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Did European sailors or missionaries have a hand in encouraging the adoption of the flail as a concealable peasant weapon?
The points that raised this question were...
· The name Nunchaku was borrowed from the Chinese language to describe the new weapons.
· The claimed origin of the device is undetermined and highly disputed, with claims of either a grain flail, a horse bridle, or a percussion instrument used for music and signaling.
· No known historic traditional Kata recorded for Nunchaku survive.
· Lack of available historical Asian illustrations depicting short equal length rod Nunchaku, or Nunchaku weapon use. I am currently still looking for verifiable sources of historical pictures of Okinawa/Japanese Nunchaku, preferably with rods of an equal length, and predating the arrival of Europeans in Japan.
The flail was a popular symbol in European religious art, and had been used by religious fanatics in battles as an inexpensive weapon (see for example Hussite wars 1420 to circa 1434). Flails were popular in Europe as a quick and cost effective means to arm peasant uprisings.
European flails included designs with rods of equal matching length. These matched pairs of rods came in sizes that included both large full man height rods, and smaller arm length Rods.
See these pictures for examples of such European flail styles
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battage_%C3%A0_Fl%C3%A9au.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3-piantagione,Taccuino_Sanitatis,_Casanatense_4182..jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tacuinum_Sanitatis-threshing.jpg
Threshing grain shown on Stain glass window in Chartres cathedral http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/France/Chartres/Zodiac_Window/ImagesB_Cancer_to_Capricorn/800/Aug-Sept07-DE6804sAR800.jpg
http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/08/14/threshing-it-out/06v_09r-august_top_full/
A more modern example is depicted in an 1899 Huber steam engine catalog http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4834/scangg0.jpg
Use of a flail with equal size rods by a man perched on the prow of a boat can be seen on page 190 of the book "An Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Costume : From the First Century B.C. to C. 1760 by J. R. Planche." Under the description for flail, it says such flails were popular for use by sailors in sea fights at the time of Henery VIII. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.181.81.5 ( talk) 22:03, 4 October 2009 (UTC)
Okinawa (Ryūkyū Kingdom) was a very important hub of maritime trade between mainland Asia and Japan. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satsuma_Domain
Flails as weapons became popularized in Okinawa after the time of the influx of European culture into Japan with the arrival of maritime merchants, sailors, and missionaries from Europe during the 17th century. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirishitan
Emergence of small concealable short flails in Okinawa, and the slow decline in use of the flail weapon in Okinawa coincided with the suppression and eventual expulsion of Western influence in Japan, during the mid 17th century. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakoku
More than a dozen historic traditional Kata for fighting with a staff are known of today in Okinawa martial arts, while no known historic traditional Kata recorded for Nunchaku survive, See http://www.itna.ch/histoire_nunch_en.htm This lack of maintaining a Nunchaku tradition could possibly be most easily explainable as the result of a suppression and decline of a relatively new non-indigenous weapon.
Please if you know of any verifiable sources of historical pictures of Okinawa/Japanese Nunchaku, preferably with rods of an equal length, the Wiki article really needs some historical pictures. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.181.83.27 ( talk) 21:22, 4 October 2009 (UTC)
"Free-Style Martial Arts Programs across the United States, such as The Sports Club of West Bloomfield, Michigan teach the use of nunchaku." Of what relevance is that Sports Club to the article? Dvrvm 21:55, 15 July 2007 (UTC)
I added this part "The three segmented nunchuck is known as the Sansetsukon." Intranetusa September. 20, 2006.
Just now I read that the British versions of several films censor any scenes that depict the use of " nunchucks"... anybody know exactly why? — FREAK OF NURxTURE ( TALK) 09:15, Apr 6, 2005 (UTC)
See below -
Cal42
11:55, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
Was wondering the same as well. And the answer is quite simple enough: it was an illegal weapon in the UK at the time.
I'm more concerned about actually carrying them around in the street.I go to Ju-Jitsu, I hae noly used nunchaku about 4 times, but I know how to use them pretty well.And I usually carry my budo pass with me (which is a permit).Can I still have them?
Would it be more correct to refer to them by the appropriate name rather than a bastardization in the wiki itself, rather than Nunchucks? 10:59, 23 Nov 2010 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.53.26.76 ( talk)
I know very little about nunchaku or Chinese, but according to the Japanese wikipedia page, the word origin of nunchaku is from the Min dialect of Chinese:
「節で二つに分かれた棒」を意味する「両節棍」を福建語で読んだ「n=ng-chiat-kun」が語源
Maybe someone else knows more? CES 23:26, 2 Feb 2005 (UTC)
I have found references to nunchaku being written in completely different characters in Japanese: 双節棍 —
Hippietrail 09:28, 2 Jun 2004 (UTC)
The entry for Ninja contains the following:
Contrary to popular belief, nunchaku were never used by the ninja, or indeed any mainland Japanese traditional martial art.
However, the entry for nunchaku claims:
The most common martial arts to use nunchaku are the Japanese martial arts such as some forms of karate,
and talks about nunchaku in relation to Japan. Which is it?
