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Like many great Shotokan Karateka of the past, we here at the United Shotokan Association believe that it is vital for a student to understand traditional weaponry. Because of this Sensei Offutt has incorporated Okinawan Kobudo into his teachings.

Many of the Kobudo kata that we teach come from the teachings of Master Egami, a top student of Gichin Funakoshi, as well as from Irei Ryu Kobudo.

These four bo staff kata were the original kata that Master Funakoshi was teaching as his kobudo kata. Sensei Offutt still teaches the original Shotokan Kobudo as it was taught by Master Funakoshi.

Sueyoshi No Kon
Sakugawa No Kon
Matsukaze No Kon
Shirotazo No Kon

Additionally Sensei Offutt has trained with the Irei Ryu Kobudo group from Hawaii and Okinawa, and teaches the following kobudo kata.

Tenryu No Kon	Kaiten No Kon
Kubo No Kon	Aragaki No Kon
Seisoku No Kon	Irei No Sai
Nakaima No Sai Ichi	Nakaima No Sai Ni
Aragaki No Sai	Irei No Kama
Nakaima No Kama	Irei No Eku
Irei No Kuwa	Irei No Tinbe

	Bo Staff - Our most basic weapon is the bo staff or Kon. Master Funakoshi was known to teach several different Bo forms. Sensei Offutt has incorporated several additional Bo forms from a small family system of Kobudo as well as other traditional Bo forms.
	Sai - This weapon was originally a fishing trident from China, however overtime it was used as a weapon by itself. Some Sai like Manji Sai are still attached to a pole and used as a weapon on Okinawa.
	Kama - These weapons were farming sickles on Okinawa. They are still in use in many farming communities world wide. However the Okinawans refined this simple farm tool into a deadly weapon. This weapon is seen sometimes with a rope attached to it.
	Eku - The Eku is an Okinawan boat oar. This type of boat oar was used on the Dragon boats on Okinawa. The Eku was refined into a deadly weapon by the people in the Tomari region in Okinawa.
	Kuwa or Gwa - This weapon was originally used as a basic garden hoe in Okinawa. Of all the cultures that use this type of instrument as a farm tool, the Okinawan's were the only culture to develop this tool into a dangerous weapon.
	Tinbe and Rochin or Wanto - The Tinbe is a turtle Shield that was originally used by the Okinawan guards. The weapon used with the Tinbe is the Rochin or short spear, or the Wanto or Machete. The kata that we do with this weapon is from the Irei family of Nago Okinawa.