Hanbo

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The hanbo (??, lit. “half-staff”) is a quarterstaff used in martial arts. Traditionally, the hanbo was three shaku (90 cm) long, exactly half the length of the usual staff, the rokushakubo (“six shaku staff”). As with any weapon, bearers would often find one best suited to their build, opting often for one that comes up to about waist/hip height.

Hanbojutsu, the art of wielding the hanbo, is a focus in several martial arts including the Kukishin-ryu koryu classical school of martial arts, and Kukishinden-ryu, one of the nine schools of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Part of the importance in using this length is that it is approximately that of a walking cane. It should be noted that although techniques with a cane in this ryu-ha utilize pulling or hooking and possess one rounded end, that they invariably function the same as a hanbo in all other respects.

The hanbo can be used as a means of striking, restraining or even throwing someone. It is useful to know because sticks are abundant and can be picked up if attacked. Masaaki Hatsumi says that one who wishes to be a swordsman should first master hanbo techniques, since it can be held and utilized in a similar fashion to a Japanese sword (but without the cutting edge). When utilized properly (parrying by deflecting the sword by striking the flat parts of the blade), it was more than capable of defeating a katana.

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