Bando Cane System origins are in the Hypu Monk Staff systems of Northern Burma during the 3rd to 6th centuries AD.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s three lay teachers and descendants of the ancient Hypu served in the intelligence sections of the U.S. OSS 101 and the British Special Operations Executive.
They modified the system to train western intelligence officers serving with allied forces in the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II.
Saya Bo Lin repeatedly said: “An innocent looking cane, considered in every culture to be an aid to the sick, weak, disabled, crippled, blind or aged, can become a lethal weapon.”
The cane moves with split second speed, travels on different paths and strikes different targets on the opponent’s body.
A blow to the head can shatter the skull, a blow to the spine can disable for life, a blow to the fingers, wrists, arms or legs can cause compound fractures.
The cane is a ‘weapon of deception’ creating illusion, giving no chance for the attacker to attack or the defender to defend.
Today, Bando addresses three functions of the cane for self protection:
- Maintaining distance from the opponents.
- Use speed to defend against a knife, dagger, stick, sword, bayonets.
- Multiple opponents are fought using a 360 degree defense.
