Eku (Oar)

The eku is one of the lesser-known Okinawan weapons. It is obviously based on the common oar used throughout the Ryukyu islands. It can be used in a manner very similar to the  bo, thrusting and striking one's opponent. because of its heavier mass and bladed edges, it has formidible sriking power when used in cutting motions. It has one other unique property - it can be used to scoop sand at the opponent's eyes!

The OKCD practices two eku katas.  One is named  Tsuken Aka Chu No Eku De that Brian McCauley Sensei and Ilene Smoger Sensei learned from Ron Lindsey Sensei. The other one is an Eku form that the Shorinkan dojos practice. It is simply called Eku Kata which Smoger Sensei learned from Kyoshi Kevin Roberts at the International Martial Arts Symposium in South Carolina.