How important is it that you get your sticks from Okinawa? It's totally up to you but, I really don't think there's a difference. Maybe I'm missing something?
It is probably not that inportant to most practitioners that the bo comes from Okinawa but if you ever plan to comepete in a World Okinawa Tournament it is highly recomended.At the 2001 tournament in Atlanta the Rengokai supplied the bo for competition.There is a weight requirement,I believe it is 900 grams for the bo.They weighed them and certified them before competition. Tom Hodges
It's more of an esoterical reason. Okinawan karate, Okinawan bo,..........at any rate it's not mandatory. I have looked at Crane Mountain's bo's and they look well made. Shuredo's are probably good to. Steve
Mark makes them all himself and does basically anything you want. You can send him your exact measurements/taper, etc and he'll make it to order. I have two Lignum Bo's he made me and a Vera Wood bo that are awesome and modeled after my Oyata bo (exact measurements). He is currently working on a Kauri bo for me and I'm salivating just talking about it.