Addendum to:Okinawan Villages: The hidden roots of Okinawan Kobudo and Tiy?

I didn't expect to be able to add very much to my original blog Okinawan Villages: The hidden roots of Okinawan Kobudo and Tiy?  anytime soon:  However, getting to chat to someone trained in Maeda-Ryu seems a worthwhile addition ☺  

The supporting material is that Maeda bo is actually taught as "bujitsu" as well as existing as the cultural bo-jutsu village dance.   This is taught by Tomimoto sensei as a functional system, with kata buried in it, though not widely taught.  There was also a Sai element, but this is no longer taught.  The style of Maeda Ryu was identified as being around possibly 600 years old.

Whilst this is not proof of age or origin, as there is no supporting documentary evidence, it does show that the functional side of Maeda bo actually exists.  

Source: Jesse Enkamp, student of Tomimoto sensei in Maeda Ryu (thank you Jesse-san) ☺