{{Short description|East Asian staff weapon}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}} {{Other uses|Bo (disambiguation)}}{{Distinguish|Quarterstaff}}thumb|250px|A traditional ''rokushakubō'' is 1.82m (6 ''shaku'') and wielded with both hands, due to its weight and size. A {{Nihongo|2=棒|3='''bō'''}} (''pong'' (Korean); ''pang'' (Cantonese); ''bang'' (Mandarin);<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=The Weaponless Warriors|author=Kim, R.|date=1974|publisher=Ohara Publications|isbn=9780897500418|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1NiiC4CVw2gC&pg=PA26|page=26|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref><ref name="google8">{{cite book|title=Bo, Karate Weapon of Self-defense|author=Demura, F.|date=1976|publisher=Ohara Publications|isbn=9780897500197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hz1kLZYjwE0C&pg=PA10|page=10|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> ''kun'' (Okinawan)) is a staff weapon used in Okinawa. ''Rokushakubō'' are typically around {{convert|1.8|m|in|abbr=on}} long and used in Okinawan martial arts and Japanese arts such as bōjutsu. Other staff-related weapons are the ''jō'', which does not have a standard length, and the ''hanbō'' (half ''bō''), which is {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="google3">{{cite book|title=The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art|author=Hayes, S.K.|date=1990|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=9780804816564|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GsSMsu21CQkC&pg=PA79|page=79|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref><ref name="google4">{{cite book|title=Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts|author1=Draeger, D.F.|author2=Smith, R.W.|date=1980|publisher=Kodansha International|isbn=9780870114366|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_o73NOjb4p4C&pg=RA1-PA117|pages=1–117|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref><ref name="google5">{{cite book|title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Karate|author1=Hassell, R.G.|author2=Otis, E.|date=2000|publisher=Alpha Books|isbn=9780028638324|url=https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00hass_0|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00hass_0/page/204 204]|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref>
==Types== The ''bō'' is usually made with unfinished (no varnish, stain, etc) hardwood or a flexible wood, such as red or white oak, although bamboo and pine wood have been used; more common still is rattan wood for its strength and flexibility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Bo Staff: Martial Arts Weapon of a Legendary Style - Malevus |url=https://malevus.com/bo-staff/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=malevus.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The modern ''bō'' may be tapered in that it can be thicker in the center (''chukon-bu'') than at the ends (''kontei'')<ref name="google6">{{cite book|title=Bo, Karate Weapon of Self-defense|author=Demura, F.|date=1976|publisher=Ohara Publications|isbn=9780897500197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hz1kLZYjwE0C&pg=PA19|page=19|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> and is usually round or circular (''maru-bo''). Some bō are very light, with metallic sides, stripes and a grip which are used for XMA and competitions/demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XMA Bo |url=http://www.aerostrike.com.au/store/p25/XMA_Bo.html |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=Aerostrike Martial Arts Thornbury Karate Kickboxing BJJ MMA |language=en}}</ref>Older bō were round (''maru-bo''), square (''kaku-bo''), hexagonal<ref name="google7">{{cite book|title=Jo: Art of the Japanese Short Staff|author1=Lowry, D.|author2=Lee, M.|date=1987|publisher=Ohara Publications|isbn=9780897501163|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=57sOo2TpPYUC&pg=PA22|page=22|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> (''rokkaku-bo'') or octagonal (''hakkaku-bo''). The average size of a bō is 6 shaku (around {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}}) but they can be as long as {{convert|9|ft|m|abbr=on}} (''kyu-shaku-bō'').<ref name="google8"/>
A {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} ''bō'' is usually called a {{Nihongo|2=六尺棒|3=rokushakubō}}. This name derives from the Japanese words {{Nihongo|2=六|3=roku}}, meaning "six"; {{Nihongo|2=尺|3=shaku}}; and ''bō''. The ''shaku'' is a Japanese measurement equivalent to 30.3 centimeters (0.994 ft). Thus, ''rokushakubō'' refers to a staff about 6-''shaku'' (1.82 m; 5.96 feet) long. The ''bō'' is typically 3 cm (1.25 inch) thick, sometimes gradually tapering from the middle (''chukon-bu'') to 2 cm (0.75 inch) at the end (''kontei''). Traditional bō are not tapered. This thickness allows the user to make a tight fist around it in order to block and counter an attack.<ref name="google8"/>
In some cases for training purposes or for a different style, and in more recent years, rattan is used.<ref name="google9">{{cite book|title=Weapons|author=Ollhoff, J.|date=2010|publisher=Abdo Publishing Company|isbn=9781604532876|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UKx9z4upIUQC&pg=PA14|page=14|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> Some were inlaid or banded with strips of iron or other metals for extra strength.<ref name="google7" /> ''Bō'' range from heavy to light, from rigid to highly flexible, and from simple pieces of wood picked up from the side of the road to ornately decorated works of art.
==Martial arts== {{unreferenced section|date= December 2010}} right|thumb|upright|Japanese wooden staff "bō" weapon made in the shape of a walking cane, {{convert|1.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} circumference right|thumb|upright|Two Japanese bō; one is {{convert|140|cm|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} in circumference in the form of a walking stick, the other is 180 cm (6 ft) tall and {{convert|1|in|abbr=on}} in diameter in the form of a staff.
