor.
I actually meant to mention that... 'normal' oars in Okinawa have that shape so I knew it was about pushing through water. But I only described it from a martial perspective.
A Maori taiha is pretty much a more artistic version of one of these, and then look at other Polynesian paddle weapons.....I'm a big believer that there was allot more interaction between sea fearing peoples like the Japanese, Hawaiians and Polynesians than we really understand, or that happened before recorded history. It's really not a stretch to think some Japanese sailors got blown out to sea in a storm and a few weeks or months later they wash up on a Polynesian island where they eventually become part of the tribe that was already on that island causing a mixing of cultures and ways of doing things until it becomes a new different culture from the two that originally met
@@kiwiprouddavids724 Did not know that! Also, very true on the similarities and possibilities of cross-cultural influence. I've shown some antique versions of those on the channel as well. Would love to get some training on them one day. Solomon Islands also had a club that was almost a dead ringer for the Maori tool... far less decorative but more similar in shape and dimensions than the eku. I saw one in person and will put a video out on it at some point.
Sorry I never saw this. My Sensei studied with a wide variety of kobudo teachers, including with teachers from the Matayoshi lineage. But we don’t subscribe to one style, use a variety of katas and techniques from different schools. Our karate style is Shoreikan Goju-Ryu.
I only knew that he used one, or an altered version, in the famous duel on the beach. Did he actually prefer them? I thought he fought a lot of duels with the katana.
He did use katana but his writings and history show he prefered to use wooden "swords" as they could be a lot longer and less "rigid" in use than a steel blade. Many traditional pics of him show him using two Jo staffs or Bokken:he basically invented a two sword style but it is also possible that in Western terms he won many duels by cheating.He faced a man expecting the usual formal samurai sword duel and then used two longer lighter weapons to kill them in a more escrima/kali style.His actions did lead some later samurai/ronin to start carrying two katanas instead of the traditional set but historically he was known for his use of wooden oars and swords.
I did stress the Western dueling tradition where duelists use the same weapon(usually).A high class samurai would likely be surprised when he turned up for a normal "Kill on the draw" sword duel to find an opponent with two five foot long wooden swords already swinging at his head.Cheat may not be the correct term but I couldn't think of another word that covered it in English.I don't think we have any real disagreement her.
The greatest weapons are non-weapons in that they 1.) are legal for anybody and 2.) have the advantage of not looking immediately threatening.
I love learning about the kobudo weapons, their history and use, etc. Good stuff.
Great because that's actually my background.
This is a preaty good video .That would definantly be one powerful club.The Okinawans definantly had there own cultural identity.
As far as eku being able to cut despite it being a club there is definantly some wiggle room when it comes to a cutting bludgeoning and stabbing weapons it sometimes simply a matter of how much force you can generate and what kind protective armor someone is wearing.In polynesia a tapered edge club like that would definantly be seen as a cutting weopon or as being the equivalant of a sword because of the lack of armor there was in polynesia.
but can it end foes rightly
Paul Lytle Threaded pommels are a marketing gimmick, anyone can carry a pocket full of stones if rightly endings are their business.
I fell in love with this weapon 4 years ago while attending Karl Hovey's summer camp in Virginia. While I was familar with it, it is not part of the kubudo of my discipline (Isshin-Ryu). I have since acquired one from Scott Cruz sensei out of Michigan and it is top quality. I know Tokushin no Eku kata but that is about it. I've trained once with Carbone sensei (also out of Michigan) and hope to learn more about this weapon. Unfortunately, there is not many dojos available within reasonable driving distance here in Northeastern Pennsylvania to support continued education.
Don't get me wrong, live training with a qualified teacher is huge BUT I feel that, like the nunchaku, this is a weapon where a form (forms in the case of the eku) were preserved but not a ton more. So if you're more interested in training with it in a practical way than anything else, look at glaive techniques, etc.- it's basically a wooden halberd/glaive.
Practice your bo kata with the eku. Many of the same blocks and strikes work, and as you learn the parts of the eku, you'll learn where to make changes to capitalize on the eku's unique qualities.
@@toddirvine5672 definitely1
Great insight into a weapon that I personally love. I just wish you would go more in depth with the staff end of this beautiful baby.
Thanks Caleb, I'll have to follow it up at some point and show more of that.
awesome video as always
The triangular shape of the one side has more to do with hydrodynamics and structural physics than weaponry.
Without the extra mass in the middle, the paddle area would be liable to twist and warp when rowing. It definitely happens when using a purely flat paddle of similar dimensions.
The shape makes it more effective at pushing water and creating eddies that work in your favor.
I actually meant to mention that... 'normal' oars in Okinawa have that shape so I knew it was about pushing through water. But I only described it from a martial perspective.
A Maori taiha is pretty much a more artistic version of one of these, and then look at other Polynesian paddle weapons.....I'm a big believer that there was allot more interaction between sea fearing peoples like the Japanese, Hawaiians and Polynesians than we really understand, or that happened before recorded history.
It's really not a stretch to think some Japanese sailors got blown out to sea in a storm and a few weeks or months later they wash up on a Polynesian island where they eventually become part of the tribe that was already on that island causing a mixing of cultures and ways of doing things until it becomes a new different culture from the two that originally met
The flicking up of sand or dirt is a definite technic that's in Maori and Polynesian fighting
@@kiwiprouddavids724 Did not know that! Also, very true on the similarities and possibilities of cross-cultural influence. I've shown some antique versions of those on the channel as well. Would love to get some training on them one day. Solomon Islands also had a club that was almost a dead ringer for the Maori tool... far less decorative but more similar in shape and dimensions than the eku. I saw one in person and will put a video out on it at some point.
It amazes me that people think these would be non-lethal weapons. 100% could split a skull with one swing.
Yeah, it’s a heck of a lot of leverage that thing is going to generate because of the length, and then you hit with that thin edge.
What style of kobudo do you practice?
Sorry I never saw this. My Sensei studied with a wide variety of kobudo teachers, including with teachers from the Matayoshi lineage. But we don’t subscribe to one style, use a variety of katas and techniques from different schools. Our karate style is Shoreikan Goju-Ryu.
Here's Eku no Ho, the kata from Ryuei Ryu kobudo system: ruclips.net/video/-WL9iV-kJiQ/видео.html
Thanks!
Miyamoto Musashi prefered them to steel swords
I only knew that he used one, or an altered version, in the famous duel on the beach. Did he actually prefer them? I thought he fought a lot of duels with the katana.
He did use katana but his writings and history show he prefered to use wooden "swords" as they could be a lot longer and less "rigid" in use than a steel blade. Many traditional pics of him show him using two Jo staffs or Bokken:he basically invented a two sword style but it is also possible that in Western terms he won many duels by cheating.He faced a man expecting the usual formal samurai sword duel and then used two longer lighter weapons to kill them in a more escrima/kali style.His actions did lead some later samurai/ronin to start carrying two katanas instead of the traditional set but historically he was known for his use of wooden oars and swords.
I did stress the Western dueling tradition where duelists use the same weapon(usually).A high class samurai would likely be surprised when he turned up for a normal "Kill on the draw" sword duel to find an opponent with two five foot long wooden swords already swinging at his head.Cheat may not be the correct term but I couldn't think of another word that covered it in English.I don't think we have any real disagreement her.
@Alan Pelletier I have read a "The Book Of Five Rings". Your post does not conflict with mine.