Three Short Sticks

I wanted to make a set of what, in Japanese is called "san-setsu-kon nunchaku" (three piece nunchaku).  In his book, "Nunchaku: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense," Fumio Demura touts the benefit of a three-piece nunchaku as being that "With all nunchaku constructed of more than two pieces, one of the pieces can be cut or torn off and the nunchaku will still be an effective weapon" (Demura, 15).  Thus, there is a definite practical combat rationale for the design.

I suppose in Korean, one might refer to this design as a "Sam Chul Bong" (three short sticks).  While some of the techniques of blocking, striking, and whipping remain the same as with the two-sectioned set, many of the techniques for changing grip must be modified to allow for the additional length.  A benefit of the three-sectioned set is that it allows you a stick with which to block or strike at the same time as another for whipping.

For my design, I chose to utilize the more rounded ends I chose for the first set I made to reflect the fluidity of movement required to effectively wield a flexible weapon.  I took advantage of the fact that this set would have three sections in what I chose to carve into the sticks.  In Han philosophy, there is the realm of Heaven, that of Earth, and the Human Being, who bridges the two.  Heaven is represented by a circle, Earth by a square, and a triangle stands for the Human Being.  Thus, the two end pieces feature a circle and a square while the center piece that joins them displays a triangle motif.

As per usual, each stick was treated with a wood hardening agent and then lightly sanded.  I selected a cherry stain to give the sticks a warm, earthy visual appeal.  Following finishing the sticks with polyurethane, I also added a bit of hardware in the form of antique-styled furniture tacs.  Three tacs circle each stick, again reflecting the theme of three (Heaven, Earth, Human Being), adding aesthetic appeal as well as additional combat practicality.

Game of Death

It was recently one of my best friends' birthday.  I will withhold his name here as he isn't particularly a fan of birthdays... meaning he isn't a fan of the fact that he has one.  Indeed, I never really wish him a "happy birthday," rather I tell him "happy de-canting day" or just "happy (pause) day."  So, not that he wanted a gift (as that would remind him that he does, in fact, have a birthday) I decided that I would make him a pair of Tahn Do Liga.

He is also a big fan of Bruce Lee.

As such, I designed the pair after the iconic ones Bruce Lee had in the never completed "A Game of Death."  This pair was designed to match the track suit Lee wore in film - simple, and not reflecting the style (emphasis on this word) of uniform from any tradition of martial art.  This reflected Lee's overall philosophy of martial arts.

For those of you not familiar with "A Game of Death," Lee's outfit was paid homage by B's motorcycle suit in "Kill Bill, Volume 1" - bright yellow, with two black stripes down the side.  Thus, for this pair of Ii Chul Bong, I carved two grooves near the end of each stick, painted the sticks bright yellow, and the grooves black.  Over the paint, I applied a polyurethane finish to allow for protection of the paint against wear and moisture, and for smoothness of grip.

Now, for those purists among you, I know - the sticks on Bruce Lee's 'chucks were tapered.  However, I am limited by my current set of equipment (influenced by space and budgetary limits) - meaning lack of lathe.  So this pair was not able to be tapered.

That said, I was pleased with the outcome.  And so was my friend.  Happy Birthday, Dan!  (Ooops!  I said your name ; ) )

white belt

I believe that when one engages in any act of creation, one ought pay attention to every possible detail one can.  Weaving together consideration of functionality, aesthetic quality, and symbolic value can require strict focus and effort, but, to me, it is what makes any artifact well-crafted and beautiful.

For the first pair of nunchucks I made, I attempted to integrate a number of considerations.  As it was the first pair I made, I did not apply stain to the surface.  The thought here was that this reflected the same thought behind the first belt one receives in martial arts being a white belt.  It is pure, clean, representing a blank slate.

I also decided that, as my first creation, I ought offer it as a gift to another.  The person to whom I gave this pair was my martial arts master.  In this sense, I felt it to be an expression of gratitude for all the instruction and care given to me by my master, and to show the development I have undergone as her student, further showing the progress for which I was expressing thanks.

Having decided this, I decided upon what to carve upon each stick of the weapon.  On one, I carved the initials of the school founded by my master, "TTF."  On the other, I carved the Korean hangul for "Taekwondo," the art imparted to students of that school.  These carvings being connected symbolizes the inseparabilty of the one from the other, and the power resultant from their connection.