Classic Shoulder Pass

This is the opposite to Cobra switch.
From Main position lower hand moves nunchaku in front of your body upward, then upper hand catches nunchaku under the arm. This technique also called "1st Upward Strike" in WNA (World Nunchaku Association). Black belt attestation requires 100 switches in 100 seconds with mistake rate not higher than 1%.



For everyone who wants to share his demonstration of that technique I am starting here the Scoreboard. To get into the table just post comment with your full name, country, your result (number of switches in one minute) and the link on your video demonstration.

"Shoulder Pass" Scoreboard (number of hand switching in 60 seconds)

1 . 128 . Tofig Kareemov (Estereos) . Israel . 2009/04/28 . .

HHH

~~~~~~~

Nunchaku country black list

Legality of Nunchakus

Possession of nunchaku is illegal in a number of countries, in
cluding Canada, Germany, Norway, Spain, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom (anti-nunchaku laws in the UK were loosened somewhat in 1991, however media scenes with nunchaku are still edited out by censors). Legality in the United States varies at state level, e.g. personal possession of nunchaku is illegal in New York, Arizona, California and Massachusetts, but in other states possession is not criminalized. Legality in Australia is also determined by individual state laws. In New South Wels, the weapon is on the restricted weapons list, and thus can only be owned with a permit.

Even though I don't use Nunchaku as such I am constantly asked if they are legal or illegal, Nunchaku in most countries are illegal but not all. What there doesn't seem to be is any kind of database on which countries do allow possession of them. If you would like to fill in the Nunchaku form with what the laws state in your country, about possession of the Nunchaku. they will be posted on this page and a lot of people will be very grateful and I thankful for your contribution on there behalf. Please note that juggling with a twist cannot guarantee the accuracy of these laws if in doubt ask your local law enforcement agency. Over the last few months more and more Martial art web sites are selling what they call Glo Chux, Glow Chux, Glow Nunchaku - Nunchacka - Nunchucks even though these may be similar to Glowstick Twisters they aren’t and most if not all Law Enforcement agencies still classify them as Nunchaku and they will act accordingly to their Laws.

California

In California, Nunchaku are illegal except in a martial arts school. That means that technically you can't own them, transport them or possess them, even at home. They can only exist at a martial arts school. Of course this law is virtually impossible to inforce, especially inside someone's home. There have only been two cases of someone being prosecuted for possessing Nunchaku inside their home in the past 30 years. Both times the police were looking for something else and stumbled on the Nunchaku in the persons home and decided that arresting them for possession of Nunchaku was better than nothing. The laws in New York and Massachusetts are very similar.

Washington DC

The Nunchaku Law’s in Washington DC say even though it isn’t illegal to carry them, they can only be used for demonstration or for martial arts tournaments if you are caught using these on another person they automatically become illegal and are counted as an offensive weapon.

New York

In New York Even possession of a pair of Nunchaku in your house is illegal

Kentucky

Allows conceal weapon rights to Nunchaku with a permit.

Canada

Nunchuckus are partially illegal in Canada. These are the conditions. Wooden or metal nunchuks are completely illegal unless you have some sort of martial arts weapon license (that's the part I don't know about). Otherwise they have to be made of plastic or some sort of foam material that wouldn't be conventionally used to harm anyone. If you live in Toronto, there's various places that sell them.

England

The laws regarding weapons in England do not state specifically anything pertaining to the possession of nunchuku as most offensive weapons laws apply to items with a sharpened edge or point and items that are concealed. It is however illegal to transport anything which can be directly linked to being used to cause harm to a person or persons, which means that you can own nunchuku, or any other martial arts weaponry but not take it anywhere concealed or otherwise. If the police see you with what they deem to be an offensive weapon they can arrest you without a warrant, however you can claim that the item is for any of the following, a). for use at work b). for educational purposes c). For religious purposes d). as part of any national costume, and if you can prove the claim beyond reasonable doubt then you will be let off, however the punishments for being convicted are fairly severe. In addition to this possessing any form of weapon on a school premises carry's far more severe consequences. In short anything can become an offensive weapon if used in that manner from a chair or bottle to nunchuku or Bo-staff and you will be convicted of using an offensive weapon if caught hitting someone with a brick or something that was designed as a weapon. Many sports shops stock Nunchuku, Bokkens, Si etc. but you must be over 18 and in some cases 21 to purchase these items.

France

The Nunchaku is considered by the French legislation as a weapon of 6th category. The port and the use prohibited in downtown's. You can buy a Nunchaku, but you cannot transport it. The tonfa is also regarded as weapon 6th category. The port of the Nunchaku can, on certain occasions, being compared to a wearing of offensive weapon. If you are not in a private place, ensure that the Nunchaku is wrapped in a case, at the bottom of your bag, proving thus that it cannot quickly be caught in hands. Always ensure that a sufficient space is available around you and never handle in the presence of a person located at less than three meters of you.

Germany

Here nunchuckus are strictly forbidden. It is possible to get firearms under certain circumstances but it is not possible to buy or own a nunchuck legally! An exception is the foam-nunchaku. But since a new weapon law was published it's no more clear if nunchucks made of foam are forbidden or not. Nunchuckus are strictly forbidden in Germany since 1971. Criminal statistics show a massive use of knives, baseball bats and machine pistols for criminal action. Nunchucks are not used for criminal purposes.

Lebanon

They are legal In Lebanon under these conditions: - only the foam and chrome Nunchaku are allowed. - a Nunchaku player ID from an official martial arts club. - a Nunchaku player ID from an official Nunchaku federation like LNF, FINCA and WNA. - you have to carry your Nunchaku in a Nunchaku case with a zip. - you can’t hold the Nunchaku in professional instructor. and lately the police started asking about the International Sportive Nunchaku passport. If you are stopped by the police and you missed any of the above you will be asked to hide the Nunchaku.

Netherlands / Belgium

Only the foam Nunchaku’s are legal in the Netherlands. Possession of the chrome and wooden Nunchaku is illegal. About Nunchaku law says that it is not a safe weapon and treated as a firearm. But you can get permit if you are 21-years-old and not have a criminal record. If you use weapon for sports, educational or recreation, permit on weapon is not required - but I haven't checked it in real life. It is funny but the Head office of WNA (World Nunchaku Association) is located in Amsterdam.

Poland

Nunchaku are illegal except for soft foam Nunchaku regarded as a toy


HHH

