kato
n. countablen. a type of martial arts stick used for training and fighting. It is usually made of wood and is popular in some traditional fighting styles.
n. a wooden staff or stick used as a weapon in various traditional martial arts systems. Often refers specifically to the long staff used in Filipino martial arts or Japanese kobudo.
The student practiced his strikes with a wooden kato.
During the demonstration, the instructor showed how to block an incoming strike using a reinforced kato.
While modern practitioners often use synthetic materials for durability, traditionalists prefer a kato carved from heavy hardwood to maintain the authentic weight and balance required for classical forms.
Often used in the context of Southeast Asian or Japanese martial arts training.
Last updated May 11, 2026