May 17, 2024
Mikey: Bojutsu & Nunchaku Blog
Mikey: Bojutsu & Nunchaku Blog
In our journey through martial arts training, each session presents an opportunity for growth and discovery. This week’s training sessions were no exception as we delved into the world of traditional weapons, focusing on the bo-staff and nunchucks. Under the guidance of our skilled instructor, we embarked on a journey to understand the fundamental principles and techniques of these iconic weapons. Through a blend of structured instruction and practical application, we explored the intricacies of wielding the bo-staff and nunchucks, seeking to unlock their potential as tools of both defence and discipline. As we navigated through the training sessions, we found ourselves drawn into the rich history and philosophy that surrounds these ancient martial arts disciplines. With each strike and spin, we uncovered new insights into the art of combat and self-mastery, laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of our own abilities and limitations.
Week One:
This week, we spent the first half an hour learning the basic blocks and some strikes of the bo-staff. Our teacher is very good at making it easy to understand, and he does this by linking it to Tae Kwon Do in any way that he can for me forming links to previous knowledge is one of the fastest ways to get someone to understand something. We then also learnt how to do some basics with the Nunchucks and started to learn how they could be useful in certain situations. Many people didn’t like the Nunchucks and preferred the Bo-staff, I personally liked them both and this is probably to do with something Miyamoto Musashi once said.
“You should not have a favorite weapon, nor likes and dislikes. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well.”
MIyamoto Musashi (The book of the five rings)
Week Two:
During the second week of training, our focus shifted towards refining our techniques with both the bo-staff and nunchucks. A significant portion of our time was dedicated to mastering the art of spinning the bo-staff, a skill that requires finesse and precision. As we delved deeper into the practice, we honed our ability to seamlessly transition between different types of strikes with the nunchucks, solidifying our understanding of the weapon’s dynamics. Specifically, we concentrated on smoothly transferring the nunchucks from one side of our body to the other, enhancing our agility and control. Similarly, with the bo-staff, we immersed ourselves in the intricacies of spinning it to and from each side, gradually building muscle memory and coordination. Each session was an opportunity to further develop our proficiency with these traditional martial arts weapons, laying a solid foundation for more advanced techniques to come.
As we conclude this week’s training sessions, we reflect on the progress we’ve made and the lessons we’ve learned. Through dedicated practice and perseverance, we have begun to unravel the mysteries of the bo-staff and nunchucks, gaining a newfound appreciation for their power and versatility. Along the way, I have embraced the wisdom of Miyamoto Musashi, recognising the importance of remaining open-minded and adaptable in our approach to martial arts. Just as Musashi cautioned against the pitfalls of favouritism, we too have learned the value of embracing diversity and embracing the unique strengths of each weapon and others. As we look ahead to the weeks to come, we do so with a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to continue our journey towards mastery and self-discovery. With each step forward, we move closer to unlocking our full potential as martial artists, guided by the timeless principles of discipline, respect, and perseverance.
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