Buki is a broad umbrella term in the martial arts that means “weapons.” It includes mêlée weapons such as the 剣 (ken) – sword; 刀 (katana) – single-edged sword; 槍 (yari) – spear; 薙刀 (naginata) – glaive; 棍 / 棒 (kon / bō) – staff; 鎖鎌 (kusarigama) – chain-sickle; 十手 (jitte) – truncheon. Projectile weapons include 弓 (yumi) – bow; 銃 (jū) – gun (modern usage); 投げ物 (nagemono) – thrown weapons, shuriken, bo-shuriken, etc. Other weapons include the 分銅鎖 (fundō-kusari) – weighted chain; 扇 (ōgi/sensu) – war fan; and 石 (ishi) – stones (historically counted as weapons).
Any weapon intended for combat would be included in the term buki. It is used in koryū, budō, police manuals, and military texts. In modern Japanese it means any weapon, from knives to guns to missiles. In the martial arts, buki commonly refers to a bokken, jo, or tanto.
Translation
武 (buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More) – martial, warlike, relating to combat. From the ancient idea of 止 + 戈 (“stop spear”), meaning to restrain violence through force.
器 (ki) – tool, instrument, implement. Also used in terms like 道具 (dōgu) = tools/equipment.
武器 (buki) – martial tool.
Related Terms
Heiki 兵器 — weapons of war, military hardware (guns, tanks, missiles).
Bugu 武具 — weapons + armor set (equipment of a warrior).
Budōnin 武道人 sometimes uses 武器 vs. 素手 (sude) — weapons vs empty hand.
Bukijutsu 武器術 — weapon skill
Buki KeikoKeiko 稽古 means practice or training through the study and transmission of classical tradition; literally “to reflect on the past.” More 武器稽古 — weapons training
Buki No Mochikata 武器の持ち方 — weapon handling
In English, the word “weapon” includes the idea of intent but buki is more neutral. It’s simply “a martial tool,” regardless of moral judgment.
List of Weapons
- Bō 棒
- A long staff weapon, traditionally about 6 shaku (1.8 m) in length. Used with both hands. Also called rokushaku-bō (六尺棒).
- Bokken / Bokutō — 木剣 / 木刀
- A wooden training sword used in kenjutsu, aikidōAikidō is a Japanese martial art that blends with an opponent’s force to control and throw them without relying on strength. More, and iaidō practice.
- Hanbō 半棒
- A “half staff,” typically about 3 shaku (90 cm) long. Used in jūjutsu and classical weapon systems.
- Hō 砲
- A firearm or artillery weapon. In a martial context, refers to a gun or cannon.
- Jō 杖
- A medium-length staff, usually around 4 shaku 2 sun (approx. 128 cm). Common in Shintō Musō-ryū and aikidōAikidō is a Japanese martial art that blends with an opponent’s force to control and throw them without relying on strength. More weapon training.
- Jūken 銃剣
- A bayonet; a blade attached to a rifle to convert it into a thrusting spear weapon.
- Jutte/Jitte 十手
- A truncheon-like metal weapon used by Edo-period police. Designed for controlling, trapping, and disarming swords without killing.
- Katana 刀
- A curved, single-edged Japanese sword. The standard battlefield and dueling weapon of the samurai class.
- Ken 剣
- A straight or double-edged sword. Often refers more generally to bladed weapons, especially in classical or religious usage.
- Naginata 薙刀
- A polearm with a curved blade mounted on a long shaft. Historically used by samurai and warrior monks.
- Shinai 竹刀
- A bamboo training sword used in kendō, designed for safe practice.
- Shuriken 手裏剣
- A concealed throwing blade or spike. Used historically for distraction, harassment, or precise short-range attacks.
- Tanbō 短棒
- A short stick weapon (under 1 meter). Used for joint manipulation, striking, and controlling techniques.
- Tantō 短刀
- A short dagger, usually between 15–30 cm. Used for stabbing and close-range fighting.
- Yari 槍/鎗/鑓
- A spear weapon. The most common form is 槍. Used extensively on samurai battlefields.
- Yumiya 弓矢
- Bow and arrow. Refers to traditional Japanese archery weapons.