Karate is basically Okinawan and Chinese, not Japanese.
I think it should be Satsuma Daimyō, not Satsuma shoguns. The Shōgun was the leader of Japan who lived in Edo (modern day Tōkyō) in that time period. Another possibility is using "Tokugawa Shogunate", the regime in Japan which limited the carrying of swords to the samurai in the early 1600s. However, I don't know anything about Okinawan history so any comments on which it should be?
The article argues that the nunchaku was not derived from a rice flail, then goes on to say that it was "modified for it's use as a weapon." Modified from what? The nunchaku probably was modified from a rice flail. Nobody would have designed this device from scratch as a weapon because, as the article points out, it really isn't a very practical weapon. No doubt the original flail was an even more impractical weapon, but in a pinch it would be better than nothing. The article also points out that the farmers wouldn't have trained for improvised combat against soldiers, but they may have trained for improvised combat against ordinary bandits or other trouble-makers. The bo, kama and tonfa were undoubtedly derived from improvised weapons; there's no reason to doubt that the nunchaku was too. If it wasn't derived from a rice flail, then what was it?
I have come to understand that the nunchaku would almost be completely worthless as a rice flail. It's a myth/old wives tale that is continuously perpetuated. The amount of rice you could actually thresh in an hour with such a skinny little flail would be very miniscule, and you'd likely starve to death ;). Recently a kobudo shihan informed me that (keeping with the trend of farming equipment implemented as weapons) the nunchaku was likely part of the harness/collar for an ox. And you are correct that its impractical. In fact the kama, tonfa, bo, jo, sai, etc.. probaly had less than a 5% chance of actually defending against katana (which is why most applications and styles of these weapons, with the exception of something like shindo muso, are usually against other okinawan weapons/tools.) -- Sodium N4 09:09, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
-- 220.101.28.25 ( talk) 07:16, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
For one, I think they meant Cellophane tape or Scotch tape (magic tape, etc). And secondly, given the article's tone overall, it would be heracy to put scotch tape on such a well-made and well-cared-for weapon. I can't believe the author actually suggests this. In fact this seems to be just some recommendations by the author, not something researched. Anyone care if I remove it?
"Rocket-powered"?
24.6.42.35 13:32, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I finally decided to do something about that one. It's been around for an eternity, in wikitime. I did a little searching to try to find even a fictional, pop-culture rocket-powered nunchaku, but what with all the horrible misspellings of nunchaku, it's hard to search for. -- Rablari Dash 18:57, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
Is the nunchaku really forbidden in the UK?
interesting how the nunchuk is forbidden in so many places. It's ridiculous. It's obviously because of the crude assumptions and stereotypes sorrounding nunchucks. Good god, all variables set aside, if some nunchuck master got into an arena with some ordinary shmuck with a baseball bat, i'm betting money on the guy with the bat. Nunchucks are very impractical weopons. Bruce lee himself used nunchucks in his movies because they looked cool and that's it. (same reason he did flashy things in movies, but in reality his fighting was very subtle and straight forward)
If i got in a fight with some one who had nunchucks, gimme a stick and i'd beat that deluded moron senseless.
It is illegal to carry on the street unless you are travelling to or from a dojo, and you are carrying them approriately. i.e., in a bag, not in your hand. It is not illegal to possess them.
I am an instructor for the Orcutt Police Nunchaku (OPN), having originally trained in 1997 and recertified under Kevin Orcutt, the Master Instructor. As a defensive tactics instructor and law enforcement officer I have trained law enforcement, since then, in the use of the OPN for impact and defense, as well as arrest control. Prior to that, I studied martial arts in various forms and several weapon systems, including the nunchaku. The statement made by the individual above, deciding that the nunchaku is an impractical weapon, and making statements about how a stick is superior, has apparently not seen the "practical" use of the nunchaku as an offensive/defensive tool. There is a reason many law enforcement agencies (San Diego P.D., Albuquerque N.M., Dodge City, KS, etc...)have traded in their "stick" for the OPN.
Arguments are easy to disregard. Demonstrations are not. It is not important that everyone realize how effective the nunchaku is...but it is very important that people never assume or underestimate the potential of the deluded moron's weapon of choice. 208.34.196.40 18:20, 1 May 2006 (UTC)Eric Smith
They certainly are dangerous to the untrained user and in the hands of someone competent i would not have much hope for a man with a stick. I think one reason they are seen as "bad" is because of their underground origin, after all they where designed to be a disguised weapon, though I train with them for meditation more than for combat. Does anyone know if the laws regarding nunchaku apply to the training type with foam handles? Katateochi 11:39, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
(copied from an earlier entry of mine)
"I'm more concerned about actually carrying them around in the street.I go to Ju-Jitsu, I have only used nunchaku about 4 times, but I know how to use them pretty well.And I usually carry my budo pass with me (which is a permit).Can I still have them?"
Who put down that nunchaku is a japanese weapon? Until after the industrial revolutions, very little things did originate from Japan. Today, most oriental things have japanese names (such as nunchaku, a japanese pronounciation of a chinese word) because the japanese were the first asian cultures the westerners were open to because the japanese did not have the arrogance of cultural superiority as the chinese do.
