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WABUKAN Arsenal · Flexible weapons · Okinawa

Nunchaku

Two sticks joined by a cord or chain. An Okinawan kobudo weapon, it became famous around the world through Bruce Lee's films in the 1970s.

Nunchaku
Nunchaku WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

ヌンチャク · nunchiyaku; sōsetsukon (Chinese two-section staff)

Origin and history

The nunchaku is part of Okinawan kobudō; its origin is debated (a flail for grain or a horse bit are common theories) and it has relatives in China. Bruce Lee’s films in the early 1970s made it world famous, and some countries then restricted it.

Martial arts that use it

Okinawan Kobudo Jeet Kune Do

Construction

Two sticks of about 30 cm, round or octagonal, joined at one end by a cord (himo) or chain. Training versions are made of foam or plastic.

Basic techniques

Training

Flexible weapons are learned slowly with foam, rope or rubber versions: first the swings and wraps around the body, then changes of hand and stops, and only later strikes at a target. They punish mistakes on the user first, so speed comes last.

Safety

Start with soft versions, wear eye protection and keep a wide empty circle around you. Check chains, cords and joints before each session: a part that breaks mid-swing becomes a projectile.

Legality (general information)

Sticks, staffs and other impact or flexible weapons are ordinary objects in some countries and restricted weapons in others (several European countries, for example, regulate nunchaku, batons or weighted chains). Carrying one in public without a good reason can be an offence even where owning it is legal. Transport it in a bag and use it in the training hall. This is general information, not legal advice: check local law.

Did you know?

There is a modern sport version with padded nunchaku, with its own international federations and point fighting.

More weapons

Manrikigusari Meteor hammer Rope dart Nine-section chain whip Three-section staff Urumi

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Nunchaku
  2. Wikipedia — Okinawan kobudō