The Rare & Deadly Weapon of Okinawa
There was time in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, that all weapons were prohibited, when the Satsuma domain from Japan invaded Okinawa in 1609. Ordinary farming and fishing tools, such as a sickle (Kama) or boat oar (Eku) became weapons in the hands of martial arts exponents. Taeko Ebata is a master of Kobudo, ancient weapons of Okinawa and also a master of local Okinawan dance or Kumiodori. She is one of just a few women preserving these ancient skills. We visited Ebata sensei in Okinawa to film her favorite weapon - the Kuwa or garden hoe which is not often seen and is very deadly. In the next video she will show us the connection of local Okinawan dance to karate.
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