Nunchaku
The nunchaku, also called "nunchucks," "chain sticks," "chucks," "nunchukkas," or "num(b)chuks" in English, is a traditional weapon of the Kobudo weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. Although the certain origin of nunchaku is disputed, it is thought to come from China through the Japanese island of Okinawa. The Japanese word nunchaku itself comes from the Hokkien word nng-chiat-kun(no-chiat kun). When viewed etymologically from its Okinawan roots, nun comes from the word for twin, and chaku from shaku, a unit of measurement. The popular belief is that the nunchaku was originally a short flail used to thresh rice or soybeans (that is, separate the grain from the husk). It is also possible that the weapon was developed in response to the moratorium on edged weaponry under the Satsuma daimyo after invading Okinawa in the 17th century, and that the weapon was most likely conceived and used exclusively for that end, as the configuration of actual flails and bits are unwieldy for use as a weapon. Also, peasant farmers were forbidden conventional weaponry such as arrows or blades so they improvised using only what they had available, farm tools such as the sickle. The modern weapon would be an ineffective flail. Another popular theory is that the nunchaku originated from China, Song Dynasty. It was named "da pan long gun", meaning great coiled dragon stick. The weapon is composed of one long stick and a short stick connected by horse hair. It was commonly used in wars against cavalry to trap horse legs. The weapon eventually evolved into a short range weapon as seen in our present day nunchaku. The nunchaku as a weapon has surged in popularity since marital artist Bruce Lee used it in his movies in the 1970s. It is generally considered by martial artists to be a limited weapon, although it is also one of the least understood weapons. Complex and difficult to wield, the nunchaku lacks the range of the bo (quarterstaff) and the edged advantage of a sword. It is also prone to inflicting injury on its user.
|
 |
||
|
|
||
 |
||