Most popular thought considers the Asian forms of martial arts to be a combination of well performed punches, kicks, blocks, flips, and other combative gestures. A skilled martial artist performs his art like a graceful dance that is achieved through the careful honing of the bodies muscles, flexibility, and reflexes. At their core most Asian forms of martial arts are primarily focused on teaching these skills in combat, but for the more advanced student of martial arts there is a whole other side of training to be learned that involves the skillful use of deadly martial arts weapons.
On the poster of his movie Enter the Dragon martial arts icon Bruce Lee is shown holding a pair of Nunchakus above his head. In his 1973 film The Way of the Dragon Bruce Lee defends himself against a group of Italian thugs that are trying to run a Chinese Restaurant out of business utilizing a pair of Nunchakus. At one point he skillfully thrashes each opponent to the ground until there is one man standing, but when this one man decides to grab a pair of nunchakus himself he smacks himself in the face on his first attempt to use them and is knocked out. The term, Martial Arts is literally translated the art of war, and martial arts weapons have been an important part of fighting styles for centuries, but they can also be very dangerous part. Those centers that do choose to train with martial arts weapons usually choose to do so at the more advanced levels.
Bo Staff, Sword, Nunchakus, Sai, Tonfas, Kamas, and Escrima Stick are just some of the many weapons a student of the martial arts might use. Students and Centers that are looking to purchase these weapons will want to find a vendor that is knowledgeable and sales top name brands offering a 100% quality and satisfaction guarantee. The weapons themselves can come in many sizes and forms: metal, wood, plastic, rubber, and foam. Purchasing these weapons also mean purchasing important care products, display stands, and carrying cases. Wood or foam weaponry is the popular, safe and inexpensive choice for practicing. Foam usually stands up to multiple blows without breaking easily, and is safer to hit with.
Many centers will provide their own weapons to students so as not to encourage the use of these weapons outside of the training facilities, and for parents this is a desirable option. Students who wish to eventually collect their own set of weapons can find these at excellent prices at most martial arts vendors, but it can be illegal in some places to even own certain types of weapons so buyer beware. Skilled abilities in the ways of using martial arts weaponry is a desirable talent, and to be fully versed in the forms of martial arts one must eventually learn the right method of using these ancient tools. There are safe methods and environments for training with martial arts weapons, and a responsible student will insure that he never steps outside of these bounds.
Take the knife for example – practically all martial arts will teach their students how to use knives as martial arts weapons because almost all cultures have developed and used some version of the knife. The Philippines has the balisong, also called a Butterfly knife, which folds into its handle when not being used. The tanto is a Japanese stabbing knife that was usually carried by Japanese women within their obi as their self-defense weapon. There is also the kris that was used in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia during more violent times.
Since many times commoners were forbidden to carry bladed martial arts weapons, proficiency in use of wooden sticks as martial arts weapons also grew. The Japanese have the long wooden staff called Jo, whose use is taught in the martial arts of aikido and which is still used in modern times by Japanese police. The term escrima has been applied to stick-fighting as done in the Philippines – it is said by some that an escrima (or arnis) master can use even a simple ballpen as a martial arts weapon in stick-fighting and come out the winner. Use of sticks (both long and short) as martial arts weapons allowed ordinary folk to protect their villages when invaders came to plunder their community even in the absence of bladed martial arts weapons.
Less commonly-known among martial arts weapons is the guang dao, which is a pole that has a blade with a spiked end. A tassel or red sash might be tied to where the blade meets the pole. Nowadays, the guang dao is one of the martial arts weapons used in the sport of wushu. But unlike other martial arts weapons that you can use to attack your opponent, the guang dao is used more to disarm an attacker and render him helpless. The benefit of such long martial arts weapons is that you can enter combat and keep your opponent at a safe distance from you.
It is not often you find martial arts weapons designed chiefly for women, but there is actually one and it is found in Japan. It is called the Naginata and it is a Japanese pole weapon whose use was reserved for samurai women. Some say the Naginata looks a lot like the Chinese guang dao. Modern female Naginata users may have been inspired to take up martial arts weapons like this one because of the famed Naginata user Itagaki who led an entire garrison in the 12th century. Samurai women were expected in the past to use their Naginata to defend their families if invaders came while their husbands were away.
There are so many martial arts weapons being used nowadays that it is hard to condense their uses to just one article. However, it is advisable for fans of martial arts weapons to take up just one weapon at a time to become proficient before trying to use others. This gives you focus and a sense of accomplishment when you master at least one of the many martial arts weapons available today.
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