Weapons

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This page of my site will be dedicated to traditional Martial Arts weapons. Please note that all weapon's articles found in this page are for information purpose only. If you have any doubt please consult our Legal Side. Also note that weapons seen in this page may be from other Martial Arts styles and not from the SCI syllabus.

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3 Sectional Staff

This weapon is mostly used to maim an opponent then to kill with. It has the ability to become a shorter weapon for close range and a longer weapon to hit the enemy from over seven feet away. From history we know that three sectional staff was also used to hit horses carrying enemy soldiers from behind bushes and trees.

This weapon is constructed from three equal staff of wood linked with pieces of chain. Most techniques of this weapon resembled those of the more common staff, like the Jo or Bo. Although the three sectional staff is harder to learn then the latter weapons.

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Bo Staff                                                                                                                                  

Most probably one of the easiest weapons to construct. All it is a long stuff made of hardwood about six feet long. Historians believe that it has evolved from the tenbin. The latter was a long staff carried across the shoulder to help while carrying buckets of water.  Some also say that it was developed from walking sticks and from prods for cattle.

Its main advantage is without any doubt its length. That is used a lot to block against bladed weapons. It is also one of the very first weapons used in the martial arts history. The bo staffs were used both by farmers and also by feudal Japan soldiers. It is one of the few weapons that are found in most martial arts from all countries. The techniques of this weapon vary from jabbing, circular strikes and slashes. In advanced stages it can be also used in locking techniques.

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Jo Staff                                                                                                        

The jo is a four feet staff made of hardwood. The techniques used are mostly of slashes and direct thrusts to the opponent.  

A Japanese samurai named Gonnosuke Muso developed this weapon. It is believed that he managed to win a competition with the jo against Musashi Miyamoto who was using the katana. The latter was known as kensei (sword saint) and it was the first time that was defeated. 

After this duel, Gonnosuke Muso founded the school of jo, which he named shindo muso-ryu.

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Bokken

This weapon is a copy of the katana but instead it is made of metal it is made of wood, usually oak.  The bokken was used mostly for training purposes. Although sometimes it was also used for competitions between rival schools. Most followers of the sword preferred the bokken because it was less expensive to obtain and to take care of.

The bokken has the length and weight of the real samurai sword. The only real difference is the thickness of the blade part. In the bokken the latter is thicker.

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Broadsword

This weapon is a Chinese martial art weapon. It can be found in most syllabuses of most types of Kung Fu. Usually it is reserved for advanced students. There is not a set of fixed measurements for the broadsword. Many different sizes exist.

In ancient China it was believed that the broadsword is the master of all weapons. Time after time the broadsword has proven to be more advantages than other weapons - even a slight slash across the enemy's body would cause more damage than from the staff, the spear, or the any other weapon. Another point to its favour is that by placing the back of the sword close to the body you can prevent the weapon from causing injury to the holder.

Designed to lay the wind, the curved blade of the broadsword can be anything in length from 25-29 inches; the handle can vary from 7 to 10 inches, and the guard about 1.5 inches beyond the border of the handle. The circular or semicircular metal guard is there to protect the hand from the enemy's weapon sliding down the blade. A handkerchief, usually as long as the blade, hung from the handle to distract the enemy and wipe blood off the blade. 

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Butterfly Sword

The Butterfly Swords are two short swords. Although you can use one at a time they are usually utilized together. In real fights with these kinds of weapons the result normally is that one of the fighters is permanently maimed or even killed. The Butterfly Swords were a widespread weapon of Chinese martial art.

These weapons, and any form for it, are used in short and fast techniques. The blade is both wider and thinner then that of the ordinary sword.

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Chakram

A very unusual weapon is brought to us from the Hindu Mythology. The Chakram is basically a circle made from iron or similar material. Many sizes and thickness can be used for this weapon. Unlike many other weapons, where you hold the weapon in your hands while fighting, with the Chakram you throw it like a normal Frisbee.

Usually this weapon is carried in sets of 7 around the left arm. Soldiers of the past could throw the Chakram over 70 feet with an incredible accuracy.

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Escrima                                                                                                                                                 

An escrima is basically a 27-inch staff. Although both length and thickness may vary. This weapon is usually used in pairs. That is two identical sticks held one in each hand. It is a weapon that has originated in the Philippines. Still today many martial artist go there to learn this style of fighting from Philippine exponents. Sometimes, around the world, this weapon is called also kali or arnis.

