09/17/2015
Hanbojutsu is the study of the "half staff" as it is literally translated. Although the hanbo is a lot of times referred to as a "walking" stick, it was also the right length to simulate fighting with one of the broken ends of a one of the longer weapons whether a bo, jo, yari, or naginata. This was one of the reasons we chose to make our hanbo the same diameter as our bo and yari. The transition would then be seamless. On occasion we will carry both yari and hanbo together and have a sword strike in such a way to drop the yari while retaining the hanbo simulating a broken weapon. We then continue the fight with the hanbo against the sword so practitioners do not hesitate. They learn to adapt and flow on in the fight. This teaches one to adapt and keep moving! Gambatte!!!