Bokutō
A bokutō ( Japanese 木刀 ) is a Japanese wooden sword that is used in the Japanese martial arts.
designation
The term is made up of the words Boku ( wood ) and Tō ( sword ). A synonym used practically only outside of Japan is bokken ( 木 剣 ), the syllable ken denotes double-edged blades. On the other hand, on reading from 刀 tō denotes a single-edged blade; the kun reading is katana .
material
Traditionally Japanese hardwoods are used as material, mainly the Japanese evergreen oak ( Quercus acuta ) and the bamboo-leaved oak ( Quercus myrsinifolia ), as the Bokutō has to withstand high pressure during training. In the meantime, however, non-Japanese types of hardwood are also used, which are cheaper to buy (Taiwanese / Chinese red oak are particularly popular). There are also (very expensive) bokutō made of precious woods such as Japanese Sunuke ( Distylium racemosum ) or ebony ( Diospyros spp.) Available. In the meantime, manufacturers from the USA also offer bokutō made of hickory wood ( Carya spp.). These are handcrafted from a plank and then bent into shape using steam. The wood, which u. a. is used in the production of baseball bats and ax shafts, is characterized by extreme resistance and flexibility, so that Bokutō made of this wood are considered to be almost indestructible . The breaking strength of hickory is 3 times as great as e.g. B. that of ebony, but hickory reacts sensitively to changes in the water content (swelling / shrinking). Recently, various types of wood have found their way into the manufacture of wooden weapons of all kinds, e.g. B. acacia , maple, birch, beech and ash , but also exotic species such as bloodwood (Satiné) ( Brosimum rubescens ), snakewood ( Brosimum guianense ), cocobolo , curupay ( Anadenanthera colubrina ), pockwood , Ipe ( Handroanthus spp.) And Jatoba ( Hymenaea courbaril ), whereby the types of wood are suitable for contact exercises or more realistic kata, depending on their density, weight and breaking strength.
Most cheap bokutō are then coated with a layer of clear varnish to prevent later deformation and rot due to excessively moist storage. In the case of cheap red oak bokutō, red lacquer is often used to conceal repaired defects. However, many users swear by unpainted wood, which is treated with oil ( tung , orange , camellia or clove oil ) and / or beeswax , or better carnauba wax , especially since sweaty hands have a bad grip on a lacquered handle ( tsuka ). The low friction can also cause blisters on the palms of the hands.
In retail , a large Bokutō costs around 15 to 400 euros (e.g. pock wood), depending on the type of wood and quality. In online retail, copies can be found from around 7 euros. However, these cheap variants should only be used with caution, because the risk of breakage or the resulting injury risk should not be underestimated. A short Bokutō (a so-called Shotō, the replica of the Japanese short sword Wakizashi) usually costs a little less than the long version of the same type of wood and processing, but the reverse is often the case, especially for imports and exclusive offers due to a much more complex production a.
to form
The usual Bokutō is available in two different sizes, the longer Bokutachi of approx. 101.5 cm in length (see regulations of the All Japan Kendo Federation ), which represents a katana , and a shorter Bokukodachi of approx. 57 cm, the length of one Wakizashi . The curvature of the blade, the angular back of the blade, the oval tsuka ( 攫 ) and the design of the kissaki (blade tip, 切 っ 先 ) deliberately imitate features of real Japanese blades. In older sword fighting dōjōs , as well as in aikidō , the wooden tantō is also used, which, like a normal tanto, measures around 30 cm.
Nowadays, the Bokutō are usually supplied with a tsuba ( 鍔 ) made of sturdy plastic and modeled after the traditional shape, which is fastened with a rubber ring (tsubadome) after being pulled over the blade tip . The notch on the rubber ring should be above the center of the back of the blade. High-quality tsuba can also be made of hard leather or wood. Unlike the Shinai , the handle ( tsuka ) is not round but shaped like a fish belly. This shape allows the trainee to feel the position of the blade as with a real katana during the exercise.
In addition to the Bokutō, which is known in Europe, there are various special forms:
- There is Bokutō with a groove on both sides ( Hi ), which corresponds to the groove of many shin-ken (sharp, real swords). This shape leads to a hissing noise during the cut, from which a teacher can recognize the correct guidance / handling.
- There are heavier and longer Bokutō for strengthening the arm muscles in Suburi , but they are unsuitable for partner exercises. Their length is between 110 and 115 cm, their weight is over 800 g and they are commonly referred to as suburi-tō.
- To practice partner forms in Iaidō, there is Bokutō with a Saya ( 鞘 ) made of plastic, which allow the realistic sequence of pulling ( nuki ) and returning ( noto ) within the kata . The forms of the "tachi uchi no ryu" of the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu / Muso Shinden Ryu are given as an example.
- The Iwama-ryu - Aikidō uses relatively heavy Bokutō with a larger diameter and without a point.
- Many Japanese sword fighting schools ( Kenjutsu -ryu ) have developed their own special Bokutō form, e.g. B. the Kashima Shin-Ryu and the Itto-Ryu.
- For exercises in Naginatadō , comparable training weapons are used, which have an extended handle in the manner of a Naginata .
use
The Bokutō is used in the training units of various Japanese martial arts instead of a katana or wakizashi. It enables realistic practice without running the risk of cutting or stabbing yourself and your partner. These include Aikidō , Jōdō and Kenjutsu as well as Iaidō .
Furthermore, the Bokutō is used to perform the Kata in Kendō ; the first seven kata are for the long bokudachi , the other three kata are performed by the student with the short bokukodachi . The specified processes are only carried out with blunt metal blades ( kata yo ) for demonstrations on special occasions .
In full contact partner exercises, however, a bokutō very quickly develops cracks and nicks when it hits the partner's weapon. It is therefore taught in many schools to feel the wooden blade for splinters or breaks before training in order to prevent injuries to other training partners. If necessary, you can repair the wood or replace the bokutō. There are now variants on the market made of polypropylene and similar synthetic materials. They are made, among other things, by a US knife company that also specializes in martial arts products. When sparring hard, you should pay attention to comparable technical values of the woods, otherwise the "weaker" Bokken can be destroyed quickly.
There is Bokutō with and without a shaped kissaki. The variant without kissaki is used in some schools to practice stabbing techniques in order to avoid injuries.
The Bokutō is also, mainly outside of Japan, viewed as a separate branch of arms, as it offers new waza (techniques) such as blocking and choking techniques, which are not possible with a katana due to the sharp blade.
Kendō-waza carried out with a little pressure can also easily shatter bones on contact with unprotected parts of the body . Thus, the Bokutō is not only a training device, but can also be a dangerous weapon . In the legal sense, however, it is similar to the baseball bat as sports equipment and may also be owned / carried by minors and passed on to them.
Before the first metal swords from China were used in Japan, swords made of wood and stone were used on the battlefield (among other things). A mention of the bokken as a weapon has been established for the year 400 AD.
literature
- Axel Schultz-Gora: Bokken. The wooden sword of the samurai . Weinmann Verlag, Berlin October 2000, ISBN 3-87892-069-5 .
- Dave Lowry: Bokken. Art of the Japanese Sword. Ohara Publications, Santa Clarita CA 1986, ISBN 0-89750-104-7 , (English).
Web links
- Kingfisher Woodworks : Manufacturer website with information on different shapes, types of wood, etc.
- Gungfu.de : Instructions for building your own with simple means
Individual evidence
- ↑ Junzo Sasamori, Gordon Warner: This is Kendo ... the Japanese art of fencing. 12th edition, Berlin 2004, Weinmann, ISBN 3-87892-025-3 , p. 19