ImpakuImpaku

Nunchaku / Flail

双節棍 / ヌンチャク

Traditional Okinawan Kobudo training tool consisting of two wooden sticks connected by a chain or rope.

Quick Facts

CategoryEquipment
Pronunciation/[noon-chah-koo]/
Alternative NamesDual sticks, Flail weapon tool

Definition

Nunchaku originated in Okinawa as an agricultural rice flail adapted for Kobudo self-defense. Practice develops wrist flexibility, coordination, and rapid swinging speed, popularized globally by Bruce Lee.

Related Terms

Makiwara巻物 / 巻き藁

Traditional Okinawan training post used to develop striking power and condition impact surfaces.

Te手

Japanese word for hand or palm.

Kote小手

Wrist or forearm, also referring to the padded wrist guard in Kendo.

Associated Martial Arts

Tomari-teSatojuku KarateTakamura Shindo Yoshin-ryuShorinji Ryu RenshinkanEnshin KarateTenjin Shin-ryu JujutsuShorinji-ryu KenkokanSeiwakai Goju-ryuJikishin-ryu JujutsuGensei-ryuChito-ryu KarateShito-ryuMotobu-ryu KarateAshihara KarateByakuren KaikanShorei-ryuUechi-ryuAsayama Ichiden-ryuTenjin Shin'yo-ryu JujutsuShotokanKyushin-ryu JujutsuMatsubayashi-ryuTakagi-ryu JujutsuShorin-ryu ShidokanShorin-ryu SeibukanIsshin-ryu KarateChokushin-ryu JujutsuShindo Yoshin-ryu JujutsuUnkei-ryu JujutsuSeidokaikan KarateShorin-ryuSekiguchi-ryu JujutsuHontai Yoshin-ryu JujutsuShuri-teMeibukan Goju-ryuShorin-ryu KyudokanJundokan Goju-ryuShinno Shinto-ryu JujutsuKyokushin BudokaiNaha-teShibukawa-ryu JujutsuShorin-ryu Shorinkan