Nunti Bo – Okinawan Kobudo Weapon
The Nunti Bo is a traditional Okinawan spear with hooks. This weapon was originally developed from a fisherman’s gaff (pole with a sharp hook used to draw in a large fish).
The modern Nunti Bo is about 5-6 feet in length with a wooden shaft and metal head. The head of the weapon is traditionally a ‘Manji Sai’ that is a Sai that has one side prong facing upwards and one pointing downwards in the shape of a Manji (a Japanese symbol). Therefore, some Nunti Bo techniques are similar to Sai techniques. Basic techniques include blocks, thrusts, strikes and trapping techniques.
This weapon can be found in the Kubudo training (weapons training) of many different Karate styles. However, the Nunti Bo is less utilized than other better-known Kubudo weapons such as the Bo, Nunchaku, Sai, etc.
For other Okinawan weapons, please visit the main Kobudo Weapons or Martial Arts Weapons sections.
Kata Demonstration with a Nunti Bo
References
- Mountain Stream Budo, Kobudo, http://www.mountainstreambudo.com/kobudo.htm, Added – 08/13/14
- Jeffery’s Okinawan Kenpo Karate Academy, Weapons History, http://www.jefferykenpo.com/weapons.html, Added – 08/13/14