The bo, sometimes called a rokushakubo, is a long staff, traditionally around six feet, or roughly 180 cm, in length, used as a weapon in Okinawan kobudo and taught alongside some styles of karate. It is generally made from a single length of hardwood, tapered slightly at each end, and is held and swung with both hands, allowing strikes, blocks and sweeps from either end.
Bo training usually begins with basic strikes, blocks and footwork performed solo, similar in spirit to kihon for empty hand technique, before progressing to prearranged forms and, in some schools, partnered drills with a training partner. Because of its length and reach, the bo is often introduced as one of the first weapons in a kobudo curriculum, with shorter weapons such as the jo or sai sometimes taught afterward.
Choosing a bo of the right length and weight for a student's height makes early training noticeably easier. See our weapons training guide for sizing and material considerations.
