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The Crossing and Uncrossing of Kama (Okinawan Sickle)

April 5, 2010 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Bunkai,How-To,Martial Arts,Techniques,kobudo,videos

The kama is a very intriguing weapon. It behaves differently than both bludgeoning and slicing weapons, but contains a little essence of both.

In today’s video I provide a tactic for using the kama properly. Historically speaking the kama were used in pairs, and as such benefited from the ability to cross and uncross in order to cover zones and close distance.

Check it out as I explore a little bit of the weapon’s history, a breakdown of how crossing/uncrossing works, and finish with a little bit a good natured randori to put the weapons into action.

It’s important never to underestimate the role of distance and timing in a combative engagement. When using weapons, even the slightest slip up can result in serious injury. When using a short range weapon, you have to place mobility at the top of your priorities, and utilize techniques that have built in fail-safes. Crossing and uncrossing is very valuable in that regard.

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 5th, 2010 and is filed under Bunkai, How-To, Martial Arts, Techniques, kobudo, videos. 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.

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  • noahl

    Very nice video, Matt! I have always been interested in the kama and still hope to learn them someday–of course, I have to find a way to get back into a striking art, first! Thanks for the demonstration.

    On a side-note, my instructor back in Illinois nearly removed his hand when he was younger when he tried to “show off” with his kama during one of those crossing-uncrossing motions. He always makes sure to mention that any time kama is taught and makes sure people are remaining aware of the weapon and remain calm and focused.

    I personally believe part of the danger of practicing with kama is also the shape of the weapon–we generally work with weapons as an extension of the body, but most of them are direct linear extensions, like the sword or bo, or kali sticks if you are a southeast asian art practitioner. The kama are not simply linear, and I think that because the blades protrude from the realm of linear extension that we are used to, we may be prone to misjudging its position. Just a thought :)

  • bobpatteson

    Nice video!

  • http://www.whatwouldrobertoeliasdo.blogspot.com/ Jackthestripper

    I enjoyed the video :)

  • http://www.ikigaiway.com Matt__A

    Hey Noah. I think the kama and nunchaku are the most likely weapons to hurt yourself with. Like you said, managing the blades of the kama is very tricky and I definitely recommend practice with wooden or unsharpened versions first.

    Get yourself back into the arts!

  • http://www.tamarasheehan.wordpress.com/ Tamara

    Kamma kamma kamma kamma kamma chameleon!

    (Surely I'm not the only one who was thinking it.)

    Cool stuff! Thanks for the video!

  • http://www.ikigaiway.com Matt__A

    Well now I'm thinking it. Thanks a lot Tamara! hahaha.

  • http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/the-two-spirits-of-kobudo/ The Two Spirits of Kobudo | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way

    [...] as an example of analyzing each weapon for its own unique qualities, consider the kama. The kama is weak when it comes to long range. A bo user can keep a kama user at bay and outside of [...]

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