Sand throws appear in the eccu (oar) kata and in some early bo kata. The eccu kata are said to be 600-800 years old which would date them around 1200 - 1400 A.D.
Mark Bishop in his book Zen Kobudo describes an Okinawan drawing dating from 1242:
For the eccu kata to have been preserved and survived so long in a historical sense suggests that the embodied techniques were effective.Close Observation of this drawing reveals that Okinawans of the time used "sabami [sampans] as war canoes, each with a square shield at the bow protecting an archer and paddled by a number of men using eku-type paddles like those seen in modern Kobudo and Te practice. Standing behind the archers are figures holding metal weapons in their right hands. This is a clear indication that at the time, approximately 1243, martial arts with well-made bladed weapons had developed into organized military arts....
Sand throws in the eccu kata are of three types.
1.) The blade of the oar is scooped into the sand, sea-water, shell mix and thrown underhand into the face of the assailant.
2.) As a prelude to a thrust with the weapon, one slides one's foot into the sand and with a lifting straight-legged kick, throws the sand into the face of the assailant.
3.) In the Shinpo Matoyoshi version, one graps a handful of sand and throws it in the face of the assailant in additon to methods 1 & 2.
In all three versions, the throw is followed by thrusts and/or pokes to the throat.
In the bo kata, the sand is thrown with a close to the foot underarm scooping motion and pitched into the on-rushing opponent's eyes. In Sakagawa No Kun dating probably from the early 1800's, the sunacocki sand throws have been also been used as groin strikes.
Given that Okinawan sand is probably a quite fine wet mixture of coral, shell and limestone, would sand throws work?
Would they work against a Samurai with a katana, defusing his attack long enough for an effective follow through with the oar or bo?
