# Kato

/ˈkeɪtoʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kato
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the context of Southeast Asian or Japanese martial arts training.

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