READER QUESTION Wagner J. dos Santos, Campo Grande, MS
ILLUSTRATES legendary toad
EDITION Felipe van Deursen
There are hundreds. actually the kung fu it is not a martial art per se, but a generic term for the different types of fighting in China. Among the most famous are wing chun, popularized by Bruce Lee. According to Walter Roberto Correia, professor at USP’s School of Physical Education and Sport, each weapon performs a specific function within each modality. As these weapons emerged in different social, political and historical contexts, their use also had to adapt. “Today, their function is to promote the development of personal and body awareness so that, in some way, these experiences are useful in everyday life”, he explains.
ELITE GALLERY
The main weapons of kung fu
– (Legendary Frog/Weirdworld)
1. Baton (gun)
Called “father of weapons”, because it was from him that the others were developed. It is between 1 and 2.1 m. Some are flexible and contain metal accents to deal more damage. It can be made of oak or iron and measures between 1 and 2 m
2. Spear (qiang)
Also called “king of weapons”, it is usually made of privet, a Chinese tree. It has a metal tip and a horse fur trim. The length is usually equal to the pitcher’s height with the hand raised, but there are models up to 3.6 m
3. Saber (dao)
Known as “the general of arms”, he has 3,600 years of history. It has a grip lined with rope and a disc that separates it from the blade and prevents rainwater or blood from running into the hand.
4. Sword (jian)
“The Gentleman in Arms” was developed in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), the last phase before the unification of China. Old models were 85 cm long, 10 cm smaller than the current ones. Today’s sword weighs up to 1.1 kg
Guan Yu, 3rd-century general, considered protector of Chinese martial arts
– (Legendary Frog/Weirdworld)
5. Trident
It was more used for hunting than for battle.
6. Ax
More elaborate than the European one, it has embossed designs
7. Apple Bar
With crossed blades, it has a long head.
– (Legendary Frog/Weirdworld)
8. Archery
Initially, the bow fired pellets, a rigid non-explosive sphere
9. Chain whip
Joining of several jointed iron or steel pieces, usually with a dart-shaped tip
10. Beast
It has variations such as the crossbow attached to the sole of the shoe, for surprise attacks.
Consultancy Luiz Carlos da Silva, assistant coach of the Brazilian wushu team (CBKW)
Sources Books White gunsby Antonio Luiz MC Costa, Inside Kungfuby Renshi Nathan Chlumsky, and Ancient Chinese Weaponsby Jwing-Ming Yang