Ryukyu-Ocho Suidi Kobujutsu Association 

	Bylaws		Title & Degree Examination Regulations

About the Ryukyu-Ocho Shurite Kobujutsu Association

The Ryukyu-Ocho Shurite Kobujutsu Association was established in 2003 to promote the study of Ryukyu Kingdom Kobujutsu and to foster communication, personal development and group partnership among members throughout the world.

The Ryukyu-Ocho Shurite Kobujutsu Association was organized to promote research and learning about traditional Okinawan kobujutsu. Along with kata, applied techniques may be studied through group partnership exercises (bunkai, oiyo bunkai and kumite.)

For more information on the Ryukyu-ocho Shurite Kobujutsu Association, refer to the By-laws and Title and Degree Examination Regulations. You can also download a copy of the Ryukyu-Ocho Shurite Kobujutsu Association Membership Form.

Origins of Ryukyu Kingdom Kobujutsu

According to the Okinawa Prefectural Government's historical research, the formal development of martial arts with weapons probably began in the 11th and 12th Centuries (3 Kingdoms period) and expanded further in 1372 when King Satto began a tributary trading relationship with Ming Dynasty China. This 500-year trading relationship introduced many styles of weapons and martial arts into Okinawa. Over time, these imported styles and weapons were adopted and blended into uniquely Okinawan marital arts.

Following the unification of the 3 kingdoms into the Shuri Dynasty in the 15th century, Okinawan martial arts with weaponry developed within the warrior class in the capitol city of Shuri and spread into various regions.

Two pivotal events had a profound influence on the development and practice of martial arts both with and without weaponry in Okinawa:

• The 'Order of the Sword Hunt' carried out by King Shoshin (1477-1526), which banned the carrying of weapons by the general public as well as the warrior class people.
• The 'Policy of Banning Weapons' which was enforced after the invasion of the Ryukyu Kingdom by the Satsuma clan in 1609.

Pechin-class officials (including groups such as the officials responsible for general law enforcement, palace security guards and royal bodyguards) were prohibited from carrying swords or spears. In their place, methods were developed for using everyday tools to assist in domestic peacekeeping and self-defense. Study of these techniques, conducted in secret, lead to the development of a unique form of Okinawan martial arts with weaponry not known by the general population until after the Ryukyu Kingdom was abolished in 1879.

In the early 1900's, systematic research on Okinawan kobujutsu (old martial arts) was undertaken by karate masters such as Moden Yabiku (1878-1941), Shinko Matayoshi (1888-1947) and Shinken Taira (1897-1970) to ensure that these traditional Okinawan weapons arts would not be lost forever.

For more information on the historical development and contemporary study of martial arts with weaponry, visit the Okinawa Prefectural Government's Web site at http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/index.html