Nunchaku, among with almost every other japanese labeled weapons were of chinese origin. Otherwise, why would the japanese be creative enough to adopt a kenji (chinese) form of name for their own creation? lol
I don't think he's saying that. But it is historically accurate to say that karate is 50% southern Chinese kung fu and 50% traditional Okinawan martial art.
The Japanese spelling of "nunchaku" appears to say "tanchaku," can somebody fix this? (I assume the correct spelling would be transliterated as "nanchaku," but I could be wrong...)
Oh, and in the "formal nunchaku styles" section, at the end of the last paragraph (regarding the North American Nunchaku Association), it says, as a full sentence, "Students studying at home from DVDs, and send their sends to the school in California." I almost added "citation needed" for humorous effect. I'm positive it means something, but what? (Seriously, it looks like any old common typo, so it's not a big deal, I just wish I knew how we could fix it...) 68.167.251.122 16:59, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
I have added a section on freestyle nunchaku and linked it to the new wiki page on freestyle nunchaku. Us freestlye boys are lacking experience on wikis so any help would be much apreciated, as its quite a popular activity with nunchaku I think its important its in here, Cheers Hairybiddy 15:54, 3 September 2006 (UTC)
The guy in the video has such bad form and is clearly doing it for the aesthetic pleasure of the audience.
which is the idea. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:15, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
I've noticed that "Nunchaku" is used as an adjective in a number of section titles. This should be avoided, per WP:MOS. Just64helpin 00:11, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
I don't actually feel comfortable enough with the history of the nunchaku to rewrite that section, but I really thing it merits a rewrite, or some sort of "low quality" tagging of some sort. Pdpinheiro 07:54, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
Last sentence in the middle paragraph of the History section:
"Nonetheless, the nunchaku's impressive motion in use and perceived lethality contributed to its increasing popularity, peaking in the 1980s, perhaps due to its unfounded association with ninja during the 1980s ninja craze."
"1980s ninja craze" redirects to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. What's the rationale for this? Paul Haymon 08:55, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
I have removed the reference to the UK in the "legalities" section. Possession of Nunchaku was never illegal in this territory. I have also removed the reference to "anti-nunchaku law" as there was no actual LAW on this matter. The confusion seems to have arisen over the head of the BBFC for the 80's and early 90's James Ferman, who made it his personal mission to rid the SCREEN (both cinema and home) of the weapon. This was due to copyable behaviour most likely, and there were reports (most likely tabloid-driven Urban Myth) that gangs of children were roaming the streets immitating Bruce Lee and causing others (and themselves) physical injury. Such was Ferman's single-mindedness on this matter that even a scene in the movie Dragnet was cut, as it showed a poster of Bruce Lee on a wall using the weapon.
It should be pointed out that UK TV broadcasts (which didn't come under the jurisdiction or Ferman) could still show uncut movies featuring Nunchaku, but usually didn't due to their own broadcasting sensibilities. Some scenes previously trimmed by the BBFC DID get shown on TV, however, including the scene in Dragnet mentioned above.
When Ferman retired from the BBFC in 1999, the Bruce Lee films were released uncut on home formats in the UK - the first time they were seen in this way legally in the UK since 1985. This has effectively ended the ruling - I can't think of a single instance of a Nunchaku being censored since this time.
As for Nunchaku themselves, most weapon shops will want to see some documentation that you belong to a Martial Arts school before selling you the weapon. Use of the weapon may actually be limited to the Dojo, although I'm not 100% on that. It probably isn't a good idea to go walking around the streets with them, in any case.
Hope this helps. -- Cal42 11:55, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
there was a widely reported case of a man carrying a nunchuk, he was arrested, and charged with possession of a lethal weapon. it was a big deal, because it was the first time the weapon had been dubbed legally 'lethal'. thanks to one guy i cant go practice, for fear of being arrested. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:21, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
I have moved the trivial list of fictional nunchaku references here per WP:TRIV. TyrannoRanger
The final paragraph states:
Many new nunchucks are being made with physics in mind. With a growing number of graduates in the field of nunchucking, the speed and ferocity at which the weapon is used is being better implemented through the use of centripetal force.
...What exactly is this trying to say? -- Xanthine 11:34, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
How come no one ever mentions the Chinese sectional staves as a possible origin for the nunchaku?
put simply, they do. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:23, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
The article lists the Korean name as Ssahng Jeol Bahngs, or sometimes Ssahng Jeol Bongs, but every Korean I've ever met in Korea calls them Ssahng Jeol Gon (forget the s, there's no pluralization like that in Korean) 222.108.59.145 10:45, 29 October 2007 (UTC)
I orginally planned to making minor grammatical changes to the Anatomy section of this article but have found this to be much harder to do than I originally intended.
The problem I have is this particular block of text: 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. The rope is made from horsehair, and was traditionally claimed to be able to block a sword. 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.
