In this classic text, martial arts icon Fumio Demura demonstrates with hundreds of detailed photographs and illustrations the fluid striking, blocking, twisting, and pinching techniques of this simple but versatile weapon. He delves into the nunchaku's history, explores its complex relationship with karate, and explains how to care for the weapon. No study of karate would be complete without nunchaku training, and no karate should be without this must-have manual.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Only the most basic of techniques:
I have yet to find a decent book on nunchaku and this book is no exception. It covers only the most basic of techniques and that is my main issue with this book. What it covers is covered very well with good explanations and clear pictures but nowhere does this book indicate that it is only an introductory text to nunchaku. There is a follow-up to this book called advanced nunchaku which I haven't read but I believe that this is also fairly basic. I believe that this is a hole in martial arts texts that is... more info
Good BASIC Kobudo book:
Fumio Demura's basic books on Kobudo (I have Nunchaku, Bo, Sai, Tonfa) are good. They include some historical data, basic stances and grips, as well as useful drills to train grips, blocks and thrusts. This book on basic Nunchaku, however, does not present a Kata with the weapon, as the Bo book does. Some more on Japanese nomenclature would have been great, also. Still, I recommend it for beginners.
great introduction to an endless art:
The pictures could not be easier to follow, the clarificatons and applications of each strike, swing, block or movement are nicely explained and demonstrated. Also the self defence application section is a great way to remain motivated. A beginners' form would be sweet to have. But its a great buy. And yes, I think you must have some martial art experience before you pick up this book.
Hmmm...:
this is a biased review... that's why I gave it 3 stars (average)... I'm not really interested in karate anymore and when I was, I didn't learn anything from reading this book. Unless you practice karate or a martial art requiring the use of Nunchaku, you're probably not going to learn anything from this book that you couldn't pick up from watching your favorite Bruce Lee movie...
