Eighteen Weapons

A big part of study is devoted to mastering eighteen traditional weapons. Hatsumi Sensei desires all students to be skilled with the sword by the time they reach Shodan (1st. Degree black belt). I require a strong working knowledge of eighteen weapons before awarding Shodan. I leave it up to the student to choose which ones to master. Through the many years of training, learning and teaching I've observed that each weapon speaks to the student in a special way. These ancient tools reflect a part of each person's psyche and personality. There are a great deal more weapons taught at our dojo than are listed here.

I have been reading many very negative posts on various forums that claim there is no possible way for anyone to master so many weapons and refer to this page specifically. Please understand that you most likely have mastered the art of using a spoon, knife and fork. This means you use these tools without thinking. You also most likely drive a car. This is a very dangerous endeavor, but you also likely give it little thought. You drive at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour, inside a vehicle made of steel, glass and plastic. One mistake and you could kill yourself, and other people as well. The true art is about being the master of the sword, not about being a Sword Master.

Fundo (weighted chains)

Kusari Fundo
Manrikikusari
Konpei

Blades

Katana (foot sword)
Shoto / Kodachi (short sword)
Wakizashi (companion sword)
Ninja To (Ken)
Tanto (knives)

Stick Weapons
Bo (quarterstave)
Hanbo (half staff)
Yawara (hand stick)
Kobo (short stick)
Tenouchi (specialized stick)

Ninki (specialized ninja weapons)
Shuko (hand claws)
Tekagi / Ashiko (feet claws)
Igadama (spiked iron balls)

Kunai (digging tool)
Tekkan (long claws)
Kitate (candle holder)

Anti-Sword Truncheons
Jutte (traditional police weapon)
Jitte (killing tool)
Kabutowari (helmet breaker)
Tesubo (iron rod)
Tessan / Uchiwa (iron war fan)

Composite Weapons
Shinbo / Shobo (hand spikes with ring)
Kusarigama (chain and sickle)
Kyoketsu Shoge (hooked knife with cord and iron ring)

Projectile Weapons
Yin and Ta (bow and arrow)
Fukiya (blowguns)

Hoko (pole arms)
Naginata (bladed staff)
Bisento (heavy bladed sword with long handle)
Yari (spear)
Ono (battle axe)