Weapons

Traditionally Wing Chun has only two weapons, namely Bart Cham Do or butterfly knives and Luk Dim Boon Gwun or six and a half point pole. However, Grand Master Ting has introduced the Nunchaku into the association.

Bart Cham Do

The butterfly knives are really short broadswords, and the colloquial term for the knives derives from the way in which they are displayed when hung on a wall. The hilt has hand protection and is also rounded at the top to allow a change of grips when in use. This allows the knives to be used at close randge in techniques closely resembling the elbow attacks. The blade is weighted to allow for transfer of weight to the tip. The knives are used in a pair and the form is such that they alternate, never crossing near a practioner's own arm, as this would be a dangerous practice when is use. The knives work like hands and when applied they intercept or bar and cut the first available target then move quickly to finish an opponent. They are never twirled nor spun about and are always held with the blades extended outwards towards the opponent. All practioners must learn to wield, control and change the two knives economically and efficiently while stationary and while moving in all directions. The form when demonstrated is flowing ad graceful with the power being delivered via a chopping or slicing movement. The form is very functional and practical and frighteningly effective.

Luk Dim Boon Gwun

The six and one half point pole was introduced to Wing Chun via an amalgamation of the knowledge and skills of Wong Wah Bo and Leung Yei Tei. It was Leung Yei Tei, taught by Master Chi Shin, who was very will skilled in the use of the pole, that brought Wing Chun its first weapon. The pole used in Wing Chun is traditionally around 8 feet long with a slight taper rather like a snooker cue. The thinner end being the striking end. The tip can be used to devastating effect and with accuracy and focus it is a formidable weapon. It is not practical to use the shaft of the pole to strike as it allows the opponent to see the movement more easily judge its distance and to counter strike. The pole should whenever possible be used to thrust thus offering very little of it to be seen. The pole is held with the hands shoulder width apart and is nver spun or twirled but employs motions that require the practioner to send power from their body through the wood out the stiking point and into the target. Rather that the usual Wing Chun stance, the pole uses what is known as the "Horse Stance". The pole form uses techniques such as pointing, dispelling, whipping and two-motion that cover all basic angles for both offense and defense.

Nunchuka

Nunchuka is not a traditional Chinese Kung Fu weapon. It comes from Okinawa, Japan. In 1429 King SHo Hashi united the three territories of Okinawa. To ensure that he could keep control of the new kingdom, and stem any chance of a revolution he passed a declaration that no-one but the kings and army and nobles were allowed to carry any weapons. Naturally this meant ordinary people were helpless against soldiers and bandits. Okinawa was subsequently invaded by Japan and the people forced to pay high taxes etc. Villagers started to use every day tools as weapons, today know as Kobudo or Kobujtsu. Weapons such as the staff, tonfa and nunchukas. Original nunchukas were curved and difficult to use. Later the nunchuka became more refined with the straightening of the handles. Today the nunchuka is a very popular weapon and has been incorporated into many martial arts. Grand Master Ting is fully conversant with this weapon and introduced to Wing Chun providing us with a short range effective and very popular weapon.