Eku

An 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. When the Japanese had conquered Okinawa, their old officers taught commoners weapons use as a first line of defense against a possible Chinese invasion. Since quality weapons were expensive, the civilians had to use what equipment they had; the Ryukyu oar (in Okinawa "eku" or "eiku") came to be used in place of the naginata.

Example of an oak eku 72" long with closeup of round end and ridged spine on top side

Usually before learning eku properly, one has to master the bo. The eiku has a displaced center of gravity and is heavier than the bo. It is thus considered more difficult to master. Because of its weight, eku techniques often capitalize on the momentum of large circular attacks.

The eku was loosely referenced in Chrono Cross, a 2000 video game for the Sony PlayStation, wherein the main character of the game used an ornate, double-ended eku as a weapon.