Bo (Chion)

Holding the bo, whether a single movement or a series of complex combinations, Almost all bo-jitsu executions demand clutching the bo with the basic grip (almost similar to making a fist).

Basic Holds

Execution of bo-jitsu techniques requires familiarity with four basic holding positions:

1.) Jun Nigeri (basic hold)

2.) Gyaku Nigeri (reverse hold)

3.) Yose Nigeri (double hold)

4.) Hasami Nigeri (palm hold)

Of course the basic execution when doing bo kata is the overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) and the upward strike (uchi-age) a nice combination.  The most basic strikes in all the five bo kata (in World Oyama Karate) are the overhead strike and the two handed lunge thrust (morote tsuki-komi). The overhead strike seems to get lost as to its execution and students do not keep their hand grip on the bo as they perform these katas. This feeling and awareness needs to be developed kinesthetically (familiarity with the holding and maneuvering of the bo).

Weapons are but an extension of the body, if your basics are pure so will be the execution of your weapons.  The overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) , while moving in zen kutsu dachi, is critically important. We begin by learning to raise the bo overhead while in zen kutsu dachi stance.  The bo is held on either right or left side, the hand near the hip  moves out and straight up (no forward or backward motion) and as it rotates up.  The forward hand also moves straight up and slightly to the outside. As both hands reach the overhead position (hopefully at the same time) the fingers open and the palms remain in contact with the bo. When the bo is directly overhead the bo rests  on the web between the thumb and forefingers, thumbs facing forward. The bo should be level with the floor and pointing straight ahead. Looking straight into a mirror only the tip of the bo should be visible. Practice this movement until you can position the bo without looking, it is not as easy as it sounds and will take a lot of practice. In order to complete the overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) we must first move the hands into position. Before starting the downward strike the grip must be changed so that the thumbs of both hands face backwards. Do not try and change the grip of the hands simultaneously, do change the grip one hand at a time. I suggest that you reverse the grip on the hand to the rear first. Bend the wrist so that the bo rests on the palm of the hand nearest the back of the bo now rotate the palm under the bo until the bo can be gripped by the closed hand with thumb facing backward, leave the rear hand open. The hand nearest the front of the bo is rotated in the same manner except when the thumb is in position the forward hand is closed. Now strike down by pushing with the open hand at the back of the bo and pulling with the closed hand at the front of the bo. The open hand closes before the bo makes contact with the target.

Example: The Katana while held in hands in a fighting stance the front hand (top hand) forcefully pushes down while the bottom hand flicks the wrist to apply a power smooth cut.

So until you can control the overhead strike as stated above to insure that you become more proficient, increase your speed of execution but continue to maintain smoothness in your movements will insure maximum results.

We are assuming you know basic bo one and two. Chion Kata is a "mokuso" kata. We have discussed openings in Mokuso Katas with or without weapons. Some Mokuso katas require full ibuki breathing and proper foot placement from msuba dachi. The bo katas are going to require the same intensity when opening, such as speed, alacrity, and movement with the bo that shows you have command of the weapon, first moves in katas are a "tell tale sign" of someone's expertise with the weapon. A big first move is essential as the student makes the yoi ready swing of the bo over his or her head in a big circle.

1. Chion bo kata, starts to your right, look, step into right zen kutsu dachi, do overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) to opponent's head with the bo coming down on the right side and then do a lunge thrust to opponent's head (morote jodan tsuki komi) keeping the bo on  the right side.

2. Pull right foot back to right ko kutsu dachi (deep ko), open your hands gripping the bo between thumbs and forefingers palms facing down, push forward with the right hand and pull back with the left hand until bo is in a vertical attitude.

Comment: Next move requires a 180 degree turn to your left side while you keep a low center line not coming up during the turn. This is where many students lose control of the bo and cannot maintain their center line of attack. They cannot smoothly make this transition without looking "sloppy". This 180 degree turn requires good control of the bo for the next moves, overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) and lunge thrust (morote jodan tsuki komi), ending with a vertical block holding the bo in palm hold (hasami nigeri).

3. While in ko and blocking (refer to move 2) look over your left shoulder and before turning move your left foot to the right and position it so that when you turn around (180 degrees) you are in left zen kutsu dachi, as soon as your left foot is in position turn around (mawate). As you turn raise the bo to the overhead position. Now do overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) to opponent's head keeping the bo on your left side. Then execute lunge  thrust to opponent's head (morote jodan tsuki-komi).

4. Pull left foot back to left ko kutsu dachi (deep ko), open your hands gripping the bo between thumbs and forefingers palms facing down, push forward with the left hand and pull back with the right hand until bo is in a vertical attitude.

5. Look right and prepare to start down the "H" pattern as we describe it. Keeping your belt level the same height and not rising up, Turn and step left foot forward Fumi ashi into left zen kutsu dachi and execute two handed down block (morote gedan uke) keep bo level with ground. Now bring bo to chudan level against chest and then extend bo out and up for upward block (morote jodan uke). Observe that the bo is held in the "basic hold" (right palm down left palm up).

6. Note bo while being held in morote-jodan-uke, the next move requires turning horizontally to the left by moving right hand from right to left and bring the left hand to overhead position stopping at centerline (change hold from basic to reverse). Now perform overhead strike to opponent's head with the bo ending on your right side. The last technique is lunge thrust to opponent's head (morote jodan tsuki-komi). All lunge thrusts are gyaku with powerful kia.

7.  Step right foot forward into right zen kutsu dachi and morote gedan uke, bring bo to chudan level, and do morote jodan uke. Again keeping bo parallel to the floor.

8. Rotate bo overhead by moving left hand forward (don't drop tip of bo) and bring right hand back to stop above head, Hand holds will change as required. Back hand is palm hold and front hand overhand hold.  Bo should be parallel to floor and pointing straight ahead. Now do overhead strike (uchi-otoshi) and immediately follow with lunge thrust (morote jodan tsuki-komi) strong and powerful kia.