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ShinHanboJutsu.org 新半棒術Shin Hanbo Jutsu |
Shin Hanbo Jutsu is a modern (Shin) martial art (Jutsu) with classical Japanese weapons, including the Hanbo. Here, Shin means ‘new’, since this martial art has been developed in a modular way since 2008 by Wim van de Leur (1944). In total, five different classical Japanese weapons are used within Shin Hanbo Jutsu, which are briefly explained below.
Shin Hanbo Jutsu was created because there was a need for a system of self-defense against armed attacks, such as with a stick or a knife, within Karate-Jutsu. However, in order to defend yourself well against this, it is necessary that the budoka can also handle this weapon themselves. Those who are sufficiently trained in this are able to handle everyday objects as weapons.
Bo
The Bō (or 棒 in Japanese) is a wooden fighting staff. Its length is expressed in shaku (or 尺 in Japanese), that is, in the Japanese foot, which is slightly shorter than the English foot, namely 11.9 inches long (instead of 12 inches in 1 English foot). The size of 1 shaku is standardized as 10/33 meter. Since the Bo measures six shaku (that is 182 cm or 71.6 inches), it is formally referred to as the Roku Shaku Bo ( 六尺棒 ), as roku (or 六 in Japanese) means ‘six’. In transcribed Okinawan, it is called Kon (also spelled as Kun). Its thickness is usually between 24 and 30 millimeters. The traditional Japanese Bo is the same thickness over the entire length, but in addition the (Taiwanese) Bo can also taper at the ends.
Hanbo
The Hanbo (or 半棒 in Japanese) is a fighting stick that is half as long as the Bo. The regular length of the Hanbo corresponds to three (san) sizes of the Japanese foot ( 尺 shaku), which is why it is also referred to as the Sanshakubo (usually written as Sanjakubo). With a regular length of 90.9 centimeters, the length of the Hanbo in practice often varies between 90 and 100 centimeters.
Tanbo
The Tanbo (or 短棒 in Japanese) is a short fighting stick that is slightly longer than the own forearm when held at one end. As a result, the length of the Tanbo often varies between 40 and 60 centimeters.
Tanto
The Tanto (or 短刀 in Japanese) is a Japanese knife, often with a hardwood handle and provided with a hardwood sheath. The length of the blade usually varies between 15 and 30 centimeters. Literally, the term Tanto means ‘short sword’ (that is, a short Katana).
Tenouchi
The term Tenouchi (or 手の内 in Japanese) means ‘inside the hand’. This Te-no-Uchi refers to something that is held inside the hand ( 手 te), to strike ( 内 uchi) with it. For example, this could be a short stick that is slightly longer than the width of the palm. If a loop of cord is attached to it (in the middle) through which the fingers can pass, so that it cannot slip out of the hand (as in the image above), it is also called a Koppo.
