Kōburyū Kobudō Hojoundō

Hojoundō are exercises that have been developed for a particular purpose that can include::

Warm up exercises
An aid to perfecting technique
Developing both the right and left sides of the body
Build muscle memory

Hojoundō are especially important to kobudō because each weapon has a unique set of skills. Typically, with the exception of bō, a weapon has only one or at most two kata. The kata cannot possibly cover the full range of the weapon’s capability. Therefore, the weapon’s hojoundō may include moves and combinations not found in the kata.

Roku Shaku Bō

Sai

Nunchaku

Tonkua

Tinaka

Kama

Ieku

Nunti

The roku shaku bō hojoundō are drills to perfect the basic strikes, combinations of blocks and attacks and use of the legs for power. These exercises are also great preparation for the first bō kata, Shushi no Kon.

Two Ways to Hit With the Bō

uchi (noun) utsu (verb)	打ち打つ	to hit; to strike; to beat
nuki (noun) nukeru (verb)	抜ける	to go through

The bō is most often used to strike (and block) using the side of the bō .

The bō can also be used to thrust at an opponent, either gripped with both hands or in a sliding thrust for more reach. The sliding technique is much like a strike with a pool cue. The front hand guides the bō while the back hand powers the thrust.

The Bō Hojoundō

	Technique	Detail
1.	Jōdan uchi	strike to the top of the head
2.	Kubi uchi	strike to the neck
3.	Chūdan uchi	strike to the midsection at floating ribs height
4.	Gedan uchi	strike to the outside of the knee
	Next four from zenkutsu dachi	Kake uke hooks the opponent’s weapon to the side using the whole body. Because the shoulders are turned and not squared with the opponent there is no need to return to the center before striking. The attack is launched directly from the block.
5.	Kake uke nodo zuki	hook block; throat strike
6.	Kake uke osae nodo zuki	hook block; pound down; throat strike
7.	Kake uke nodo nuki	hook block; throat thrust
8.	Kake uke osae nodo nuki	hook block; pound down; throat thrust
	Next four from neko ashi dachi	The following set of four can be added when the upper set are solid; pound down and snap the bō back up before striking out (in a more advanced version the strike begins from the down position)
9.	Kake uke nodo zuki	hook block; throat strike
10.	Kake uke osae nodo zuki	hook block; pound down; throat strike
11.	Kake uke nodo nuki	hook block; throat thrust
12.	Kake uke osae nodo nuki	hook block; pound down; throat thrust

13.	O-buri	Step as you perform a big swinging strike to the neck and then step back with two quick steps. Repeat.
14.	Kubi uchi shiite uchi	Kubi uchi as usual followed by a rising strike along the same path, contacting with the back end of the bō
Extra	Age uchi	No step. Instead shift weight as you swing from low to high This is a block found in Chōun no Kon where it is performed from a 180 degree turn).
15.	Ippon tsuki	Step and thrust with the bō gripped in the center with one hand. Step back with two quick steps. Repeat.
16.	Sonoba tsuki	no step; shift weight as you thrust in an “overhand throw” motion
		The following set of five are combinations found in Shushi no Kon
17.	Gedan uke shiite uchi naname uchi	lower block; strike the neck with the back end of the bo and then strike the neck with the “forehand” end
18.	Gedan hanenoke nuki kubi uchi	sweeping lower block followed by a thrust to the foot and then a strike to the neck
19.	Gorenda	five continuous strikes
20.	Kubi uchi hikite jōdan tsuki	neck strike; pull back and then thrust to the throat or head
21.	Jōdan age uke gedan uchi	block up and then switch to nagi (off-center) grip and drop into the sweep: return to centered grip as rise up from sweep
		The next two are not techniques from a kata.
22.	Fuchin	the purpose of fuchin is to learn to use your legs by rising and falling
23.	Tekubi	a wrist strengthening exercise

Two Ways to Grip the Sai

uchi (noun) utsu (verb)	打ち打つ	to hit; to strike; to beat
nuki (noun) nukeru (verb)	抜ける	to go through

The sai can be held in two ways. The is most often used to strike (and block) using the side of the bō .

Two Ways to Attack With the Sai

Two Ways to Block With the Sai

However, a sai can be used singly to block or sweep an opponent’s weapon aside or in pairs to meet the opponent’s blow, where one sai supports the other. either by gripped with both hands or in a sliding thrust for more reach. The sliding technique is much like a strike with a pool cue. The front hand guides the bō while the back hand powers the thrust.

