Choosing Your Martial Arts Weapons
In addition to being mind-blowingly awesome, martial arts weapons let you apply your skills in new and exciting ways. If you’re considering incorporating a martial arts weapon into your practice, read on to learn more about some of our favorite weapons. And, be sure to follow us on Facebook so you’ll be in the know about our special weapons classes!
Sai
The sai is a close range, dual-wielding, melee weapon. In pop culture, it is the weapon of choice for Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A blunted weapon, the sai is especially suited for defense and is used to block, parry, and trap. It can also be used to strike, with either the tip of the weapon (called the saki) or the butt end of the handle (called the tsuka). Particular emphasis is placed on rapid grip changes in order to fully utilize the versatility of the sai.
Fun fact: the word “sai” refers both to a single weapon or multiple weapons. There is no plural of “sai.”
Kung Fun War Fans (Tessen)
Want another pop culture reference? Kitana from Mortal Kombat favored the tessen. While her tessen featured pointed iron spokes, that is an incredibly impractical addition to the weapon and is not at all a good representation of how tessen were used. Traditionally, tessen were clandestine weapons that were designed to look like harmless fans, but were made from heavy iron plates that could really do some damage. Samurai were able to take these fans into places where swords were not allowed. Tessen are often used as a defensive weapon to fend off knife and dart attacks, or as a throwing weapon.
Fun fact: The tessen was also used as a swimming aid.
Tonfa
A versatile melee weapon, the tonfa is held with the handle pointing upward, so that the weapon runs along the bottom of the forearm. It serves well to protect the forearm when performing blocks and reinforces elbow strikes and punches. It can also be swung outward in order to perform stabbing strikes.
Fun fact: Tonfa can be gripped by the shaft of the weapon. In this method, the tonfa is used more like a hook or sickle. However, this is not a common way of wielding tonfa.
Bo Staff
The bo staff is used in a variety of martial arts disciplines and is one of the hardest weapons to defend against. Measuring 6 feet in length, the bo staff is an excellent long-range weapon, but is also effective in close combat. The de facto bo staff move is to block an attack with the top of the staff, and in one fluid motion, counter-attack with with the lower end.
Fun fact: The bo staff is traditionally made of oak.
Nunchucks (Nunchaku)
This might be the most instantly recognizable of all martial arts weapons. Popularized by Bruce Lee, nunchaku is an excellent weapon for developing quick hand movements and correct posture. For this reason, nunchaku is often the first weapon a student will learn. If not wielded with restraint and correct posture, the weapon is more likely to hit the student than the opponent. Nunchaku can be applied to lock and trap an opponent’s limbs, or as an offensive weapon.
Fun fact: While the origin of the nunchuck is debated, the most credible belief is that it was derived from Okinawan horse bits.
Bokken
More often than not, the bokken is shaped like a katana, but can be made in the likeness of nearly any sword. The weapon was intended as a training sword that would lessen the damage caused by real swords. However, once it wound up in the hands of the masters, the bokken became a lethal weapon in its own right.
Fun fact: According to legend, the renowned philosopher and ronin Miyamoto Musashi defeated the kenjutsu master Sasaki Kojiro using nothing but a bokken he carved from an oar while on his way to face Sasaki in a duel.
Butterfly Swords
The butterfly swords may be the most ingeniously designed of all the martial arts weapons on our list. There are a multitude of ways the butterfly swords can be used for both defense and attack. Because the butterfly swords are only sharp from midway down the blade to the tip, the swords can be used not only to stab and slice — but also to deliver non-lethal blows and to block attacks without damaging the sharp end of the blade. The crossguards can be used to hook an opponent’s weapon, while the handles can be used as brass knuckles. The weapons can even be inverted and used in the same manner as a tonfa.
Usually, butterfly swords are wielded in pairs, but they are often carried in a single scabbard to give the illusion that a warrior possesses only one weapon. Due to their size, they are easily concealed up a sleeve or in other loose clothing.
Fun fact: Butterfly swords were traditionally commissioned by individual martial artists (they weren’t mass produced), so each set was different.
Jian
Known as the “Gentleman of Weapons,” the jian is a traditional, double-edged, Chinese straight sword. (It also appears in the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, because Hollywood loves itself a mystical sword). The blade of the jian is divided into three parts, each with a unique purpose. The part of the blade nearest the tip is meant for stabbing and slashing. The middle of the blade is used for cleaving cuts, draw cuts (wherein you both cut your opponent and pull them closer to you), and deflections. The section of the blade closest to the hilt is used for defensive maneuvers.
Fun fact: The dojo is having a jian straight sword class on Saturday, February 9 at 3:30 PM, and it’s going to be the stuff of legend!