Martial Art Weapons
Page 17 of 19
Types of staffs:
- Maru-bo: round shape
- Kaku-bo: four sided shape
- Rokkaku-bo: six sided shape
- Hakkaku-bo: eight sided shape
- Take-bo: bamboo
- Yari: spear shape
- Naginata: long sword shape
- Kai: Oar shape
The bo staff, because of its length, was not a weapon for close-in fighting. Rather it was used to defend one's self from outside the opponent's attack zone. It is also most useful in relatively open spaces and is best used when both hands manipulate its use.