Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama

A great day last weekend shooting with Gojuryu karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama. As is clear from the following photos the idea that karate is a weaponless martial art is clearly not accurate. Although many practitioners state that karate means empty hand, the original meaning of the word was Chinese hand. Improvised weapons, many from farming equipment, were very much part of karate.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with nunchaku

It might seem strange to see a karate master using duct tape covered nunchaku, but it’s also impressive that he’s using them so much he’s got to give them a little reinforcement.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with rokushaku bo

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far” Theodore Roosevelt, a big proponent of the rokushaku bo.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with tonfa

Tonfa now used by police forces across the world.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with eku (an oar)

Never start a fight at the Okinawan dragon boat races.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with timbe (shield) and sai

The Okinawan sai, as used by Raphael. Hopefully before you clicked on that link you weren’t thinking of this other Raphael.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with kama

Hokama-sensei showed how the kama can be used between the opponents legs to end the fight very quickly.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with sansetsukon

And if one big stick isn’t enough why not carry two or three.

Gojuryu Karate 10th dan Tetsuhiro Hokama with kali sticks