Arizona Martial Artists Learn Martial Arts Weapons

Torii gate to Shinto shrine in Japan (photo courtesy of Heather From).  

It was brutal - well, not really, but during exams for Seiyo hanbojutsu certifications at the Arizona Hombu in Mesa, Arizona, those martial artists testing for certification had a great time demonstrating their abilities to fend off armed and unarmed attackers.

Following the tests, a group of martial artists from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe were certified in hanbojutsu by Soke Hausel, grandmaster of Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo.

Sensei Paula Borea defends hanbo grab by Sensei Bill Borea. In back-
ground, Scott Pritchett defends against Adam Bialek.

Sensei Thadd Barrowes from the Utah Shorin-Kai applies ashi barai (Foot sweep) to Sensei Bill Borea at the Arizona
Hombu in Mesa during annual Arizona-Utah clinic taught by Soke Hausel.

Ouch! Sensei Bill Borea smashes toes of Ryan Harden
during hanbo training at the Arizona Hombu.

Members of the Arizona Hombu in Mesa test for certification in Hanbojutsu in Mesa Arizona. L-R Sensei Ryan Harden,
Adam Bialek, Ben Moeur, Sensei Patrick Scofield, Sensei Bill Borea, Sensei Scott Pritchett, Sarah, and Gavin Skarphol

Arizona & Utah Martial Artists train in Samurai Arts in Mesa, Arizona

Members from the Utah Shorin-Kai Karate Club in Murray Utah and from the Arizona School of Traditional Karate in Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler, Arizona, trained in Hanbojutsu techniques using a 3 foot stick at the Arizona Hombu in Mesa. The annual clinic was taught by Soke (Grandmaster) Hausel between April 12th to 14th, 2012. The clinic included training in Shorin-Ryu Karate and also iaido (sword) and kenjutsu (samurai sword applications).

Application of ago senage with hanbo

Ryan trains with Shihan Adam

Hanbo (Half-Staff) Clinic At Arizona School of Traditional Karate in 2012

One of many Okinawa/Japanese weapons taught to students at the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu is hanbo (half-bo). People from Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler of the east valley of Phoenix in travel to the Arizona Hombu to learn these many weapons. The hanbo is a great weapon to learn as it can be used for devastating blocks, strikes, pressure point activation and restraints. This classical Japanese weapon has been taught in classes at the Hombu, as well as to members of Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai at various clinics around the world.