Every 4 months or so, the USAGF conducts Weapons Certificate training. Kobudo is the study of weapons and it is an integral part of everyone’s training in USA GOJU. In fact, you must have all 8 certificates in order to test for black belt.
The weapons of the USAGF are the Escrima, Bo, Sai, and Nunchaku. Each weapon has a beginner or basic certification and an advanced. With each certification there are physical requirements like self defence and dexterity, a Kata and a written test about the history of each weapon. You must pass all 3 sections of the test to become certified. Upon successful completion of each test you are awarded an authorized certificate of achievement that is suitable for framing.
The first seminar that students take is the Basic Escrima and you are eligible once you have learned the empty hand kata, Soft Tekioko which is usually once you have 2 stripes on your white belt or 7th Kyu.
At the next seminar offering you have the option of taking the Advanced Escrima course or taking the Basic Bo seminar. By the time you’ve earned both certificates in Escrima and Bo you will be approaching the rank of Purple Belt or 4th Kyu and your sensei will often wait until you’ve achieved that rank before you can attend the Sai Seminars. Do to the complex nature of the Nunchaku you are not eligible to train with that weapon until you have attained the rank of Brown Belt. There are some martial arts schools that teach novices how to twirl these weapons but in the USAGF we treat the study of each weapon very seriously, especially the nunchaku.
We also study the Cane. Sensei Schopp created this form called Sento Tsu Do or the Way of the Fighting Cane and this is taught in our dojo but is not part of the certificated series of Kubodu training. There is also the study of the Fan. This weapon has a Kata that can be learned at an intermediate rank.
Once you attain the rank of Black Belt there are more weapons to study. The Tonfa, Kama, Katana and Oar.
Remember, We must always train and study.
Leave a Comment