Nunchaku consist of two short wooden or synthetic sticks connected at one end by a short cord or chain, allowing them to be swung, rotated and used to strike or trap. They originate in Okinawan kobudo, where accounts vary on whether the design developed from farming tools or from other everyday implements, and they remain one of the more widely recognised traditional weapons internationally.
Because the sticks swing freely and can strike the user as easily as an opponent if mishandled, nunchaku training generally starts slowly, with basic grip changes and controlled swings practised well before any faster or paired technique is attempted. Foam or padded practice nunchaku are commonly used by beginners, and even experienced practitioners tend to warm up carefully before faster sequences, given how easily a misjudged swing can cause injury.
As with other kobudo weapons, nunchaku are usually introduced only after some grounding in basic kihon movement and coordination. See our weapons training guide for safer training approaches.