~~~~~~~

My Nunchaku Collection

Designed and made by me, my favored red oak "Gepard"

*

Pagoda stand with my nunchakus

*

Classic Okinawa octoganol nunchakus

*

15 years old chained nunchaku

*

My hand made practicing foam nunchaku

*

Old red wood nunchaku

*

Classic round nunchaku

*

Bamboo nunchaku

*

My oldest. 30 years old, fiberglass nunchaku

HHH

~~~~~~~

Scoreboard Rules

* Exercise duration must be 1(one) minute (60 second)
* User must knock nunchaku handles in front of the camera to prove that nunchakus are wooden
* Hand switching is counted as 1(one) when nunchaku is moved from one hand to another
* Clear video demonstrating the technique must be provided
* The score, full name and country must be provided
* Scoreboard manager has all rights to accept or deny submitted scores
* Suspicious videos will be denied
* No error during the whole video session is acceptable
* No penchaku!
* No speedchux!
* No foam, metal, plastic, rubber, resin, paper or space technology nunchakus
* No chain nunchakus
* No cheating please, you must be in good body shape with good mass of muscles to run this thing fast
* Allowed nunchaku is: hard wood minimum 250 gram, equal handles of 30 - 40 cm long fitting the body height, rope connection of 10-15 cm long fitting handle length, no painting or lacquer



HHH

~~~~~~~

"Cobra" hand switching technique

This is the opposite to Over Shoulder switch.
From Main position upper hand moves nunchaku in front of your body downward, then lower hand catches nunchaku over the shoulder. This technique also called "1st Downward Strike" in WNA (World Nunchaku Association). Black belt attestation requires 100 switches in 100 seconds with mistake rate not higher than 1%.
Here is the set of images that explains the technique

Cobra

For everyone who wants to share his demonstration of that technique I am starting here the Scoreboard. To get into the table just post comment with your full name, country, your result (number of switches in one minute) and the link on your video demonstration.

"Cobra" Scoreboard (number of hand switching in 60 seconds)

1 . 120 . Tofig Kareemov (Estereos) . Israel . 2009/04/25 .
HHH

~~~~~~~

My Nunchaku Principals

My Nunchaky philosophy is based on following principals. Each has abstract but also very concrete meaning. Understanding these principals will lead you to good nunchaku understanding and as a result to good technique and nunchaku mastering.

* Desire is the only reason
* Two is better than one
* Connections bring the power
* Simplicity allows complexity
* Hard sides need soft center
* Equal means rational
* Double means skilled
* One hundred to learn, one thousand to teach
* Heavy means fast
* Fast means invincible
* Life is about move
* There is no right or left, as no right or wrong
* Nature is about balance
* Strong can be flexible
* Accent makes it different
* Mastering means living
* Be hard in matter and soft in motion
* Patience is mother of wisdom
* Center is for control, side is for impact
* Want only what you can get
* Do not look, feel
* Perfect details make things good in totality
* Right motion is a beautiful one too
* Don’t remember mistakes, remember achievements

HHH

