The Nunchaku is a traditional Okinawn martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks connected by one end by a short rope or chain.
The Nunchaku is a weapon that originated in Okinawa, Japan. The term nunchaku is from the Japanese Ryukyuan languages and was derived from a short Southeast Asian agricultural tool used for threshing rice or soybeans. The origin of the Ryukyuan word nunchaku likely originated from the Min Chinese word of “nng chat kun”. When Japanese warlords invaded Okinawa, they banned the use of other conventional weapons, and as a result, Okinawans learned kobudo and karate.
The nunchaku is most widely used in Southern Chinese Kung fu, Okinawan Kobudo and karate. It is intended to be used as a training weapon, since practicing with it enables the development of quick hand movements and improves posture. Modern nunchaku may be made of metal, plastic, or fiberglass instead of the traditional wood. Toy versions and replicas not intended to be used as weapons may be made of polystyrene foam or plastic. Possession of this weapon is illegal in some countries, except for use in professional martial arts schools.