The Sai Hojoundō

Sai Hojoundo Basics

	Technique	Detail
		Sai in standard grip
1	Chūdan zuki	Step and punch to suigetsu or danchū
2	Jōdan uke	Upper block
3	Ryōte chūdan zuki	Step into heisoku dachi (feet side by side) as you punch midsection with both sai, dropping on the punch
		Sai in extended grip
4	Nodo nuki	Stab to throat
5	Jōdan uke	Upper block with single sai (more like a beating to the side than a catch using the yoko of the sai)
	Ryōte nodo zuki	Step into heisoku dachi (feet side by side) as you stab with both sai
		Hand switching exercises
6	Ue Hiraki Gaeshi	upper unfolding return (heiko dachi)
7	Mae Hiraki Gaeshi	front unfolding return (heiko dachi)

Nichō Zai Hojoundō

go	五	five
renda	連打	repeated blows; consecutive hits

The following hojoundō are designed to perfect the techniques of the kata, Nichō Zai. The main combination of the kata, sai gorenda, repeats a total of nine times. The combination is a sequence of five consecutive techniques (a – e below).

		Technique	Detail
1		Sai gorenda
	a	Chūdan zuki	Punch to suigetsu or danchū..
	b	Gedan uke	Flip to extended grip and lower block with sai extended.
	c	Chūdan zuki	Punch to suigetsu or danchū with opposite hand as you hikite.
	d	Nodo nuki	Stab to throat.
	e	Chūdan uke	Flip back to normal grip and block to midsection.
2		Ryōte gedan barai; ryōte jōdan uke	Lower “brushing away” block followed by a upper block using both sai. Not the Matayoshi version with interlocked sai. The vertical sai supports the sai that is held horizontally to block.
3		Gedan uke; jōdan uke; chūdan zuki	lower block from neko ashi dachi and then drive into zen kutsu dachi for the upper block followed by a step into a midsection punch
4		Ryōte kubi uchi; ryōte chūdan zuki	Strike to the side of the neck with both sai; flip to closed grip and strike with both sai to the lower midsection (possibly to the kyusho known as inazuma)
5		Nage	throw as step into zen kutsu dachi; immediately flip sai back into position along the arm ( the throw in Nichō Zai bunkai is a fake, since one should never deliberately throw away his or her weapon)

Kōbu No Sai Hojoundō

yōi	用意	get ready; prepare
harau	払う	to knock aside (verb)
harai barai	払い	sweeping stroke (noun)
tenshin	転進	shifting position

Once in extended grip the sai never flips back in this kata.

1	Yōi kara jōdan uke	from ready stance, step and upper block as the opposite hand flips the sai to extended grip return to yōi after each repetition
2	Sai gorenda	like sai gorenda of Nichō Zai except that the sai remains extended throughout; the target is always the throat
3	Ryōte gedan barai; ryōte jōdan uke	the same as that of Nichō Zai
4	Kubi harau uke; jōdan uchi	knock aside the neck attack twice (once from each side) and then strike to the top of the head
5	Jō Ge Wauke	Think of this as the sai version of kōsa uke. The “slap” with the sai is flat and direct, beginning to force the attack aside The second half of the block sweeps across and joins the “slap,” adding the power of both hands to the block The first sai is free to drop and act as the counterbalance to the gedan block
6	Osai nodo zuki	control the attack by “slapping” across followed by a pound down of the opponent’s weapon
7	Tenshin Gedan Barai	step aside, raising the knee to avoid the attack

Nichō Nunchaku Hojoundō

The nichō nunchaku hojo-undō were introduced in 2004 to improve body movement. Power is enhanced through rotation, fuchin and shifting the weight of the body.

The nichō nunchaku hojoundō are exercises that involve holding a nunchaku in each hand. One hand grips both halves of the nunchaku to used for blocking while the nunchaku in the other hand is used to flail.

The nichō nunchaku hojo-undō are designed for the beginning nunchaku student. Initially the student can perform the hojo-undō without catches – simply swinging the nunchaku onto the shoulder .

Ryōte Shita Uchi Yoko Buri

raise both nunchaku and then strike downward followed by side-to-side swing and around

begin step on upswing to next move and finish with knee flexing on strike down

Hachi No Ji Buri

side to side swing twice

catch nunchaku on the shoulder

Hachi No Ji Buri Yoko Buri

figure eight

catch as the next swing begins

Ryōte Shita Uchi Mae Dori

raise both nunchaku and then strike downward followed by catch at waist height on the return

Hachi No Ji Buri Mae Dori

figure eight catch as the next swing begins

Hachi No Ji Buri Yoko Buri

figure eight

catch as the next swing begins

Ryōte Yoko Buri

side to side swing with both hands

Basic Techniques and Combinations From Kōbu No Nunchaku

The nichō nunchaku hojo-undō were introduced in 2004 to improve body movement. Power is enhanced through rotation, fuchin and shifting the weight of the body.

