Weapons Information

Hi everyone, just wondering if you could tell me what the difference is between the weapons used in some MAs like bo and jo staffs and that sort of thing. I do some MA classes but its more street defense as opposed to anything else and im thinking of taking up either Ninjutsu, TKD or a weapon art (could you name any arts that use weapons aswell if possible im a bit new to MAs) so i just wanted to know what i could expect and know which weapon sounds best for me

Many thanks in advance

A bo staff and a jo staff are practically the same except that the jo is traditionaly the length of the floor to your armpit, but is usually around 4ft 6 and the bo is 6ft.

As a general rule, a jo tecniques are executed in a simlar fashion to a sword. You hold one end and strike with the other. Bo staffs are usually held with both hands in the middle of the staff and strikin is done with either/both ends.

Tanjo is a much shorter stick around 20 inches.

In different arts the tanjo is also called an escrima stick or arnis baton.

I am pretty sure the above is accurate. Someone more experienced with weapons will correct me if I am wrong.

Welcome to the forums.
Sharon

Thanks Sharon thats a big help [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

Most of the striking work done with arnis/escrima sticks are similar to a short sword or using a bokken. There are 2 handed and single handed strike patterns and defences, plus a multitude of other techniques using single stick and hand for disarming and trapping.

Arnis sticks are generally about 20-24" long and can be either rattan or made from hardwoods like kamagong or lancewood.

I have a white oak hanbo which is slightly longer than normal arnis sticks and the techniques we use with this are similar to a jo or bokken.

The bo is used as Sharon has said normally as a 2 handed weapon although there are some techniques using only one hand. Grip on the bo can be either normal [one hand palm up and one hand palm down] or inverted with both hands facing palm down.

It's one of my favourite weapons. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Reiki:

Arnis sticks are generally about 20-24" long and can be either rattan or made from hardwoods like kamagong or lancewood.[/QUOTE]

Sticks used in FMA can range anywhere from 18" (sometimes seen in close-range styles like Cabales Serrada Escrima), all the way up to 36" (for larga mano).

cool thanks for all the info guys (and gals [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif[/IMG]) what sort of MAs use weapons like these because it would be great to learn to use a bo staff or these arnis/escrima sticks you have said about. Are arnis/escrima sticks the ones that you can use two of like one in each hand because the description you mentioned sounds familiar...

Thanks again for the advice its gr8! [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Raptor2k:
cool thanks for all the info guys (and gals [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif[/IMG]) what sort of MAs use weapons like these because it would be great to learn to use a bo staff or these arnis/escrima sticks you have said about. Are arnis/escrima sticks the ones that you can use two of like one in each hand because the description you mentioned sounds familiar...

Thanks again for the advice its gr8! [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG][/QUOTE]

In FMA, one can use one stick (solo baston), a stick and knife (yatok at daga; derived from espada y daga), or two sticks (doble baston or sinawalli).

Several Chinese Martial Arts(Read: kung fu) incorporates weapons into their practice. I know most shaolin schools will have pretty much every weapon covered. I study shaolin-do here in Ohio. We practice bo, nunchaku, sai, sword, chainwhip, rope dart, several different pole arms, and such

Sounds good [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG] problem is over here in england we dont have many MA schools i tried looking for kung fu and things like that but they are out of reach for me (cant drive yet but it wont be long) i always thought shaolin was only found in monastaries and all that i thought it was one of those things that they wouldnt let out then again that could be the stereotypes coming out again.... :P i was even thinking one day of travelling to study under a grandmaster somewhere in a foreign country but i wouldnt know where to start lol... thanks for the post anyway ill bear it in mind in the future when i get a bit more mobile [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG] on that note, thanks to everyone for helping and spending time teaching a young guy new tricks [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Raptor2k:
i always thought shaolin was only found in monastaries and all that i thought it was one of those things that they wouldnt let out then again that could be the stereotypes coming out again.... :P [/QUOTE]

Actually, most of the original Monks fled China after the boxer rebelion around 1900. Many of them ended up on the west coast of North America and in europe. There they spread their teachings. You'll never train at a real Shaolin temple. Though the Hunan temple has been recently refurbished and re-opened, however they now teach more of a Wushu/T'ai Chi Ch'uan style. The original Shaolin art is now spread around the world.

cool guess it is the stereotypes then :P. Thanks for the insight