I am unsure if this is talking about how nanchaku were traditionally made (a past event) or how traditional style nunchku are made (a present event)as the text switches tenses in almost every sentence. For example, the words "is made", in the first sentence, suggests this is about current construction practices while the use of "originally" and "would be" in the next sentence suggests that is is really about how nunchaku were made in the past. I will gladly rewite this particular section if someone is able to clarify for me, what this part should be about. France3470 ( talk) 18:25, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
Few people actually know how to use the nunchaku effectively. Most "masters" only know how to swing the weapon in an aesthetic manner for bystanders. 70.59.5.18 ( talk) 18:53, 12 March 2008 (UTC)
I added the {{ Fact}} tag to the 'Also, Chucku may have also been believed to be a suffix for the Hindi phrase "knife"' statement in the History section. Just wanted to point out that I am not questioning the meaning of "Chucku" in Hindi, but rather that any authorities consider the word nunchaku to have been derived from this. It seems like original research to me, but I will give this some time. WDavis1911 ( talk) 18:54, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
Removed content about the North American Nunchaku Association (NANA), which is not an "association" but actually a commercial enterprise that has its headquarters in California where even possession of nunchaku is illegal. Any objections? Behemoth ( talk) 04:15, 28 December 2008 (UTC)
This East Asian weapon is now familiar enough to have acquired an English nam: nunchuck. this is an English encyclopedia. Historicist ( talk) 11:31, 1 June 2009 (UTC)
No, I agree. It's Wiki policy to use the common name in English of article subjects for the title. The common name in English is Nunchuck, not Nunchaku, hence the article title should be changed. 24.190.34.219 ( talk) 14:36, 11 March 2010 (UTC)
But "nunchucks" is just a layman's term, not the common name for the weapon. All of the sporting associations listed on the page use the correct spelling regardless of their country of origin. A quick look online will reveal that other than the G.I Joe character and the Wii peripheral, the vast majority of material (books, instructional dvds) use the correct spelling. I agree that the word is commonly pronounced "nunchucks" or "nunchuckas" however it is rarely spelled this way, saying that "nunchucks" is the common english name is fallacious.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.148.117.79 ( talk • contribs)
Title of the article is simply embarassing. "Nunchucks" is not the proper English term. It's merely teenager slang. All English-speaking exponents as well as noteworthy sources on the subject mention the weapon with its internationally recognised name. Behemoth ( talk) 22:18, 29 November 2010 (UTC)
I changed everything I could back to Nunchaku, a member will have to restore the title. Calling Nunchaku "Nunchucks" is like calling Katana "Samurai Swords" or Shuriken "Ninja Stars", common slang terms but inappropriate and amateurish for an encyclopedia article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.107.253.223 ( talk) 05:12, 12 December 2010 (UTC)
Are there any occasions where a nunchaku has been used a garrote? In other words have nunchaku been used as strangling weapons? On the garrote article it says they've been used in that fashion. 97.118.32.250 ( talk) 23:28, 9 May 2010 (UTC)
Could be worth covering: has there ever been an objective determination on just how dangerous a nunchaku makes the person who carries it? The various prohibitive legislation seems driven mostly by panic. knoodelhed ( talk) 05:37, 20 May 2010 (UTC)
Is pvc a form of plasic?, cause ive seen pvc used to make demo nunchucks. 68.70.14.63 ( talk) 14:02, 24 December 2010 (UTC)unknown 68.70.14.63 ( talk) 14:02, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: page moved: spelling correction
Anthony Appleyard (
talk)
21:47, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
---
Nunchaka →
Nunchaku —
I have made a mess of the move, not realizing the problems of double linking.
'Nunchaku' is the correct spelling and should be the name of the article page.
'Nunchucks' is a common mispelling and should be a redirect to this article. This was the original name of the article.
'Nunchaka' is a misspelling that I accidentally introduced during the attempted move. It should not exist at all.
jmcw (
talk)
11:02, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
Shouldn't there be some reference in etymology (or somewhere else in the article) to the common English nickname Nunchucks/Nunchuks? -- TheHande ( talk) 10:44, 24 May 2011 (UTC)
Added a citation though not the one I wanted since the other one came from a site that's been blacklisted (eHow Health). Also added a reference to the Wii Nunchuk as additional evidence. -- TheHande ( talk) 11:28, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
The first picture displaying "different types of nunchucks" is certainly optimistic about its contents, I'll try to gather some chucks that more adequately display the range of nunchucks, although my picture won't be complete it should be a more prominent variety.
American Law enforcement nunchucks, used as traditional nunchucks with a very resistant rope to use as a restraint also as a bludgeon, there are nunchucks that can be converted into batons, actually a couple of them. There is the Filipino nunchuck, aswell as studded nunchucks. I have even seen ones with a blade on the bottom. there is a hardly seen tonfa and chuck, this is a side handled baton that one can unscrew the other half to reveal a connecting chain. The law enforcement one is the most unique , in my opinion of course.
68.8.141.156 (
talk)
09:59, 16 November 2011 (UTC)
![]() | This page is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page. |
Did European sailors or missionaries have a hand in encouraging the adoption of the flail as a concealable peasant weapon?
