Kobudo Programs | Program #1

Central New York Karate compliments the GoJu Ryu Karate training through the study of Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo - traditional Okinawan weapons. These weapons include the:

  • Bo - Six foot staff
  • Sai - Short sword
  • Tonfa - side handled baton
  • Nunchaku - 2 - section staff
  • Kama - sickle
  • Eku - oar
  • Tekko - brass knuckles
  • and others

Kobudo is an entirely separate art, even though many American systems combine it as part of their Karate (or "empty hand") system. At Central New York Karate and Kobudo, our aim is to preserve this art in its original form, much the same way we strive to do that for our karate program. Students who decide to train in Kobudo have a Kobudo rank which is separate from their karate rank. The classes and curriculum are all separate and follow the same format as the classes at the Ryu Kon Kai headquarters in Gushikawa City, Okinawa, Japan.

Sensei Labbate began training in Kobudo in 1975. Sensei Labbates teachers include the late Matayoshi Shinpo, head of Matayoshi Kobudo Ryu Kon Kai, as well as his current teacher, Master Kotaro Iha Sensei who is the head of the Ryu Kon Kai Association. Sensei Labbate is a 6th degree black belt in Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo and continues to train himself and his students in the traditions of the great Masters.

Back to Programs