Nodo Zuki

fumikomi and throat thrust (zen kutsu dachi)

Kontei Zuki

step and throat thrust (suegoshi dachi)

Osae

block across and push down to control as step forward into neko ashi dachi (from opening move of kata)

Osae Fumikomi Nodo Zuki

block across and push down to control as step forward into neko ashi dachi step forward with front foot into zenkutsu dachi and strike throat with string end of the nunchaku

Osae Fumidashi Nodo Zuki

block across and push down to control as step forward into neko ashi dachi full step forward and strike throat with string end of t nunchaku

Osae Gyaku-Nigiri De Kontei Zuki

block across and push down to control as step forward into neko ashi dachi (from last move of kata)switch grip on one hand and thrust to face with back end of the nunchaku

Me Tsubushi

eye smash (with step from kata to learn to use taijū)

Mae Dori

front catch

Age Naname Buri Sage Uchi Mae Dori

beginning from mae dori, diagonal swing starting low to high descending strike followed by front catch

Ofuku Naname Buri Sage Uchi Mae Dori

diagonal swing low to high followed by high to low and returning on the same path descending strikefront catch

Han Naname Buri Yoko Buri Mae Dori

half diagonal swing starting low (sanchin dachi)side to side swing (sanchin dachi)strike down followed by front catch (sanchin dachi)

Jōdan Uke Naname Buri Yoko Buri Mae Dori

Furi Nunchaku Techniques

Furi Age

fling up as step

Furi Sage

fling diagonally across and down as step

Katate Age Uke Furi Sage

step as block up with the nunchaku gripped in one handfling down and back up along the same path and catch

Katate Sage Uke Furi Age

step as block down with the nunchaku gripped in one handfling across and up and around to catch

Katate Sage Uke Okuriashi Furi Age

block down with the nunchaku gripped in one handokuriashi as fling across and up and around to catch

Strengthening Exercises

Ōfuku

strike high to low across body and retrace path on returnpalm up across and palm down on return

Shita Uchi Mae Dori

start heiko dachi in mae dori positionstrike down using sinking kneescatch on the returndraw nunchaku over other shoulder and repeat

Yoko Buri Kaeshi Dori

side to side swingvertical return catch

Yoko Buri Nikai Kaeshi Dori

side to side swing twicevertical return catch

Han Naname Buri

step on the upswing drop from the knees on the downward strike

There are three sets of nunchaku hojoundō.

Nichō Nunchaku Hojoundō

ni	二	two
chō	丁	counter for long narrow things

Nichō nunchaku hojoundō were introduced in 2004 to improve body movement. Power is enhanced through rotation, fuchin and shifting the weight of the body. The nichō nunchaku hojoundō can be used to teach beginning nunchaku. They are also great warm up exercises.

Using figure eight as a descriptor is misleading. If you think of the figure eight swing as the digit “8” laying on its side you will develop a softly rounded movement. Instead, think of the Japanese kanji for 8, 八. The technique should be two powerful slashes.

Over-the-shoulder Catch

The following three hojoundō are simplified for beginning nunchaku users. Number 1 has no catch. For numbers 2 and 3, the student catches by draping the nunchaku over the shoulder.

1.	Ryōte shita uchi yoko buri	raise both nunchaku and then strike downward with knee flexing on strike down side-to-side swing and around begin step on upswing to next move
2.	Hachi no ji buri	forehand slash backhand slash and around catch on the shoulder
3.	Hachi no ji buri yoko buri	forehand slash backhand slash and around swing across and back and around catch on the shoulder

One-handed Catch

Once the simplified catch is accomplished, the student can begin catching the nunchaku such that both ends of the nunchaku end up in the same hand. Care must be taken to complete the catch at about waist height. Any higher and the nunchaku has a tendency to flip into the beginner’s face.

Finally, the student can catch at the same time that they fling the opposite nunchaku up to begin the next strike. A further enhancement is adding a looping motion to begin the upswing such that the nunchaku remains in continuous motion.

4.	Ryōte shita uchi mae dori	raise both nunchaku and then strike downward with knee flexing on strike down catch at waist height on the return
5.	Hachi no ji buri	side to side swing twice catch as the next swing begins
6.	Hachi no ji buri yoko buri	figure eight swing side-to-side swing and around catch as the next swing begins
7.	Ryōte yoko buri	side to side swing with a nunchaku in each hand a step forward can be made on each strike

Hojoundō to prepare for Kōbu no Nunchaku Kata

In the old days number 6 and 7 were performed from sanchin dachi. Unfortunately, the better your sanchin dachi the more likely you are to hit your own ankle with that powerful diagonal downward strike. Been there. Done that. The stance should be a natural stance.