The points that raised this question were...
· The name Nunchaku was borrowed from the Chinese language to describe the new weapons.
· The claimed origin of the device is undetermined and highly disputed, with claims of either a grain flail, a horse bridle, or a percussion instrument used for music and signaling.
· No known historic traditional Kata recorded for Nunchaku survive.
· Lack of available historical Asian illustrations depicting short equal length rod Nunchaku, or Nunchaku weapon use. I am currently still looking for verifiable sources of historical pictures of Okinawa/Japanese Nunchaku, preferably with rods of an equal length, and predating the arrival of Europeans in Japan.
The flail was a popular symbol in European religious art, and had been used by religious fanatics in battles as an inexpensive weapon (see for example Hussite wars 1420 to circa 1434). Flails were popular in Europe as a quick and cost effective means to arm peasant uprisings.
European flails included designs with rods of equal matching length. These matched pairs of rods came in sizes that included both large full man height rods, and smaller arm length Rods.
See these pictures for examples of such European flail styles
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battage_%C3%A0_Fl%C3%A9au.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3-piantagione,Taccuino_Sanitatis,_Casanatense_4182..jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tacuinum_Sanitatis-threshing.jpg
Threshing grain shown on Stain glass window in Chartres cathedral http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/France/Chartres/Zodiac_Window/ImagesB_Cancer_to_Capricorn/800/Aug-Sept07-DE6804sAR800.jpg
http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/08/14/threshing-it-out/06v_09r-august_top_full/
A more modern example is depicted in an 1899 Huber steam engine catalog http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4834/scangg0.jpg
Use of a flail with equal size rods by a man perched on the prow of a boat can be seen on page 190 of the book "An Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Costume : From the First Century B.C. to C. 1760 by J. R. Planche." Under the description for flail, it says such flails were popular for use by sailors in sea fights at the time of Henery VIII. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.181.81.5 ( talk) 22:03, 4 October 2009 (UTC)
Okinawa (Ryūkyū Kingdom) was a very important hub of maritime trade between mainland Asia and Japan. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satsuma_Domain
Flails as weapons became popularized in Okinawa after the time of the influx of European culture into Japan with the arrival of maritime merchants, sailors, and missionaries from Europe during the 17th century. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirishitan
Emergence of small concealable short flails in Okinawa, and the slow decline in use of the flail weapon in Okinawa coincided with the suppression and eventual expulsion of Western influence in Japan, during the mid 17th century. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakoku
More than a dozen historic traditional Kata for fighting with a staff are known of today in Okinawa martial arts, while no known historic traditional Kata recorded for Nunchaku survive, See http://www.itna.ch/histoire_nunch_en.htm This lack of maintaining a Nunchaku tradition could possibly be most easily explainable as the result of a suppression and decline of a relatively new non-indigenous weapon.
Please if you know of any verifiable sources of historical pictures of Okinawa/Japanese Nunchaku, preferably with rods of an equal length, the Wiki article really needs some historical pictures. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.181.83.27 ( talk) 21:22, 4 October 2009 (UTC)
"Free-Style Martial Arts Programs across the United States, such as The Sports Club of West Bloomfield, Michigan teach the use of nunchaku." Of what relevance is that Sports Club to the article? Dvrvm 21:55, 15 July 2007 (UTC)
I added this part "The three segmented nunchuck is known as the Sansetsukon." Intranetusa September. 20, 2006.
Just now I read that the British versions of several films censor any scenes that depict the use of " nunchucks"... anybody know exactly why? — FREAK OF NURxTURE ( TALK) 09:15, Apr 6, 2005 (UTC)
See below -
Cal42
11:55, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
Was wondering the same as well. And the answer is quite simple enough: it was an illegal weapon in the UK at the time.
I'm more concerned about actually carrying them around in the street.I go to Ju-Jitsu, I hae noly used nunchaku about 4 times, but I know how to use them pretty well.And I usually carry my budo pass with me (which is a permit).Can I still have them?
Would it be more correct to refer to them by the appropriate name rather than a bastardization in the wiki itself, rather than Nunchucks? 10:59, 23 Nov 2010 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.53.26.76 ( talk)
I know very little about nunchaku or Chinese, but according to the Japanese wikipedia page, the word origin of nunchaku is from the Min dialect of Chinese:
「節で二つに分かれた棒」を意味する「両節棍」を福建語で読んだ「n=ng-chiat-kun」が語源
Maybe someone else knows more? CES 23:26, 2 Feb 2005 (UTC)
I have found references to nunchaku being written in completely different characters in Japanese: 双節棍 —
Hippietrail 09:28, 2 Jun 2004 (UTC)
The entry for Ninja contains the following:
Contrary to popular belief, nunchaku were never used by the ninja, or indeed any mainland Japanese traditional martial art.
However, the entry for nunchaku claims:
The most common martial arts to use nunchaku are the Japanese martial arts such as some forms of karate,
and talks about nunchaku in relation to Japan. Which is it?
