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future use
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Guardian Kobukumite is being superceded by Kobujitsu.
Guardian Kobukumite
"Ko" is implement or tool. "Bu" is war or stopping war. "Kumite" is sparring. "Kobukumite" means Weapon Sparring. Guardian Kobukumite, of course, is therefore "The Weapon Sparring of One Who Guards and Protects."
Training in Kobukumite makes use of Chanbara equipment, though we do not train by Chanbara rules. Chanbara is a sort of point fighting version of weapon combat that tends to utilize techniques that rely on the light weight of the weapons and use moves intended to win the sport rather than a fight. Guardian Kobukumites, by contrast, is training in more combat oriented fighting techniques for purposes of leaning the skills of actual combat - which we always use as a metaphor for problem solving.
Weapon Arts, such as Kendo, tend to get "weapon fixated." Weapon fixation simply means that people tend to forget that the weapon in their hand(s) is only one weapon available to them, forgetting that punching, kicking and other martial arts moves also are possible. Likewise, there is a tendency when defending to forget that more than just the weapon is a threat. We train to utilize and defend against many attacks.
Weapons
In 2003 and 2004, we will train primarily with the Sword. Students are not required to purchase their own weapons, but they are permitted to do so if they wish.
Equipment
Head protection is provided in class. Students should own or purchase a heavy weight uniform, a judo-style kimono being the preferred uniform for protection at full speed, full power fighting. Also, once full speed fighting and Weapon Freesparring (weapons with other martial arts moves added) are practiced, hand protection, groin protection, shin pads, sparring boots, and in some cases rib protection may be in order. No student is required to spar at this level.
Training
Training typically begins with warm up drills, stretching and talking, some sort of combat drill, and finishes with open matches.
Philosophy
Weapon arts are traditionally the most philosophical arts. The reason for this will be obvious to those who understand why ancient martial arts were so strongly rooted in philosophy and religion. Kobukumite, perhaps more than any class, works to help students understand the philosophy of the movement and its application to other areas of life.
When a student truly understands this, then all of life becomes a practice hall, and everything becomes a teacher. It sounds esoteric, even mystical, but it's actually simple psychology. As your mind learns to think about things at a different level, concepts we learn in one area can transform our actions in another. Principles are common and often become clearer in Kobukumite because of the level at which we may safely perform with our partner.
Program Coursebook
There is no program coursebook for Guardian Kobukumite. Eventually, there may be one, but Soke must first write the coursebooks for Little Guardians, Jr. Guardian Karate, Guardian Karate, Guardian Jujitsu, Guardian Kobujitsu and Guardian Kempo. Considering that those books will likely involve nearly 2,000 pages of writing, it is unlikely that a Guardian Kobukumite coursebook will be developed soon. Check his progress from time to time. By 2005 he may be getting around to one!