The group I train with took a crack at interpreting Kobu Nunchaku and I think we came up with some good stuff. I made a video to demonstrate the beginning section. I can make videos of the other sections if people are interested. I'd love to hear any questions, comments, or even snide remarks. Thanks.

Here's the whole kata performed by Nishiuchi Mikio Shihan

OMG!!!WHAT ARE YOU DOING???

NO FINGERTIP SPINNING??? NO HOLDING THE "CHUCKS" CLOSE TO THE ROPE??? NO FLIPS?

Are you telling me there's somebody that can hold and move a nunchaku properly???

 

*THUD*

Is there no end to the madness when somebody does a weapon properly???

My theory is this is a beginner kata so the finger spins, flips, and how to sync it to epic music will be in the next one.

11 hours ago, ModernHojoUndo said:

My theory is this is a beginner kata so the finger spins, flips, and how to sync it to epic music will be in the next one.

Please God, NOOOOO!!!

 

Thank you for sharing!

Kobudo is rarely looked at through a practical lens, since most people are not carrying around bo, sai, tonfa, etc. on a daily basis for self-defense (although many of the techniques for those weapons can be transferred to other, everyday items). Nunchaku are especially neglected on this front, as they typically get more exposure as tricking implements than actual weapons. While I didn't learn these particular applications for the nunchaku, my late Sensei did teach a number of grappling techniques using them, implementing them for leverage and pain compliance, similar to what you have going on in this video, in addition to their striking applications.

3 hours ago, Wastelander said:

my late Sensei did teach a number of grappling techniques using them, implementing them for leverage and pain compliance

Are there any videos of his applications? I'd love to see them!

It is refreshing to not see a bunch of spinning and twirling done with nunchaku.  Thanks for sharing the videos.

On 9/3/2025 at 11:32 AM, ModernHojoUndo said:

Are there any videos of his applications? I'd love to see them!

We only put a couple examples up on YouTube that are easy to find. There are some clips from classes and seminars floating around that show a couple more applications, but they were posted to various social media platforms, so they're harder to find.

 

I remember seeing those before, and they are great videos.  Even in their brevity there's lots to see.  Thanks for sharing those @Wastelander.

On 9/3/2025 at 11:32 AM, ModernHojoUndo said:

Are there any videos of his applications? I'd love to see them!

Think of the nunchaku as a sort of "nut cracker", but with a rope/chain. There's an incredible amount of potential power there. Any traditional art that uses the nunchaku in its arsenal should be able to show you.