Usually a wooden staff, the bo (staff in Japanese) was made of hardwood and about 6 feet in length. The hand size of the wielder determined the diameter, yet it usually ranged from one to two inches. Possible shapes ranged from being straight tip to tip, or sometimes tapered, a tournament crowd favorite. It when practicing in the dojo though, whilst doing striking and blocking practice, a stronger, heavier bo most efficient when trying to strengthen wrists and shoulders as the blows of the bo are much more powerful.
Boy wielding a staff in competition