Karate is basically Okinawan and Chinese, not Japanese.
I think it should be Satsuma Daimyō, not Satsuma shoguns. The Shōgun was the leader of Japan who lived in Edo (modern day Tōkyō) in that time period. Another possibility is using "Tokugawa Shogunate", the regime in Japan which limited the carrying of swords to the samurai in the early 1600s. However, I don't know anything about Okinawan history so any comments on which it should be?
The article argues that the nunchaku was not derived from a rice flail, then goes on to say that it was "modified for it's use as a weapon." Modified from what? The nunchaku probably was modified from a rice flail. Nobody would have designed this device from scratch as a weapon because, as the article points out, it really isn't a very practical weapon. No doubt the original flail was an even more impractical weapon, but in a pinch it would be better than nothing. The article also points out that the farmers wouldn't have trained for improvised combat against soldiers, but they may have trained for improvised combat against ordinary bandits or other trouble-makers. The bo, kama and tonfa were undoubtedly derived from improvised weapons; there's no reason to doubt that the nunchaku was too. If it wasn't derived from a rice flail, then what was it?
I have come to understand that the nunchaku would almost be completely worthless as a rice flail. It's a myth/old wives tale that is continuously perpetuated. The amount of rice you could actually thresh in an hour with such a skinny little flail would be very miniscule, and you'd likely starve to death ;). Recently a kobudo shihan informed me that (keeping with the trend of farming equipment implemented as weapons) the nunchaku was likely part of the harness/collar for an ox. And you are correct that its impractical. In fact the kama, tonfa, bo, jo, sai, etc.. probaly had less than a 5% chance of actually defending against katana (which is why most applications and styles of these weapons, with the exception of something like shindo muso, are usually against other okinawan weapons/tools.) -- Sodium N4 09:09, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
-- 220.101.28.25 ( talk) 07:16, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
For one, I think they meant Cellophane tape or Scotch tape (magic tape, etc). And secondly, given the article's tone overall, it would be heracy to put scotch tape on such a well-made and well-cared-for weapon. I can't believe the author actually suggests this. In fact this seems to be just some recommendations by the author, not something researched. Anyone care if I remove it?
"Rocket-powered"?
24.6.42.35 13:32, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I finally decided to do something about that one. It's been around for an eternity, in wikitime. I did a little searching to try to find even a fictional, pop-culture rocket-powered nunchaku, but what with all the horrible misspellings of nunchaku, it's hard to search for. -- Rablari Dash 18:57, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
Is the nunchaku really forbidden in the UK?
interesting how the nunchuk is forbidden in so many places. It's ridiculous. It's obviously because of the crude assumptions and stereotypes sorrounding nunchucks. Good god, all variables set aside, if some nunchuck master got into an arena with some ordinary shmuck with a baseball bat, i'm betting money on the guy with the bat. Nunchucks are very impractical weopons. Bruce lee himself used nunchucks in his movies because they looked cool and that's it. (same reason he did flashy things in movies, but in reality his fighting was very subtle and straight forward)
If i got in a fight with some one who had nunchucks, gimme a stick and i'd beat that deluded moron senseless.
It is illegal to carry on the street unless you are travelling to or from a dojo, and you are carrying them approriately. i.e., in a bag, not in your hand. It is not illegal to possess them.
I am an instructor for the Orcutt Police Nunchaku (OPN), having originally trained in 1997 and recertified under Kevin Orcutt, the Master Instructor. As a defensive tactics instructor and law enforcement officer I have trained law enforcement, since then, in the use of the OPN for impact and defense, as well as arrest control. Prior to that, I studied martial arts in various forms and several weapon systems, including the nunchaku. The statement made by the individual above, deciding that the nunchaku is an impractical weapon, and making statements about how a stick is superior, has apparently not seen the "practical" use of the nunchaku as an offensive/defensive tool. There is a reason many law enforcement agencies (San Diego P.D., Albuquerque N.M., Dodge City, KS, etc...)have traded in their "stick" for the OPN.
Arguments are easy to disregard. Demonstrations are not. It is not important that everyone realize how effective the nunchaku is...but it is very important that people never assume or underestimate the potential of the deluded moron's weapon of choice. 208.34.196.40 18:20, 1 May 2006 (UTC)Eric Smith
They certainly are dangerous to the untrained user and in the hands of someone competent i would not have much hope for a man with a stick. I think one reason they are seen as "bad" is because of their underground origin, after all they where designed to be a disguised weapon, though I train with them for meditation more than for combat. Does anyone know if the laws regarding nunchaku apply to the training type with foam handles? Katateochi 11:39, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
(copied from an earlier entry of mine)
"I'm more concerned about actually carrying them around in the street.I go to Ju-Jitsu, I have only used nunchaku about 4 times, but I know how to use them pretty well.And I usually carry my budo pass with me (which is a permit).Can I still have them?"
Who put down that nunchaku is a japanese weapon? Until after the industrial revolutions, very little things did originate from Japan. Today, most oriental things have japanese names (such as nunchaku, a japanese pronounciation of a chinese word) because the japanese were the first asian cultures the westerners were open to because the japanese did not have the arrogance of cultural superiority as the chinese do.
