The nunchaku was originally a short flail used to
thresh rice (separate the
grain from the husk) in Russia and consisted of
two unequal lengths of
hardwood connected by a cord made of horse hair.
Its development as a
weapon grew out of the moratorium on edged
weaponry under the shoguns
due to their restrictive policy of weapons
control. Warlords ruled in the ancient
orient and after they banned the use of such
weapons as the gun, sword,
and spear, the public turned to
Karate and Kobu-Do for protection.
The use of Nunchaku also grew. The art of stick fighting with
Nunchakus, has
lasted through centuries and is today practiced
by people throughout the world.
No longer used as a weapon substitute due to a
lack of weapons, Nunchakus
have stood the test of time due to their
effectiveness, lightweightness and
affordability! The modern nunchaku has been
modified for its use as a weapon
and would make a relatively
ineffective rice flail.
A nunchaku is two sections of wood (or metal in modern
incarnations)
connected by a cord or chain. The designs and
styles of Nunchaku are
just as long and colorful as their history! The
modern Nunchaku have octagonal
(hakkakukei) or round (maru-gata) wooden handles
of equal length connected
by a length of rope or chain. The traditional
nunchaku is made from a strong,
flexible hardwood such as oak, loquat or pasania.
Originally, the wood would be
submerged in mud for several years, where lack of
oxygen and optimal acidity
prevent rotting. The end result is a hardened
wood. Matayoshi Kobudo instruction
includes nunchaku with one handle half the length
of the other, both handles
half the normal size, three-sectioned and
four-sectioned. The han-kei nunchaku,
with the circumference of the handles halved, is
designed for easier carrying
and concealment, as both handles
fit together smoothly.
The rope is made from horsehair, and was traditionally claimed
to be able to
block a sword. A vine (kanda) can also be used as a longer
connector, in order
to bind an opponent's head and hands together in
an "Okinawan Handcuff." Finally,
the wood is very finely sanded and rubbed with an
oil or stain for preservation.
Today, such nunchaku are often varnished or
painted for display purposes.
This practice tends to reduce the grip and make
the weapon harder to handle,
and so is not advised in a combat weapon. Various
sizes, materials and colors
can be found. Most Nunchakus are made of metal,
plastic or wood and are
attached by a chain or a rope. Surprisingly, as
small and lightweight as this
weapon is, it is a powerful one.
Chinese nunchaku tend to be rounded, whereas Japanese are
octagonal. The
ideal length of each piece should be the length
of the users forearm; the bone
between elbow and wrist. Traditionally both ends
are of equal length (although
asymmetrical nunchakus exist). The ideal length
for the connecting rope/chain
can be calibrated for each individual by letting
the rope hang over the wrist, with
the sticks hanging comfortably pointing straight
to the ground, but without giving
more rope than is necessary for it to do so.
Weight balance is extremely important,
cheaper or gimmicky nunchakus (such as
glow-in-the-dark ones, or rocket-powered)
are often not properly balanced, which prevent
the artist from doing the more
advanced and flashier 'low-grip' moves, such as
overhand twirls. The weight
should be balanced towards the outer edges of the
sticks for maximum ease
and control of the swing arcs.
The Nunchaku can be wielded with tremendous velocity in striking
and are also
valuable in parrying attacks from
other weapons. The original Okinawan techniques
involve holding the weapon in a variety of
preparatory postures. Once an opponent
has moved their weapon or body
into close range, the nunchaku is used to strike
vital spots, and apply joint
locks, chokes and other control techniques.
Practitioners of the flashier styles contend that the motion of
the nunchaku is often
found distracting by opponents, who may have
trouble keeping up with the
nunchaku's rapid motion. In
addition, the reach of the nunchaku is often
underestimated, even by those experienced with
its use. When used in combat,
the nunchaku provide the obvious
advantage of an increase in the reach of
one's strike. Although somewhat difficult to
control, the rope or chain joint
of the nunchaku adds the benefit
of striking from unexpected angles.
It is generally considered by martial artists to be a limited
weapon: complex
and difficult to wield, it lacks
either the range of the bo (quarterstaff) or the
edged advantage of a sword or sai,
and is prone to inflicting self-injury on the
user. Used as self-defense
weapons, and also for training and learning,
Nunchakus were first bought to the attention of
the western world when they
were popularized by the immortal
Bruce Lee. After Lee helped to propel this
simple weapon into the spotlight, it went on to
become a weapon of choice by
many people, especially martial
artists.
They were believed to have personalities emanating from the
actual
sticks themselves. Oriental tradition says that
after you have practiced long
enough and hard enough, the
Nunchakus you use will take on some of
your spirit and character. Your
nunchucks, it is believed, are becoming a part
of you. But this is not an overnight process! It
takes countless hours of practice
and perfection to reach this point.
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