1.	Nodo zuki	step and throat thrust (zen kutsu dachi)
2.	Konte zuki	step and throat thrust (suegoshi dachi)
3.	Osae	step forward into neko ashi dachi block across and push down to control (opening move of Kōbu no Nunchaku kata)
4.	Age naname buri Sage uchi Mae dori	diagonal swing starting low to high descending strike front catch
5.	Ofuku naname buri Sage uchi Mae dori	diagonal swing low to high swing high to low returning on the same path and catch
6.	Han naname buri Yoko buri Mae dori	diagonal swing starting mae dori to high swing down diagonal swing starting low to high descending strike along same path swing across and back along same path catch
7.	Jōdan uke Naname buri Yoko buri Mae dori	upper block with both hands raised and nunchaku stretched between (do not think of blocking with the string but rather with one half of the nunchaku) diagonal swing starting high to low ascending strike along same path
8.	Osae Nodo zuki	step forward into neko ashi dachi, blocking across with both nunchaku and push down to control strike to throat with tip of one nunchaku supported by the opposite nunchaku
9.	Osae Konte zuki	step forward into neko ashi dachi, blocking across with both nunchaku and push down to control strike to face with hand-end of the nunchaku
10.	Me tsubushi	starting from mae dori with weight the leg on the catch side step forward with the opposite leg

The Flinging Hojoundō

This set requires a nunchaku in each hand, with both ends of the nunchaku gripped together. The word furi means to swing, but the swing for this set begins with a flip of the wrist. Therefore, fling is a better description than swing. There should be no wind up to the fling. Students should already be familiar with okuri ashi from Shushi no Kōn.

1.	Furi age	fling diagonally up as you step strike down along the same path “wind off” and catch
2.	Furi sage	fling diagonally down as you step strike up along the same path “wind off” and catch
3.	Age uke; furi sage	block across and up with both halves of the nunchaku gripped in one hand fling diagonally down “wind off” and catch
4.	Sage uke; furi age	block across and down with both halves of the nunchaku gripped in one hand fling diagonally up “wind off” and catch
5.	Sage uke; okuru ashi furi age	block across and down as you take one step forward with the leg on the flinging side brink the opposite foot up to parallel with the stepping foot step forward with the leg on the flinging side as you fling the nunchaku diagonally up “wind off” and catch

Tinaka No Hojoundo

(6 moves each)

step back, double hajiki, double temple, chun chun (step back with left foot first, ends on left).
Hirate mawashi uke (slapping palm up), collar bone, tsuki (first from left foot, ends on right).
palm down hirate mawashi uke, sokotogeri off of back foot (step with left do like kobuken, ends with right forward).
double strike to arm (suegoshi), jo, chu (step on chu), right foot first, ends with right foot forward.
ge, jo, chu, (right first, ends on left).
marote tsuki, side to side, turn to right first.
jo, ge, jo chu, right foot first, ends on left.
palm up hirate mawashi uke, shomen geri, left foot first, ends on right.

Tinaka no hojoundo

(sort form)

Step back, double hajiki, temple, chun, chun
Palm down hirate mawashi uke, ko sokotogeri
Collar bone strike
Double strike to arm, jo, chu
Ge, jo chu
Marote tsuki
Jo, ge, jo, chu
Palm up hirate mawashi uke, shomen geri

Tinaka Hojo·undō

[Tinaka Hojo·undō is similar in stepping to Sanchin Hojo·undō]

technique	direction	Foot forward	other
Chūdan zuki	Shōmen	RLR reverse LRL	Zen kutsu dachi
Ge Jō Chū Gedan burai Jōdan uke Chūdan zuki	Shōmen	RLR reverse LRL	Zen kutsu dachi
Jō Ge Jō Chū Jōdan uke Gedan burai Jōdan zuki Chūdan zuki	Shōmen	RLR reverse LRL	Zen kutsu dachi
Sokotō geriHirate mawashi ukeSokotō geri	Shōmen	RLR reverse LRL	Sanchin dachi block palms downkick off back foot
Shomen geri Hirate mawashi uke Zen soko geri Hirate mawashi uke Kō soko geri	Shōmen	RLR reverse LRL	Sanchin dachi slap with palm down and circle with palm up and return the slap hand to palm up positionkick off front footblock palms upkick off back foot
Sakotsu Hirate mawashi uke Sakotsu uchi Chūdan zuki	LRL RLR	LRL tenshin RLR	Sanchin dachi slap with palm up and circle with palm down drive down into collarbonepull back with hand flat to bodypunch with palm up
Wauke morote zuki	LRL RLR	LRL tenshin RLR	Sue goshi dachi

Note: For all motions use both hands.

Note: Tenshin step is like Sanchin No Hojo·undō

Stuff

1.	Jōdan uchi
2.	Kubi uchi
3.	Chūdan uchi
4.	Gedan uchi
5.	Kubi uchi, yoriashi, nodo zuki
6.	Kubi uchi, hikite, nodo zuki
7.	Yoko uke, osae (both hands down)
8.	Yoko uchi, hikite, chūdan zuki
9.	Gedan uchi, chūdan uchi (from kiba dachi) – do both sides