Is an old art with weapons which initially were used as self defence during the period in Okinawan history in which it was forbidden to use any type of weapon. During this period, the Okinawans learned to fight without weapons or, with what they had in hand, showing great ingeniousness in this sense. Possibly, excepting the “sai” (instrument of metal, similar to a small sword, used to block), what they had in hand were feudal articles which were used on a daily basis.
In the Shorin-Ryu system (Matsubayashi) of Karate-do, the following weapons have been incorporated as a complement for those students who are interested in this practice and who have acquired a considerable mastery in karate-do training: BO, SAI, NUNCHAKU and TONFA.