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Kuwa – Okinawan Hoe (And Tool of Self Defense!)

September 16, 2009 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Bunkai, How-To, Martial Arts, Okinawa Kenpo, Techniques, karate, kobudo, self defense

I’d like to focus this post on another one of the weapons of Okinawan Kobudo. The kuwa, or hoe, is a very common and unremarkable piece of equipment. In fact, almost every agrarian society developed a version of the hoe. It’s that level of acceptance in standard society that makes it such a great tool for self defense. Even in old Okinawa a sword or spear would draw sidelong looks from both neighbors and Japanese guard…but a hoe was completely natural and understood.

Anatomy of a Kuwa

This is a picture of my kuwa, generously constructed for me by my instructor Rick Zondlo. For those of you who love details, I included the names of the parts above (impress your friends at parties). If you’d like to buy your own kuwa, find handles here and blades here.

When trying to pronounce the name of the handle “e”, say it as “ehh” and not “ee”. The rest of the parts follow suit (ehh-jee-ree, ehh-gah-she-rah, koo-wah-bah).

Using the Kuwa

When people first think about using the kuwa, they usually imagine a big gashing motion with the blade edge. It would seem at first glance that this is the most devastating move for the weapon. While that is indeed an option, there are actually more dynamic tactics you can utilize.

First of all, the egashira (top end) can be used for thrusting purposes. As opposed to relying purely on large swinging motions, the kuwa can be prepped almost like a bo and thrust forward at extremely quick velocity. Due to its relatively small size, the egashira can also be pulled back quickly and “reloaded” for another thrust.

The reverse end of the egashira (as in, the side opposite the cutting hoe blade), is also utilized. Swinging motions with this part of the kuwa result in blunt trauma. This may seem less effective than a full-on blade strike, but it also allows for quick follow-up techniques. If there are multiple opponents, or reasons to hit one opponent more than once, it is critical not to get the blade stuck or snagged in the opponent’s clothes, body, etc.

The ejiri (butt end) is an equally important aspect of kuwa technique. If you have a hoe with a thick metal blade plate, it can be fairly hefty at the top. This results in slower movements, especially when compared to a perfectly balanced weapon like a sword. In order to compensate for that disadvantage, one can use the ejiri as the initial blocking and striking aspect, and then follow up with a finishing technique with the solid front end.

The ejiri can be manipulated very quickly. When holding a kuwa with the ejiri facing your opponent and the heavy metal end to the rear, the metal actually serves as a fulcrum and helps increase the speed and dynamics of the ejiri. What results is a tool that can keep pace even with fast weapons, but can then follow up with punishing, heavy blows.

Kuwa Kata

Here is a look at a rare kuwa kata called kue no di. As far as I know, this is the only officially established kuwa kata still practiced:

You’ll notice a great variety of strikes used, and also some scenarios where dirt is being thrown. Remember, Okinawan self defense was never designed to play by a set of rules! Dirt, sand, and sun in the opponent’s eyes are all very viable tactics.

When it comes to handling the kuwa itself, the hand position is either sword style or thrust style. In sword style, the hands are both toward the bottom end, about two hands width apart. In thrust style, one hand is toward the top, the other at the bottom.

Kuwa Bunkai

Now let’s take a look at the kuwa in action. For this I will be recruiting the help of Nishiuchi Sensei, as he has a great video on the topic (note: Nishiuchi Sensei’s partner has excellent hair and acting ability):

You’ll’ notice that when using the kuwa Nishiuchi Sensei initially concerns himself with controlling centerline. He’ll use small circles and blocks to clear a path to strike. After that “opener” he will come in with bigger arcing attacks. This is a key concept for the use of kuwa.

Final Thought

When you first start using kuwa, you are probably going to be caught off guard by how bulky the top end feels. The harder you swing, the harder it wants to drag your body weight with it. After awhile though it becomes less of a burden and you open up to the idea of using the ejiri.

If you’ve got a garden and understanding neighbors, maybe it’s time to start integrating a little technique! Show those tomatoes you mean business.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 and is filed under Bunkai, How-To, Martial Arts, Okinawa Kenpo, Techniques, karate, kobudo, self defense. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

xygoxen
  • Good post, Matt! I like how you present what could be seen as a simple gardening tool and explain the training and potential for self defense. The fact that kobudo was once a way of survival for some people proves the usefulness of things like this. And, I think this shouldn't be discounted in modern society either. Just because new ways come along...we shouldn't forget the things that have worked well so far. We may need those skills again one day. Training in kobudo, especially in (what could be) improvised weapons of oppotunity like this, is still very useful skill today. Thanks for showing that with this post.
  • I never thought of the hoe being part of a kobudo syllabus - thanks for sharing Matt :)
  • No problem sean - it looks like you'll be doing some aggressive gardening now. haha.
  • lol, you bet!
  • I love your articles about Okinawan weapons, especially those that go beyond the usual ones of bo, sai, nunchaku and kama. There is such a diversity of those weapons and a lack of qualified instruction.

    The kuwa also shows a link to Chinese gung fu since the hoe is used in a number of Chinese styles.
  • Wow! I bet you're the life and soul of the party discussing your kuwa parts (:
    Nice article though. I don't think the kuwa is on our list of 10 weapons to learn in kobudo. My sensei wouldn't let me loose with a bladed weapon anyway - it's the only reason I've still got fingers!
  • who wouldn't be captivated by weapon components????
  • Remo1366
    Thanx for the heads up Eric.
  • noahl
    Very cool, Matt!
  • Remo1366
    Nice well written piece.Great to see articles like these. It's a good reminder that even simple unassuming things can be used when the need arises. I don't suppose you know of a supplier for "real" kawa,do you? Domo Arigato
  • Ax-Kick Eric
    You might be lucky enough to find the blade at a local Lowes, Home Depot, or tractor supply store. Otherwise, just do a search for "grub hoe".
  • Unfortunately I do not. According to Nishiuchi Sensei you can go to kmart and get something very similar, just perhaps needing a cutting down to size.

    But when it comes to kuwa coming from Japan or Okinawa itself, I do not know a supplier.
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