~~~~~~~

My Nunchaku background

Of course as many of us, the first time I've seen nunchaku was Bruce Lee film and it happened in early 70-s of the last century. Since then I am crazy fanatic of this thing. I have made many different nunchaku for myself and for my friends. I am continuously practicing all this years. I have many original ideas about material, cording and shapes. I have developed my own training methodology and techniques. I had and have many students. This blog is for sharing my knowledge and experience with you, my dear friends.

I want to dedicate this blog to my son Nuri. He has started learning nunchaku when he was 7 years old. I want to pass him all of my knowledge about nunchaku and also build for him most effective studying program which will be published here as well.

Nunchaku means bistick, it is just a pair of sticks connected with a rope. I want to take off all this “magic mystic” and “scary eastern” terminology, to make it clear about what you are holding in your hands. I don't want also to turn this blog to another place where people will argue about origination of nunchaku. Any of those names either nunchaku (Japanese) or shuang jie gun (Chinese) translated to English as simple as bistick, pair of sticks, double stick etc. No mystics, no magic, no foreign traditions, just workout and understanding. Nunchaku became worldwide well known term and I have decided to use this term on this blog as well. Hope that this will be the only cryptic word here.

HHH

~~~~~~~

Nunchaku History

Official version

"Although the certain origin of nunchaku is unknown (as with most weapons in history), it was possibly invented in China or Okinawa. The Japanese word nunchaku itself comes from the Min Nan word ng-chiat-kun (兩節棍). The popular belief is that the nunchaku was originally a short flail used to thresh rice (separate the grain from the husk). An alternate theory is that it was created by a martial artist attempting to conceal his staff from the current oppressive government by cutting it into three sections, creating what is commonly known today as a sansetsukon, and that nunchaku were derived from that weapon. It is also possible that the weapon was developed in response to the moratorium on edged weaponry under the Satsuma daimyo after invading Okinawa in the 17th century, and that the weapon was most likely conceived and used exclusively for that end, as the configuration of actual flails and bits are unwieldy for use as a weapon. Also, peasant farmers were forbidden conventional weaponry such as arrows or blades so they improvised using only what they had available, farm tools such as the oar. Regardless of the origin of the nunchaku, the modern weapon would be an ineffective rice flail.

The nunchaku as a weapon has surged in popularity since martial artist Bruce Lee used it in his movies in the 1970s. It is generally considered by martial artists to be a limited weapon. Complex and difficult to wield, the nunchaku lacks the range of the bo (quarterstaff) and the edged advantage of a sword. It is also prone to inflicting injury on its user. Nevertheless, 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..."

---

I believe, that nunchaku was originally invented as a primitive and cheap kind of whip to drive or direct livestock or harnessed animals, simple and cheap, and then used as a weapon. Interesting to notice that nunchaku (Okinawa) technique resembles and looks very similar to whip technique. Practicing nunchaku for combat purposes suggested creating different kinds of exercises some of which were not particularly for fighting but for developing natural body moves, muscles, balance etc.

Through long years of nunchaku practicing you can approach 100-350 m/s as the speed of sticks rotation (note that speed of bullets in most of the handguns is about 300 m/s). That makes nunchaku at least comparable with handgun, bow or sword. My personal believe is that nunchaku is even better.

HHH

~~~~~~~

Welcome to My Nunchaku blog

Nunchaku, bistick, penchaku, ee chul bong, shuang jie gun and shoshigon so many names for a simple thing - pair of sticks connected with a rope. Here I'll give a bit of history on the nunchaku, as well as some background on how I got involved in it. I will also include some instructions on how to perform exercises, training, fighting and many other things you can do with nunchaku, as well as any tips or tricks I've acquired through the years. I will also talk about different kinds of nunchaku, materials they are made of, pros and cons of every type. And, of course, I'll include lots of pictures of the results of my own exercises and of me enjoying myself doing it.

Nunchaku is not just the most effective short range fighting weapon. It is a culture, philosophy, art and the best your body exercising tool.

There are about 3000 different tricks, moves, twists, rotations, hits, in short word, exercises techniques. It could take a life time to learn it all. Happy life to you and welcome to My Nunchaku blog!

HHH

~~~~~~~