Use of the Kubotan self-defense keychain as a model for the use of everyday items for self-defense
Website design By BotEap.comOne of the key elements that separates the ninja’s methods of self-protection, including the study of weapons such as the Kubotan self defense keychain, of many other approaches to self defense training is the concept of “strategic thinking”. And one of the ways this important mindset manifests itself is through the ability to see through the “shape” to what is really going on.
Website design By BotEap.comIn the case of weapons training, the aspiring Ninja works to view any particular weapon, not as a specific weapon limited to a certain form and function, but as a model for the use of any other weapon or object of similar shape and size. An example of this might be seeing a knife as not just a knife, but a sword with an extremely short blade. Or “see” a staff or short stick weapon as a blunt sword. Of course, these things are what they are, but his alternate “sight” allows the Ninja warrior to expand his knowledge and options, and to use the weapon in a way that confuses and surprises his attacker. It also greatly expands the number of techniques and options available to the Ninja.
Website design By BotEap.comIn a recent seminar that I gave, focused on the use of Kubotan self-defense keychain, the students were able to see first-hand how this strategy works in the real world. After learning some basic techniques with the current Kubotan weapon, my students were shown a variety of everyday items that could be used as substitutes for the actual “official” weapon.
Website design By BotEap.comThe students found items as common and easy to find as:
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Website design By BotEap.com…and even parts of other weapons like a…
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Website design By BotEap.com7. Weight of a kusari-fundo ‘chain weapon’
Website design By BotEap.comThey could all be called into service in many of the same ways as the little gun they were learning to use.
Website design By BotEap.comIt is this concept of seeing the “universality of technique and application” that gives the Ninja practitioner seemingly magical abilities, not just when using a weapon like the Kubotanbut in all areas, that sets them apart from the conventional tactics, techniques, and strategies used by most fighters, martial artists, and self-defense students.