Nunchaku, among with almost every other japanese labeled weapons were of chinese origin. Otherwise, why would the japanese be creative enough to adopt a kenji (chinese) form of name for their own creation? lol
I don't think he's saying that. But it is historically accurate to say that karate is 50% southern Chinese kung fu and 50% traditional Okinawan martial art.
The Japanese spelling of "nunchaku" appears to say "tanchaku," can somebody fix this? (I assume the correct spelling would be transliterated as "nanchaku," but I could be wrong...)
Oh, and in the "formal nunchaku styles" section, at the end of the last paragraph (regarding the North American Nunchaku Association), it says, as a full sentence, "Students studying at home from DVDs, and send their sends to the school in California." I almost added "citation needed" for humorous effect. I'm positive it means something, but what? (Seriously, it looks like any old common typo, so it's not a big deal, I just wish I knew how we could fix it...) 68.167.251.122 16:59, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
I have added a section on freestyle nunchaku and linked it to the new wiki page on freestyle nunchaku. Us freestlye boys are lacking experience on wikis so any help would be much apreciated, as its quite a popular activity with nunchaku I think its important its in here, Cheers Hairybiddy 15:54, 3 September 2006 (UTC)
The guy in the video has such bad form and is clearly doing it for the aesthetic pleasure of the audience.
which is the idea. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:15, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
I've noticed that "Nunchaku" is used as an adjective in a number of section titles. This should be avoided, per WP:MOS. Just64helpin 00:11, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
I don't actually feel comfortable enough with the history of the nunchaku to rewrite that section, but I really thing it merits a rewrite, or some sort of "low quality" tagging of some sort. Pdpinheiro 07:54, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
Last sentence in the middle paragraph of the History section:
"Nonetheless, the nunchaku's impressive motion in use and perceived lethality contributed to its increasing popularity, peaking in the 1980s, perhaps due to its unfounded association with ninja during the 1980s ninja craze."
"1980s ninja craze" redirects to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. What's the rationale for this? Paul Haymon 08:55, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
I have removed the reference to the UK in the "legalities" section. Possession of Nunchaku was never illegal in this territory. I have also removed the reference to "anti-nunchaku law" as there was no actual LAW on this matter. The confusion seems to have arisen over the head of the BBFC for the 80's and early 90's James Ferman, who made it his personal mission to rid the SCREEN (both cinema and home) of the weapon. This was due to copyable behaviour most likely, and there were reports (most likely tabloid-driven Urban Myth) that gangs of children were roaming the streets immitating Bruce Lee and causing others (and themselves) physical injury. Such was Ferman's single-mindedness on this matter that even a scene in the movie Dragnet was cut, as it showed a poster of Bruce Lee on a wall using the weapon.
It should be pointed out that UK TV broadcasts (which didn't come under the jurisdiction or Ferman) could still show uncut movies featuring Nunchaku, but usually didn't due to their own broadcasting sensibilities. Some scenes previously trimmed by the BBFC DID get shown on TV, however, including the scene in Dragnet mentioned above.
When Ferman retired from the BBFC in 1999, the Bruce Lee films were released uncut on home formats in the UK - the first time they were seen in this way legally in the UK since 1985. This has effectively ended the ruling - I can't think of a single instance of a Nunchaku being censored since this time.
As for Nunchaku themselves, most weapon shops will want to see some documentation that you belong to a Martial Arts school before selling you the weapon. Use of the weapon may actually be limited to the Dojo, although I'm not 100% on that. It probably isn't a good idea to go walking around the streets with them, in any case.
Hope this helps. -- Cal42 11:55, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
there was a widely reported case of a man carrying a nunchuk, he was arrested, and charged with possession of a lethal weapon. it was a big deal, because it was the first time the weapon had been dubbed legally 'lethal'. thanks to one guy i cant go practice, for fear of being arrested. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:21, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
I have moved the trivial list of fictional nunchaku references here per WP:TRIV. TyrannoRanger
The final paragraph states:
Many new nunchucks are being made with physics in mind. With a growing number of graduates in the field of nunchucking, the speed and ferocity at which the weapon is used is being better implemented through the use of centripetal force.
...What exactly is this trying to say? -- Xanthine 11:34, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
How come no one ever mentions the Chinese sectional staves as a possible origin for the nunchaku?
put simply, they do. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.15.16.190 ( talk) 14:23, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
The article lists the Korean name as Ssahng Jeol Bahngs, or sometimes Ssahng Jeol Bongs, but every Korean I've ever met in Korea calls them Ssahng Jeol Gon (forget the s, there's no pluralization like that in Korean) 222.108.59.145 10:45, 29 October 2007 (UTC)
I orginally planned to making minor grammatical changes to the Anatomy section of this article but have found this to be much harder to do than I originally intended.
The problem I have is this particular block of text: 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. The rope is made from horsehair, and was traditionally claimed to be able to block a sword. 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.
