Sword

A sword is a long, edged piece of forged metal, used in many civilizations throughout the world, primarily as a cutting or thrusting weapon and occasionally for clubbing. A sword fundamentally consists of a blade and a hilt, typically with one or two edges for striking and cutting, and a point for thrusting. The basic intent and physics of swordsmanship have remained fairly constant through the centuries, but the actual techniques vary among cultures and periods as a result of the differences in blade design and purpose.

  

Katana

The katana is a type of Japanese sword, also commonly referred to as a “samurai sword”. In the strictest sense, the term katana in Japanese is applied to any kind of single-edged sword, of any origin; contrary to common belief outside Japan, the Japanese word does not necessarily refer to a Japanese sword. But incorrectly or habitually, some Japanese and Western sword enthusiasts define katana as the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older “tachi” style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length of greater than 60 cm (23.6 inches). The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands. It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan, and has become renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability.

Bokken

A bokken is a Japanese wooden sword used for training, usually the size and shape of a katana, but sometimes shaped like other swords.

Nunchaku

Nunchaku also known as nunchucks, chucks or chain sticks is a traditional Okinawan weapon and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. The word nunchaku is generally believed to derive from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese term for two section staff. But it may come from nun, meaning “twin” and shaku, the approximate length of each arm of the nunchaku.

 

Possession of nunchaku is illegal in a number of countries including Norway, Canada, Russia and Spain. It is considered a prohibited weapon. In Germany the nunchaku is illegal since April 2006, when it was declared as a strangling weapon. In the United Kingdom for many years it was thought legal for anyone over the age of 18 to buy and possess Nunchaku, although public possession is not allowed unless transporting between a place of training or private addresses. However, following a case brought by Strathclyde Police and the Procurator Fiscal heard at Glasgow Sheriff Court on the 10th February 2010, a Sheriff ruled that nunchaku fell into the category of a prohibited weapon as defined by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 Section 141 (n). If, and only if it were upheld by a senior court, this ruling would have the effect of making it an offence to import, manufacture or sell nunchaku in the UK. It would also criminalize hundreds of thousands of martial arts enthusiasts who own a set of nunchaku. Their usage was, in the 1990s, censored from broadcasts of American children’s TV shows, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The UK version of the Soul Blade videogame was also edited, replacing a character’s nunchaku with a three-sectioned staff. In Hong Kong, it is illegal to possess metal or wooden nunchaku connected by a chain. It can be possessed by obtaining a license from the police as a martial arts instructor. Any rubber nunchaku is allowed. However, possession of nunchaku in Mainland China is legal.

Legality in Australia is also determined by individual state laws. In New South Wales, the weapon is on the restricted weapons list, and thus can only be owned with a permit.

Legality in the United States varies at state level, e.g., personal possession of nunchaku is illegal in New York, Arizona, California and Massachusetts, but in other states possession has not been criminalized. In New York, attorney Jim Maloney has brought a federal constitutional challenge to the statutes that criminalize simple in-home possession of nunchaku for peaceful use in martial-arts practice or legal home defense. As of March 2009, the case was awaiting the filing of a petition for certiorari for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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