Nunchaku
Traditional Japanese weapon
雙節棍 · ヌンチャク · 쌍절곤
- Type
- cold weapon, farmer weapon, prohibited weapon, melee weapon
The nunchaku (, US: ) (Japanese: ヌンチャク); Chinese 双节棍, Shuāngjiégùn), also referred to as dual-section stick, nunchuks (), nunchucks, chainsticks, or chuka sticks in English, is a traditional East-Asian martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks (traditionally made of wood), connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain or a rope. The sticks are approximately 30 cm or 12 inches long, and the rope 7.6 cm or 3 inches long. A person who has practiced using this weapon is referred to in Japanese as nunchakuka (ヌンチャク家, nunchakuka).
The nunchaku is most widely used in Southern Chinese kung fu, Okinawan kobudo and karate. It is intended to be used as a training weapon, because practicing with it enables the development of quick hand movements and improves posture.
Modern nunchaku may be made of metal, plastic, or fiberglass rather than the traditional wood. Toy versions and replicas, not intended to be used as weapons, may be made of polystyrene foam or plastic. Possession of this weapon is illegal in some countries, except for use in professional martial arts schools.
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q204206 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.