Nunchaku in Contemporary Culture: Influence, Parts, and Legal Controversies

The Nunchaku, also known as “dual-section stick”, “nunchuks”, “nunchucks”, “chainsticks”, or “chuka sticks” in English, and as Shuāngjiégùn (双节棍) in Chinese, is a traditional weapon used in East-Asian martial arts. It consists of two sticks (typically made of wood) connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain or a rope. The sticks are approximately 30 cm (12″) in length, while the rope is about 1 inch thick. In Japanese, a person who has mastered the use of this weapon is referred to as a Nunchakuka (ヌンチャク家, nunchakuka).

The nunchaku, also known as nunchucks, serves primarily as a training weapon in Southern Chinese Kung Fu, Okinawan Kobudo, Karate, Korean Hapkido, Eskrima, and Filipino martial arts.

It facilitates the development of rapid hand movements and improved posture through consistent practice. Despite its traditional construction from wood, modern variations can be crafted from metal, plastic, or fiberglass and even exists as non-weapon toy versions made of polystyrene foam or plastic.

The nunchaku’s application varies across different martial arts styles. In Okinawan forms, the sticks are primarily used for gripping and locking, while Filipino martial artists employ striking techniques similar to those used with a stick. Korean systems combine defensive and offensive moves, incorporating both locking and striking techniques. Additionally, proprietary systems of nunchaku are utilized in Sembkalah, an Iranian Monolingual Combat Style, enabling lethal blows for both defense and assault.

The origin of the nunchaku is uncertain. One traditional explanation suggests it was originally used by Okinawan farmers as a flail for threshing rice, while the similar construction of the tabak-toyok, a weapon native to the northern Philippines, implies a common lineage. In the 1970s, the nunchaku experienced a surge in popularity due to its portrayal in martial arts movies, particularly through the performances of Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto. Bruce Lee notably showcased his expertise with the nunchaku in several scenes in the 1972 film “Fist of Fury,” and further explored nunchaku techniques and other kobudo disciplines in collaboration with Tadashi Yamashita in the 1973 film “Enter the Dragon.” The nunchaku also became iconic as the signature weapon of the character Michelangelo in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise, further solidifying its enduring prominence in contemporary culture.

Parts of Nunchaku

Nunchaku, also known as “dragon stick” (“龍棍”) for the striking stick and “yang stick” (“陽棍”) for the handle in China, consist of two sections of wood connected by a cord or chain, although variations may include additional sections of wood and chain. The ideal design ensures that each piece is long enough to protect the forearm when held in a high grip near the top of the shaft, with both ends generally of equal length.

However, asymmetrical nunchaku exist, resembling a traditional flail. The connecting rope or chain should be just long enough to allow the user to lay it over their palm, with the sticks hanging comfortably and perpendicular to the ground.

To maintain proper balance and facilitate advanced techniques, such as overhand twirls, it is essential for the weight to be balanced towards the outer edges of the sticks. Traditional nunchaku are typically crafted from a strong, flexible hardwood such as oak, loquat, or pasania, ensuring structural integrity and optimal performance.

It is worth noting that nunchaku lacking such structural strength may result in reduced impact and pose a risk of snapping back at the user, potentially causing self-injury during training.

Primarily wielded in one hand, the nunchaku can also be dual-wielded. It is utilized for delivering blunt force with its hardened handles, as well as for immobilizing or disarming an opponent by wrapping its chain around an attacking weapon. Furthermore, the training regimen associated with nunchaku has been observed to enhance hand speed, improve posture, and condition the practitioner’s hands, establishing it as a valuable training weapon.

Are Nunchucks/Nunchaku Legal?

Nunchucks, also known as nunchaku, have been a topic of legal debate across different states in the United States. As of the time of writing, only one state Massachusetts – explicitly outlaw nunchucks. However, the legality of nunchucks in the remaining 49 states remains uncertain.

In the 1970s, the popularity of Bruce Lee movies in the United States triggered a series of state-level nunchaku bans, with New York, Arizona, California, and Massachusetts being affected. Although the ban in New York was deemed unconstitutional in the 2018 case Maloney v. Singas, and Arizona lifted its prohibition on nunchaku in 2019, Massachusetts remains the sole state with an active nunchaku ban. According to Massachusetts law, nunchucks are considered “dangerous weapons,” and unauthorized possession may result in criminal charges. Despite this, exceptions exist for their use in martial arts.

California had also previously prohibited nunchaku, but the ban was repealed in 2021, while Arizona had considered nunchaku to be a “prohibited weapon” until 2019. The current laws in various states and local ordinances continue to regulate the carrying of nunchaku in specific situations, such as on school grounds, in government facilities, or when carried as a concealed weapon in public. These regulations reflect the ongoing impact of Bruce Lee’s influence on the cultural and legal landscape in the United States.

“Section 12. Whoever manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or exposes for sale, an instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a dirk knife, a switch knife or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, slung shot, sling shot, bean blower, sword cane, pistol cane, bludgeon, blackjack, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person when thrown, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends; or metallic knuckles or knuckles of any other substance which could be put to the same use and with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months; provided, however, that sling shots may be manufactured and sold to clubs or associations conducting sporting events where such sling shots are used.”

 The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
General Laws ,Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 12

The nature of nunchucks, often consisting of two metal, hard plastic, or wooden sticks, can lead to complexities in their legal status. For instance, in Florida, a permit is required to carry a concealed “billy,” a term synonymous with “baton” or “billy club.” The use and possession of nunchucks can vary widely across states, with some allowing them only in specific settings, such as martial arts studios.

The legal disputes surrounding nunchucks culminated in a significant decision by a federal judge, Judge Pamela K. Chen of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In a recent ruling, Judge Chen deemed the prohibition of nunchucks to be unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, asserting that nunchucks are protected under the right to keep and bear arms. This ruling marked a long-awaited victory for advocates of nunchuck rights, including Mr. Maloney, whose legal battle showcased the enduring controversy surrounding these traditional martial arts weapons.

The historical context of nunchaku as defensive weapons was pivotal in Judge Chen’s decision, underscoring their significance akin to firearms in relation to the Second Amendment. Furthermore, the ruling went beyond overturning the ban on nunchucks, addressing related laws preventing their manufacture or transportation in New York.

Mr. Maloney, a prominent figure in the legal fight for nunchuck rights, emphasized that the perception of nunchucks as a public safety threat, which influenced the legislation banning them, is unfounded in the contemporary landscape. He argued that the portrayal of nunchucks in popular culture, shaped by iconic figures like Bruce Lee and fictional characters such as the Ninja Turtles, was a contributing factor to the unreasonable suppression of civil rights. His stance reflects a broader reassessment of the portrayal and regulation of traditional martial arts weapons, calling for a more balanced and fact-based approach that aligns with contemporary realities.

Relevant Case Law

• Tennessee case on concealed carry
• Fake Nunchaku on Holloween
• NYS District Court says the ban is unconstitutional