Nunchuku and the law

One of the most common things people think of when thinking about the martial arts is the ‘Nunchuku’, or ‘Nunchuks’ as some call them. I think everyone who has ever watched a Bruce Lee movie, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been mesmerized by the skill it takes to be able to work a pair. I have known many people, who have tried to make them swing and dance over their shoulders, without knocking themselves in the head! Some were quite successful, others not so much. For decades, they have been a controversial martial art weapon as they can be deadly.

Traditionally Nunchuku, were an Okinawan farming tool used to thrash rice or soybeans. Some even say that their design was taken from a wooden clapper known as a ‘hyushiki’ which was carried by village night patrol and were used to hit blocks of wood to alarm people to danger in the village. As with many Okinawan farming tools, they were also used in secret as a self defence tool so farmers and their families could protect their land and themselves. Originally, Nunchuku were made from hard wood and attached together with a section of rope or chain. Many different versions have been made over the years as their popularity grew. Metal and plastic versions have also been developed.

The popularity of the Nunchuku really grew with the infamous Bruce Lee. He was a master with them and you could almost become hypnotized by watching him use them on screen. Everyone wanted to learn how to use them and many people sought out instructors who could teach them. The Nunchuku, after all, like other popular Okinawan weapons such as the Bo, Sai and TongFa were amongst many students’s motivation to learn the martial arts. Due to their growing popularity and the amount of serious injuries that occurred, they were a considered a dangerous weapon and were quickly prohibited in many States in the United States and other Countries. Nunchuku earned a reputation for being a thug or gang style weapon, largely due to the portrayal of them in martial art movies. The amount of damage that can be caused by them often led to deadly consequences.

When it comes to legality of using the Nunchuku, one needs to do their homework. There are certain states such as California, New York who prohibit them. Other states allow them to only be used in a Martial Arts School. Countries such as Canada, and Germany have them on their prohibited weapons list. Other places such as Hong Kong, allow them, however you have to be a Martial Arts Instructor and have a special permit for them from the police. Interestingly enough they have been used by some American Law Enforcement Agencies as a form of non- lethal force and can be used to help in controlling criminals.

If you find yourself tempted to learn how to use these flashy, quick, yet deadly martial arts tools, make sure you know the law in your area, seek out a certified instructor to help teach you the basics. Learn the safety of how to use them, where to store them so that young children cannot find them, and perhaps seek out a safer styles to practise with. There are different types of plastic and foam ones out there. Nunchuku are very fun to learn and require lots of skill to become proficient in. Most importantly, use common sense. Lastly, it might be a great idea to have an ice pack standing by.

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About the Author

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program.