|
Weapons of Kung Fu
The
play of weapons is a very important aspect in Chinese kung fu / wushu.
There are many weapons, some of them well known, and some others
rarely seen. The best known are of course the stick, known as the
ancestor of all weapons, the broadsword, known as te marshal of al
weapons, the straightsword,known as the gentleman of all weapons, and
the spear, known as the king of all weapons.
All
of the weapons have their own history, techniques and characteristics.
Some of the weapons come straight from the ancient Chinese battlefield,
while others have evolved from basic tools, used by the peasants to
defend themselves against robbers and wild animals.
Click on the
weapons-picture to enlarge...
JIAN
- The
straightsword is probably the most widely used of all weapons. Every
style of Chinese kung fu / wushu uses it. Already 2000 years ago the
use of the straightsword became common in Chinese society. The
movements of the straightsword are very elegant, graceful, and
flexible. The straightsword has in China become sort of a symbol for
refinement.
 DAO
- The broadsword is also one of
the most used weapons in Chinese kung fu / wushu. It's also one of the
most typical kung fu / wushu wepons. The Chinese use the expression
that the broadsword is 'fierce like a tiger'.
GUN
- The stick is the basic weapon of kung fu / wushu. That means that
all the weapons were developed from it. There are lots of ways to use
the stick, even techniques from other weapons.
QIANG
- The spear was the major weapon on the battle fields in the ancient
times. The handle of the spear is made of very flexible wood, making
it very difficult to break it. On the tip of the spear there is (red)
hair attached. This used to be the hair of a horse in ancient times,
to absorbe blood of the adversary to prevent the stick from becoming
slippery, and thus losing the control over it.
(Click here to read
a Dutch article
about the spear...)
DA DAO
- The Da Dao is a halberd. It exists of a long handle, with a big
blade attached to it. It's a heavy weapon, demanding a lot of strength
to handle it.
PU DAO - The Pu
Dao is better known as the 'Kwan Dao' in China, meaning the broadsword
of general 'Kwan'. It exists of a sabre with a long handle.
SAN JIE GUN
- The three sectional staff is probably the most difficult weapon to
handle. It exists of three short sticks, attached with small iron
rings.
JIU JIE BIAN -
The nine sectional whip, which exists of nine iron sections, a handle,
and an iron point which can be used to hurt the adversary, is one of
the flexible kung fu / wushu weapons. In practise it's seen being used
twirling it around, but it can of course also be used to for example
block attacks from the adversary, or to strangle the adversary.
 SHENG BIAO - The
rope dart is probably also one of the most difficult weapons to
handle. It's made of a long rope, with a dart attached to it. The
techniques exist of twirling it around, folding it around the body and
the limbs, and than suddenly shouting out the dart.
SHUANG GUO
- The twin hooks are always used in a pair. They are also known as 'tiger
hooks'. The techniques are very graceful. Sometimes the two hooks are
clinged together, making the weapon twice as long.
Click on the Pictures to enlarge...
 |
