Eku

 

Eku (sometimes spelled eiku or ieku) is an ancient weapon of Okinawan kobudō that originated from an oar, approximately 160 cm in length.

According to myth, the oar was traditionally adapted for use as a weapon of self-defense by fishermen against foes armed with more conventional weapons. In fact the Japanese had already conquered Okinawa and put their old officers to work teaching the commons some weaponry in order to put them first in line against a possible Chinese invasion.

However, since quality weapons were expensive, the civilians had to use what equipment they had; the Ryukyu oar (in Okinawa "eku" or "eiku") came to represent the naginata.