The Japanese martial art of wielding the ''bō'' is ''bōjutsu''. The basis of ''bō'' technique is ''te'', or hand, techniques derived from ''quanfa'' and other martial arts that reached Okinawa via trade and Chinese monks. Thrusting, swinging, and striking techniques often resemble empty-hand movements, following the philosophy that the ''bō'' is merely an "extension of one’s limbs". Consequently, bōjutsu is often incorporated into other styles of empty hand fighting, such as karate. The "bō" is also used as a spear and long sword in some of its motions, such as upward swing and slashing motion across the body as well as extensions by gripping one end and thus increasing its length as thus making it similar to a spear.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Demura |first=Fumio |title=Bo: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense |date=1 May 1976 |publisher=Ohara Publications |isbn=9780897500197 |edition=First |location=Japan |pages=11, 20–25, 94, 95, 98–101 |language=}}</ref>
The ''bō'' is typically gripped in thirds, with one palm facing the opposite direction of the other palm, enabling the staff to rotate and to secure the weapon when blocking. The power is generated by the back hand pulling the staff, while the front hand is used for guidance. ''Bō'' technique includes a wide variety of blocks, strikes, sweeps, and entrapments.<ref name=":0" />
==History== {{more citations needed section|date= December 2010}} The earliest form of the ''bō'', a staff, has been used throughout Asia since the beginning of recorded history. Used for self-defense by monks or commoners, the staff was an integral part of the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū, one of the martial arts oldest surviving styles. The staff evolved into the ''bō'' with the foundation of kobudō, a martial art using weapons, which emerged in Okinawa in the early 17th century.<ref>Draeger, Donn F. (1973) Classical Budo. Boston: Weatherhill. Page 68. {{ISBN|978-0-8348-0234-6}}</ref>
Prior to the 15th century, Okinawa, a small island located south of Japan, was divided into three kingdoms: Chuzan, Hokuzan, and Nanzan. After much political turmoil, Okinawa was united under the First Sho Dynasty in 1429. In 1477, Emperor Sho Shin came into power. Determined to enforce his philosophical and ethical ideas, while banning feudalism, the emperor instituted a ban on weapons. It became a crime to carry or own weapons such as swords, in an attempt to prevent further turmoil and prevent an uprising.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="pacifism">{{cite news |last=Smits |first=Gregory |date=September 13, 2010 |title=Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism |url=http://apjjf.org/-Gregory-Smits/3409/article.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123153858/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://apjjf.org/gregory-smits/3409/article |archive-date=23 January 2025 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=The Asia-Pacific Journal |page=37-3-10}}</ref>
In 1609, the temporary peace established by Sho Shin was violently overthrown when the powerful Shimazu clan of Satsuma invaded and conquered Okinawa. The Shimazu lords placed a new weapons ban, leaving the Okinawans defenseless against samurai weaponry. In an attempt to protect themselves, the people of Okinawa looked to simple farming implements, which the samurai would not be able to confiscate, as new methods of defense. This use of weapons developed into kobudo, or "ancient martial way" as known today.<ref>{{cite book |author=Donn F. Draeger & Rober W. Smith |title=Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts |publisher=Kodansha International |year=1969 |isbn=978-0-87011-436-6}}</ref>
Although the ''bō'' is now used as a weapon, its use is believed by some to have evolved from the long stick (''tenbin'') which was used to balance buckets or baskets. Typically, one would carry baskets of harvested crops or buckets of water or fish, etc., one at each end of the ''tenbin'', which is balanced across the middle of the back at the shoulder blades. In poorer agrarian economies, the ''tenbin'' remains a traditional farm work implement.<ref name="google8"/><ref name="google11">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_V9sDAAAAMBAJ|title=Black Belt|date=December 2003|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|others=Black Belt magazine|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_V9sDAAAAMBAJ/page/n153 22]|issn=0277-3066|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> In styles such as Yamanni-ryū or ''Kenshin-ryū'', many of the strikes are the same as those used for ''yari'' ("spear")<ref name="google12">{{cite book|title=Exotic Weapons of the Ninja|author=Campbell, S.|date=1999|publisher=Carol Publishing Group|isbn=9780806520636|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BlT-x4vqaC4C&pg=PA17|page=17|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref> or ''naginata'' ("glaive").<ref name="google13">{{cite book|title=Bo, Karate Weapon of Self-defense|author=Demura, F.|date=1976|publisher=Ohara Publications|isbn=9780897500197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hz1kLZYjwE0C&pg=PA18|page=18|access-date=2015-09-13}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Bō.jpg|Japanese ''bō'' 6 ft tall File:Bō 2.JPG|Japanese bō, close up of one end or tip (''kontei'') File:Various antique Japanese bo (staff) showing the (kontei).jpg|Various antique Japanese ''bo'' showing the ''kontei'' (end or tip) </gallery>
==See also== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} *Arnis *Bōjutsu *Budō *Gun (staff) *Hanbō *Jō *Kanabō *List of martial arts weapons *Nami *Okinawan kobudō *Quarterstaff *Stick-fighting *Tahtib *Tanbō *Yubi-bo *Ruyi Jingu Bang *Donatello *Jade *Gambit {{div col end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Bō}} {{wiktionary|棒}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070224192428/http://www.martialarm.com/weapons/weapons-bo-staff.html Martialarm.com] * [http://www.koryu.com/library/mskoss7.html Koryu.com]
{{KobudoWeapons}} {{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bo}} Category:Weapons of Okinawa Category:Japanese martial arts terminology Category:Samurai staff weapons Category:Staff weapons of Japan Category:Non-lethal weapons