The
only martial arts weapon that I practice with is a cane. I practice
all the Taijiquan sword and broadsword forms that I know with a cane.
Every time I take a walk I carry my cane with me. Using various cane strikes and stretches while walking is an excellent way to exercise the upper torso.
I use an Instructor's Walking Cane, 40" (103 cm) long and 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter, from Cane Masters. This cane weights 1lb, 2 oz (510 gm). This beautiful martial arts combat cane is made of pure hickory heartwood, has multiple notches at three key gripping points, has a rounded hooked horn, and has a rubber covered tip. I also own the same Instructor's Walking Cane made of oak - a gift from my children.
Way of the Short Staff. By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S. A comprehensive guide to the practice of the short staff, cane, jo, walking stick, gun, zhang,
whip staff, 13 Hands Staff, and related wood short staff weapons. A
detailed and annotated guide, bibliographies, lists of links,
resources, instructional media, online videos, and lessons.
Includes use of the short staff and cane in martial arts, self-defense,
walking and hiking. Separate sections on Aikido Jo, Cane, Taijiquan
cane and staff, Jodo, exercises with a short staff, selected
quotations, techniques, selecting and purchasing a short staff, tips
and suggestions, and a long section on the lore, legends, and magick
of the short staff. Includes "Shifu Miao Zhang Points the Way."
Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan,
Red Bluff, California. Updated on a regular basis since October,
2008. Filesize: 265Kb. Related to Mike's popular webpage on the Staff.
"The
correct use of the bo (sai, tonfa, kama, naginata, sword) can produce a
stimulating and practical means of "extension" training. It offers a
means of martial arts training and discipline. Weapons training teaches
the meaning of control, timing, distance, and flexibility as one unit.
The practitioner is required to possess speed, coordination, strength,
and endurance in utilizing the respective weapons."
- History of the Bo Staff
- History of the Bo Staff
"The
jo can be used to strike like a sword, sweep like a naginata, thrust
like a spear (yari). Its two ends can be used, unlike the single point
of a sword, and its ma-ai (fighting distance) can be varied according to
the hand grip you take. Because of its speed and changeable ma-ai, it
is a formidable weapon."
- Muso Shindo-Ryu Jodo
- Muso Shindo-Ryu Jodo
"In
Chinese shamanism, a staff represents the power of the universe.
With a staff, a shaman had the power to pass on the universal knowledge
to others. Later, when teachers took over part of the shaman's job,
they always taught with a small staff in their hands like a shaman."
- Master Zhongxian Wu, Vital Breath of the Dao, p. 106
- Master Zhongxian Wu, Vital Breath of the Dao, p. 106
Zen
Master Hakuin (1686-1768) painted a Dragon Staff with a horsehair whisk
attached. He gave the above painting to a lay student who passed the
Zen koan, "What is the sound of one hand clapping."
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