I am unsure if this is talking about how nanchaku were traditionally made (a past event) or how traditional style nunchku are made (a present event)as the text switches tenses in almost every sentence. For example, the words "is made", in the first sentence, suggests this is about current construction practices while the use of "originally" and "would be" in the next sentence suggests that is is really about how nunchaku were made in the past. I will gladly rewite this particular section if someone is able to clarify for me, what this part should be about. France3470 ( talk) 18:25, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
Few people actually know how to use the nunchaku effectively. Most "masters" only know how to swing the weapon in an aesthetic manner for bystanders. 70.59.5.18 ( talk) 18:53, 12 March 2008 (UTC)
I added the {{ Fact}} tag to the 'Also, Chucku may have also been believed to be a suffix for the Hindi phrase "knife"' statement in the History section. Just wanted to point out that I am not questioning the meaning of "Chucku" in Hindi, but rather that any authorities consider the word nunchaku to have been derived from this. It seems like original research to me, but I will give this some time. WDavis1911 ( talk) 18:54, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
Removed content about the North American Nunchaku Association (NANA), which is not an "association" but actually a commercial enterprise that has its headquarters in California where even possession of nunchaku is illegal. Any objections? Behemoth ( talk) 04:15, 28 December 2008 (UTC)
This East Asian weapon is now familiar enough to have acquired an English nam: nunchuck. this is an English encyclopedia. Historicist ( talk) 11:31, 1 June 2009 (UTC)
No, I agree. It's Wiki policy to use the common name in English of article subjects for the title. The common name in English is Nunchuck, not Nunchaku, hence the article title should be changed. 24.190.34.219 ( talk) 14:36, 11 March 2010 (UTC)
But "nunchucks" is just a layman's term, not the common name for the weapon. All of the sporting associations listed on the page use the correct spelling regardless of their country of origin. A quick look online will reveal that other than the G.I Joe character and the Wii peripheral, the vast majority of material (books, instructional dvds) use the correct spelling. I agree that the word is commonly pronounced "nunchucks" or "nunchuckas" however it is rarely spelled this way, saying that "nunchucks" is the common english name is fallacious.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.148.117.79 ( talk • contribs)
Title of the article is simply embarassing. "Nunchucks" is not the proper English term. It's merely teenager slang. All English-speaking exponents as well as noteworthy sources on the subject mention the weapon with its internationally recognised name. Behemoth ( talk) 22:18, 29 November 2010 (UTC)
I changed everything I could back to Nunchaku, a member will have to restore the title. Calling Nunchaku "Nunchucks" is like calling Katana "Samurai Swords" or Shuriken "Ninja Stars", common slang terms but inappropriate and amateurish for an encyclopedia article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.107.253.223 ( talk) 05:12, 12 December 2010 (UTC)
Are there any occasions where a nunchaku has been used a garrote? In other words have nunchaku been used as strangling weapons? On the garrote article it says they've been used in that fashion. 97.118.32.250 ( talk) 23:28, 9 May 2010 (UTC)
Could be worth covering: has there ever been an objective determination on just how dangerous a nunchaku makes the person who carries it? The various prohibitive legislation seems driven mostly by panic. knoodelhed ( talk) 05:37, 20 May 2010 (UTC)
Is pvc a form of plasic?, cause ive seen pvc used to make demo nunchucks. 68.70.14.63 ( talk) 14:02, 24 December 2010 (UTC)unknown 68.70.14.63 ( talk) 14:02, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: page moved: spelling correction
Anthony Appleyard (
talk)
21:47, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
---
Nunchaka →
Nunchaku —
I have made a mess of the move, not realizing the problems of double linking.
'Nunchaku' is the correct spelling and should be the name of the article page.
'Nunchucks' is a common mispelling and should be a redirect to this article. This was the original name of the article.
'Nunchaka' is a misspelling that I accidentally introduced during the attempted move. It should not exist at all.
jmcw (
talk)
11:02, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
Shouldn't there be some reference in etymology (or somewhere else in the article) to the common English nickname Nunchucks/Nunchuks? -- TheHande ( talk) 10:44, 24 May 2011 (UTC)
Added a citation though not the one I wanted since the other one came from a site that's been blacklisted (eHow Health). Also added a reference to the Wii Nunchuk as additional evidence. -- TheHande ( talk) 11:28, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
The first picture displaying "different types of nunchucks" is certainly optimistic about its contents, I'll try to gather some chucks that more adequately display the range of nunchucks, although my picture won't be complete it should be a more prominent variety.
American Law enforcement nunchucks, used as traditional nunchucks with a very resistant rope to use as a restraint also as a bludgeon, there are nunchucks that can be converted into batons, actually a couple of them. There is the Filipino nunchuck, aswell as studded nunchucks. I have even seen ones with a blade on the bottom. there is a hardly seen tonfa and chuck, this is a side handled baton that one can unscrew the other half to reveal a connecting chain. The law enforcement one is the most unique , in my opinion of course.
68.8.141.156 (
talk)
09:59, 16 November 2011 (UTC)