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| Sansetsukon - an awkward kobudo weapon. |
Sansetsukon is a Chinese weapon adapted for self-defense. In Chinese, sansetsukon is known as sanjiegum (三節棍) and refers to a coiling dragon, probably because it gives the impression of a coiled dragon, and it will bite its user like a coiled dragon until the user learns to tame this beast over time. The weapon consists of three-sectional staves with a combined length of a bo. These are attached by rope, chain, horsehair or rings and originally used as a flail by Chinese farmers. In martial arts it is similar to surujin, bo and nunchaku combined. In the past, staves were manufactured from bamboo, white oak, wax wood, red maple or metal. Today, most are aluminum, bamboo, rattan, foam rubber or a variety of hardwood. Like nunchaku, it is recommended to start with a foam padded sansetsukon.
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| Defending against an overhead attack |
Some suggest the sansetsukon was introduced to Okinawa from the Chinese Fuijian province by Soke Shinko Matayoshi (1888-1947) who created two kata for the Matayoshi Shorin-Ryu Kobudo system. The two kata are referred to as sansetsukon dai ichi and sansetsukon dai ni. Soke Shinko was succeeded by his son Shimpo Matayoshi (1921-1997). Following the death of Shimpo, Matayoshi Kobudo fragmented into different groups: one led by Yasushi Matayoshi who operates the Matayoshi hombu dojo in Okinawa known as the Kodokan. Kodokan refers to a place where one can receive “Instruction in the Way”.
Tadashi Yamashita is one of the more famous students of Shimpo Matayoshi. If you are into martial arts movies, this weapon was used by Jackie Chan in the 2000 movie Shanghai Noon. It was also seen in the 1980 movie The Victim and the 2006 movie Fearless. Please visit our next page about Sai - no not Uncle Si.
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| Training in kobudo is part of the Shorin-Ryu karate system. At the Arizona Hombu dojo - our students train in kata, bunkai, and kumite using kobudo weapons. |
