Th oar Eaku, Kai, ...etc. was often used in Okinawa. People did not carry an oar around. Many in Okinawa were fishermen. That is not surprising since Okinawa is an Island and surrounded by water. Many Okinawans also were poor and could not afford fancy weapons. They used what they had. You may find something related interesting. What is almost never heard of is the Gig or spear like pole that fishermen had and used like a Gaff. It was barbed on the end. Imagine getting your foot (or any part of your body) cut or stabbed with one of these. The germs and bacteria would be as bad or worse than the stab. There are stories of how agonizing it was for several days before the infection killed you. In Okinawan Karate Oar Kata can easily be found. Not sure about Japan, but I am not aware of any oar Kata in Japanese styles. If anyone is, I like to know what style is using it.
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Any weapon is nothing more then an extension of your body, and is only as useful as the practitioner, if you can use the eku it's a great weapon if you can't it is useless
You need to know how to use the weapon for it to be useful
Kabudo weapons are a matter of context, they were never about effectiveness in the way a weapon people would choose to go to war with should be. Kabudo weapons were a surprise response weapon, some people probably had the skills to duel with them (sai and bo both have extensive dueling history) but it wasn't their main purpose.
If somebody saw you walking down the road with oars slung over your shoulders they'd assume you were prepared for a day on the water, not prepared to hurt somebody and you'd be largely ignored or underestimated. The element of surprise counts for a lot in a fight and having somebody suddenly whack you with a solid piece of wood is going to stun you so bad it won't matter how effective it is in a 'fair' combat situation where your weapon's effectiveness becomes an issue, after all, how effective is a sword or spear when you're seeing three or four of your target and a lot of stars...
Weapons are tricky, the out come of most weapon match-ups depends on the people weilding them and what style they use.
But thats not too helpful so lets get some science.
If an Eku has mass (and judging by a quick google search id assume it does), and you can accelerate it fairly well (most likely youd be swinging with your grip at the very end) you will generate force.
(ma)=F
The oar was a means of transportation, back before steam engines and motor-powered (outboard) motors on boats.
When oars were weapons, per se, mankind as a whole rode horses, tilled the earth where they owned land, sailed the high seas with sail power, and knew not of fully auto or semi-auto guns!
Mankind, in terms of fighting in this bygone era, USED what was available, be it staffs, swords, bow and arrows, pole axes, pole spears, cross-bows, slings, maces, axes, etceteral, etc!
ANSWER:
Yes, they (oars) were good weapons THEN and can still be good weapons for martial artists today. Anything can be a good weapon if one trains with it wisely. Bruce Lee could kill a man with a pencil!
All non-edged two handed weapons suck. Best combo is espada y daga (sword and knife)
Nahh. I prefer my fists.
They're the only weapon that can fell Chuck Norris:
I'm referring to the Eku, one of the oldest martial art weapons. Would this be effective in combat? If so against what weapons? Info about the Eku? Thanks
