The
following is a written, step-by-step description of Bo-Bo Kumite. I feel
it extremely important to note that much care must be taken when practicing and
performing this kata. It is very easy to smash each others fingers, so begin
learning the form slowly at first, and as accuracy and trust increase, speed and
power can increase. I would suggest using a foam practice bo to begin with, or
at the very least, wear some sort of protection on your hands. Please enjoy
this transcription of the kata, and if you have any comments, please email me
at:
huffmail@2geton.net
Beginning
Opponents face each other and bow.
One
opponent, further to be listed as “defense”, turns around to face in the same
direction as the other opponent, now to be known as “offense”.
Offense now calls for bow (“Rei!”) and then both move to a ready stance, right
foot forward, with their bows in ready position. Note: This stance is
slightly different than standard Seisan stance…in this case the rear foot is
turned outward 45 degrees…this is also known as “Fighting Seisan”. With
exception to where it is noted to use Seiunchin stance, this will be the stance
used during most of this kata.
***Instructions will now
be listed for “defense” first, and then listed for “offense”.***
Part One, Defense
The
first move in this kata is keyed by the offense by giving a “kiai!” shout. This
lets the defense know that the move has begun.
Defense turns 180 degrees at offense’s “kiai!”. This is done by raising the
left foot, and pivoting to your right, to end up in right foot fighting Seisan.
A vertical block is then immediately performed at the end of the movement.
(Offense is striking at your right middle.) Recover, no change in stance.
(Offense now performs a thrusting jab to mid-section.) As thrust approaches,
defense parries the thrust to their right with the end of their bow. This is
just a simple move to the right, not a rotating parry. Both recover and repeat.
(Offense strikes to your right knee) Defense will perform a vertical leg block.
(Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.). Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Both recover. Note: The first vertical block
here is the reverse of the leg block at the beginning of Tokumine and Urashi bo
katas. When the block for the other side is performed the hands are rotated 180
degrees.
(Offense strikes to your right, chest high) Defense will perform a vertical
block. (Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.) Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Both recover. Note: The block here and in the next
step is the standard vertical block used in Tokumine and Urashi bo katas.
(Offense strikes to your right, head high) Defense will perform a vertical
block. (Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.) Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Both recover.
Part Two, Defense
(Offense performs a low sweeping strike to the feet.) Defense jumps allowing the
strike to pass beneath the feet. As Defense lands. (Offense is now performing
an overhead strike)…an overhead block is performed. Both recover. Note: The
bo is parallel to floor in this block.
(Offense now performs a thrusting jab to mid-section.) As thrust approaches,
defense parries the thrust to their right with the end of their bow. This is
just a simple move to the right, not a rotating parry. Both recover and repeat.
(Offense strikes to your right knee) Defense will perform a vertical leg block.
(Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.) Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Both recover. Note: The vertical leg block
is more like the leg block at the beginning of Tokumine and Urashi bo katas, but
note that the hand positions are somewhat different…please consult your sensei.
(Offense strikes to your right, chest high) Defense will perform a vertical
block. (Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.) Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Both recover. Note: The block here and in the next
step is the standard vertical block used in Tokumine and Urashi bo katas.
(Offense strikes to your right, head high) Defense will perform a vertical
block. (Offense then immediately strikes the same to opposite side, after being
blocked.) Defense will perform another block for the opposite side, with
reversed hand positions. Note: The block here and in the next step is the
standard vertical block used in Tokumine and Urashi bo katas. Immediately
after performing this block, Defense will step in with left foot forward and
performs a side strike, without changing hand positions. (Offense will block
with “rifle-butt” block/strike from Tokumine bo kata.) Both recover.
(Offense again performs a thrusting jab to mid-section.) Defense will parry the
thrust to the right as in previous moves, then quickly switches stance to strike
end of the bo of Offense down and away, knocking it out of their hand.
Note: This strike occurs as Defense is changing foot positions. Defense
then performs a thrusting jab to the mid-section of Offense. Note: Defense
does not change hand positions on the bo during this block/strike move.
(Offense makes no move to block here, signifying defeat.)
Both
opponents now recover and move to bowing position. They bow to each other and
then in bow in the original starting position, signifying the end of the kata.
Part One, Offense
Offense performs “kiai!” to signify the beginning of the kata. Offense then
immediately performs a side strike, chest high. (Defense blocks.) Both recover.
Offense moves into Seiunchin stance and performs a thrusting jab. (Defense
parries.) Both recover and repeat.
Offense now strikes down at the right knee of Defense. (Defense blocks.)
Immediately after this block, Offense strikes the opposite knee. (Defense
blocks.) Both recover. Note: The first strike, to the right knee, comes over
and around the head, similar to the down strikes in Urashi bo kata. The second
strike just comes back around in the opposite direction.
Offense performs a side strike. (Defense blocks.) Immediately after this block,
Offense strikes the opposite side. (Defense blocks.) Both recover.
Offense performs a side strike, to the head. (Defense blocks.) Immediately after
this block, Offense strikes the opposite side. (Defense blocks.) Both recover.
Part Two, Offense
Offense now performs a low sweeping strike at the feet of Defense. (Defense
jumps over the attack.) Offense then moves directly to an overhead strike.
(Defense blocks.) Both recover.
Offense moves into Seiunchin stance and performs a thrusting jab. (Defense
parries.) Both recover and repeat.
Offense now strikes down at the right knee of Defense. (Defense blocks.)
Immediately after this block, Offense strikes the opposite knee. (Defense
blocks.) Both recover. Note: The first strike, to the right knee, comes over
and around the head, similar to the down strikes in Urashi bo kata. The second
strike just comes back around in the opposite direction.
Offense performs a side strike. (Defense blocks.) Immediately after this block,
Offense strikes the opposite side. (Defense blocks.) Both recover.
Offense performs a side strike, to the head. (Defense blocks.) Immediately after
this block, Offense strikes the opposite side. (Defense blocks, and then steps
forward to side strike.) As Defense steps forward, Offense steps back into
Seiunchin stance and performs a “rifle-butt” block/strike. Both recover.
Note: This block/strike is the same as the block/strike performed in Tokumine bo
kata, commonly called a “rifle-butt” strike.
Offense steps into Seiunchin stance and performs a thrust jab. (Defense
parries, and then steps in with a strike and knocks the bo from your right
hand.) Offense will keep the bo in the left hand, allowing it the front to fall
to the ground. (Defense then performs a thrusting jab to your mid-section.) No
block is made for this move, signifying you are defeated.
Both
opponents now recover and move to bowing position. They bow to each other and
then in bow in the original starting position, signifying the end of the kata.
