Nunchaku martial art weapon

Information on the Nunchaku - Martial Arts
Weapon
Nunchaku (or Nunchucks) is a traditional martial
arts weapon from Okinawa/Japan. It consists of
two short batons connected together by a chain
or rope. History has it that Nunchaku were
developed from farming tools used to thresh
rice.
In traditional Japanese/Okinawan
NunchakuJutsu , the Nunchaku is held towards
the bottom of the weapon in order to take
advantage of the weapons reach. However, some
Chinese styles and freestyle techniques
advocates hold the Nunchaku closer to the top
of the baton. The primary function of the
Nunchaku is striking vulnerable target areas of
the body (temple, wrists, elbows, knees etc).
Like all Kobudo weapons, the effectiveness of
Nunchaku relies primarily on Tai Sabaki
(footwork and evasive techniques). As well as
strikes, the Nunchaku is also used to block and
trap offensive maneuvers from oncoming attacks
from other weapon wielding opponents.
The batons on Nunchaku are traditionally around
12 inches in length with around 4 inches of cord
or chain connecting them. There are also 8 inch
versions that have a slightly longer cord or chain
but the overall length of the Nunchaku more or
less remains the same. The batons on Nunchaku
are usually round or octagonal. The octagonal
variety have a much greater possibility of
splitting the skin (both of the opponent or the
handler… if you are not proficient with the
weapon). It is highly advisable for all beginners
of Nunchaku to use foam or safety Nunchaku
because they are perhaps the most notorious
weapon for self injury to beginners! However,
with correct instruction and practice, the
Nunchaku is a devastating weapon. No wonder,
the Nunchaku is perhaps the most iconic martial
arts weapon of all.
Muge Nunchaku
Some Kobudo practitioners and historians dispute
the popular rice flail theory as the origins of the
Nunchaku, and the second most popular theory
is that the Muge (the traditional Horses bit) is
the origin of the weapon. Muge Nunchaku are
slightly curved, with flatter edges (more square
as opposed to round or octagonal), there is a
pronounced hump toward the centre of the inner
curve, the overall shape of the staves are
designed to fit either side of a Horses face.
Muge Nunchaku are still used by some Kobudo/
Nunchakujutsu practitioners and though the
techniques are basically the same, some of the
techniques are more difficult to execute owing to
the asymmetrical shape of Muge staves.
Hyoshigi
Another contender for the origin of the Nunchaku
is the Hyoshigi. The Hyoshigi is a traditional
Japanese percussive instrument consisting of
two rectangular wooden blocks attached by a
length of cord. They were traditionally carried by
night watchmen and fire men in ancient Japan
and used as an alarm.
A new sport form of Nunchaku was developed in
the Netherlands in the mid 80's known as
Nunchaku Do. The combatants in this sport use
safety Nunchaku and wear padded head guards.
The object of the sport is to score points with
strikes to the head or body while evading the
opponents strikes. The ultimate technique in
Nunchaku do is to snatch away the opponents
Nunchaku with your own.
For information on other traditional martial arts
weapons, please visit the main Martial Arts
Weapons section. For more on Nunchaku kata,
please visit Nunchaku Jutsu .