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Jutte

This weapon was used both by samurai and old Japanese police force. Its main purpose was that of trapping enemy blades. It was also very frequently used to jab and strike with. Some historians say that the sai was born from this weapon.

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Kama                                                                                                                                                     

Originally this weapon was a widely spread farming implement. In some places it is still used for farming purposes.  Japanese farmers were the first to see that in the hands of a martial artist this tool had a deadly potential. Since then it has been developed into a widespread martial art weapon.  This weapon is very famous for it’s trapping techniques, due to the way it is made.

The Kama can be used by it’s own or in a pair. Basically this weapon is a piece of staff with a curved blade attached to one of its end. The cutting end is on the inside of blade.

Two variations of the Kama exist. The first one has a long chain attached to its end, giving it a longer ranch and more techniques. This is called Kusarigama. The second type of this weapon is called Natagama. The difference from the traditional Kama is that the blade is much bigger and longer.

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Katana                                                                                                                                                      

Most probably the Katana is the one weapon that embodies most the spirit of martial arts. In most arts it is considered to be one of the most advanced weapons, if not the most advanced.

The Katana was also the main weapon of the Samurai of old Japan.  The weapon is one of the most time consuming in construction there is in all martial arts. The blade is slightly curved, with the cutting edge on the outside of the curve.  Once ready the sword was immediately used to cut to pieces enemies soldiers, believing so to capture their spirit within the blade. Therefore making the Katana almost invulnerable.

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Kukri                                                                                              

The Kukri is a traditional weapon from Nepal. It was mainly used to sacrifice animals. This weapon can vary a lot in sizes. In fact it can be found with blade beginning from 8 inches to blades measuring up to 4 feet in length. The key feature of this weapon is that the cutting side is on the inside of the curve. This weapon has been favoured by many soldiers of the past.

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Manrikigusari                                                                       

It's length is about that of three feet. The chain was usually painted black for easier concealment. At each end it had two weights.  It is a great weapon to do swinging techniques with. It was also very useful to trap enemy hands or weapon.

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Naginata                                                                

The Naginata is one of the oldest weapons in Japanese martial arts. Its first appearance was at the hands of the Bushi and soon afterwards found it self as the main weapon of the Sohei (Buddhist Monk). It is also one weapon that was officially chosen for the Japanese military system.

There are no specific sizes for this weapon. It all depended on personal preferences. Naginata with 10 inches blades exists and also with those that have blades up to 1 metre in length. Also the shaft can vary in both length and thickness. The blade is slightly curved with cutting edge on the outside of the curve.

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Nunchaku                                                                                                                             

Without any doubt one of the most famous Martial Arts weapons. What is today known as the nunchaku it was once just an everyday utensil for most farmers.  In fact it was used to hit and break grain.

This weapon is made up of two sticks both equal in length attached with each other with a chain or traditionally with horsehair.  It is considered an advanced weapon by most styles. It can be used alone or as a pair. It is a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled person.

The techniques of this weapon can vary from spinning, to trapping to choking to jabbing. It is considered one of the most practical weapons a Martial Artist can have in his arsenal.

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Sai                                                                                                                                                        

As the nunchaku, the sai was developed from a farm tool. Originally it was used to help with the planting of rice. Used as one or as a pair this weapon is considered by most very difficult to learn. A third sai was usually hidden in the belt to replace a loss sai.

One of the most used techniques with this weapon is to throw it at the enemy to kill him. If this were not successful it would had still distracted the opponent for long enough to hit with the other sai.

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Shinai                                                                                                                                                                 

The Shinai is a sword made of bamboo. It is mostly used in kendo. The latter is Japanese style fencing. In Japan it is quite a popular sport, practised daily by many students of all ages and gender. Competitors wear also full body armour.

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Shuriken                                                                                                          

The Shuriken is the throwing blade of Ninjutsu. Although many are those that believe that this weapon was only used for throwing in reality it was also used by holding it on your hand with the edges protruding from all sides of your hand and strike the enemy with it. Against popular believe the hole in the middle was not there to give it balance while in flight but it was put there so it could be used as a miniature crowbar. That is to pull out nails and such things from windows or doors.

Basically this weapon is a piece of flat metal with sharp points. When used as a throwing weapon it was not unknown that the points were dipped beforehand with poison. It was a favourite weapon to throw at your enemies while escaping to create confusion.

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The yari is a piece of long staff with a straight blade attached to its end. In feudal Japan it was used by both genders. Techniques to use this weapon both from standing and from horseback were widely practised. Its main purpose was as thrusting weapon.

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