It is thought that women invented Nunchaku to defend themselves after Satsuma’s subjugation of the Ryukyu Kingdom about 380 years ago. The idea of making this weapon originated with the tool, which peels off the bark of Abaca (banana tree) for weaving. However, in Fuzhou China, there was a weapon called “Nisetsu Kon” or “Ryosetsu Kon” but pronounced “Nunchaku” in dialect. Its technique has a long history and is similar to Sansetsu Kon. Therefore, this Nunchaku jutsu seems to be influenced from Fuzhou China.
Also called “Sosetsu Kon”, Nunchaku is a pair of wooden sticks, usually made of oak, tied together at one end by two strings. The art of Nunchaku was developed for self-defense. Easily concealed, similar weapons are still used today in guerrilla war in Korea and around Southeast Asian countries.
This weapon is the fourth that practitioners of Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan are introduced to. Officially the Kodokan curriculum includes the practice of kata and kata bunkai for this weapon. Originally this weapon was as the Tunkua, an ordinary household utensil. This utensil was used to smash grain and/or to peel off the bark of the Abaca or banana tree for weaving. This weapon, a difference from the Sai or Tunkua where the length of the forearm of the practitioner defines its size, does not have a specific way to measure it. The most common Nunchaku is formed by two lengths of 14” octagonal wood tied together by a rope.
In Matayoshi Kobudo, the following nunchaku kata is taught:
- Nunchaku no kata