Although
there are more than 400 different types of ancient Chinese
weapons and many usages of each, there are only about
18 standard weapons that you will usually see in any
Chinese Martial Art Styles. Sometimes a practitioner
will combine two weapons in a form or do a variation
involving two of the same weapons. Some instances of
forms often seen in competition are: Broadsword, straight
sword, spear, staff, Kwan-sword, double-swords, double
straight-swords, double hook-swords, double-ended spear,
nine-section whip, rope-dart, chained hammer, 3-sectional
staff, 2-sectional staff, daggers, double short-staff,
etc.
There are four basic
kungfu weapons, two
short ones and two
long ones. All of the
other weapons derive
from these four. These
basic four bear a
slight northern
accent. Some southern
styles emphasize only
two basic weapons: the
long pole and the
butterfly swords. We
will, however, honor
these basic four,
since they are more
universal.
Long Weapons
Long weapons are generally taller than the user and require
both hands. Most of these are pole arms, and kung fu has
hundreds of variations of pole arms alone. Every weird
pole arm head has a different Chinese name, some of which
are redundant and overlapping.
Short Weapons
Short weapons can be used one handed, like a sword. Generally
speaking, these are personal side arms. Many of these
when used in pairs are twin weapons, although our twin
weapon list is limited to those weapons that are only
used as twins. Furthermore, some short weapons have soft
versions.
Soft
Weapons
Soft weapons, or
flexible weapons, have
a joint or are
attached to a rope.
These weapons require
great skill, since
they are always
changing. Many of
these can also be
hidden weapons, since
they are very compact
when collapsed.
Twin
Weapons
Twin weapons are two mirror-image weapons, one held in
each hand. In modern kung Fu, the practice of twin weapons
balances out the left hand with the right, since many
styles have a predetermined dominance.
Hidden and Flying Weapons
Hidden weapons are a fascinating sub-topic of Chinese
weaponry. Used to expand the range of offense beyond close
combat, a great number of ingenious hidden weapons were
created to surprise the enemy. Small enough to be hidden
in a sleeve or robe, and particularly useful in a surprise
attack or when you are outnumbered, these are generally
small weapons, with the exception of the bows.
