Martial Arts World

If you can do a search on the various kinds of weapons that are used in Martial Arts, you would be surprised by the outcome of you search. There are a numerous kinds of martial weapons that are in use today by different styles of the Martial Arts. Since each style differs from each other slightly, many but not all styles have adopted its own way of using different weapons. Some of the weapons that are now in use are Nunchaks, Kubotan, Bo staff, Swords, Escrima sticks, Kamas, Tonfa, Shinai, SAi, Wood Ccane, Chinese Kwan Da Sword, Three Section Staff, Wooden Swords and the list goes on.

Nunchuks

Another of the martial weapons, the Nunchuks are a pair of wooden batons made of wood. These are normally one foot in length. A small chain or rope runs between them connecting one baton to the other. Nunchuks are not easy to operate by novices. It requires familiarization with the moves and grips. The grip change is the vital key in operating the nunchuks. When you move a baton over the head, it makes the second baton come over the opposite shoulder rather than to the back of the neck.

Kubotan

Kubotan can be referred to in many ways, such as a pocket stick, a mini-stick, a self defense key chain and many others. The weapon looks very simple in appearance, and very inexpensive to obtain. It is just a simple rod made of plastic, metal or wood. It runs up to a length of 6 inches. According to the name, it generally has a key ring attached at one end of the rod. It is a self defense weapon that is pretty easy to learn and use. It can be used even by a person who hasn’t even mastered it to bring the opponent down to his knees in seconds.

Shinai

Shinai or bamboo swords are used in the Kendo, a Japanese style of Martial Arts. The Shinai is about four feet in length. These are made out of bamboo slats. Four selected bamboo slats are brought together and bound so that they form a hollow cylinder. Along the length of the shinai, a cord is made to run meeting the exact legth of the shinai. To make an effective strike, the player must strike with side opposite the cord and it should strike with the top third of shinai.

Naginta

Naginta is a type  that derives its name after a weapon which has a rich history, refined and utilized up until today from the period of Naras. Naginta is a weapon with an oval shaft. The length of the oval shaft ranges between 5” to 8” depending upon the circumstances and personal requests. It has one edged sword sharpened on one side which contribute to the most striking feature of the weapon.

The Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Kama, Eku and other weapons are used in the “kobodu” style of the Arts. The Bo is a six foot staff while Nunchaku is a two section staff. Sai is a short sword. Tonfa—a side handled baton and Kama—is a sickle. Remember it is not Marshal Arts, it is Martial Arts. Say it with pride. For more on the history of karate and kung fu fighting, please see the articles on the home page.