The Truth About Bruce Lee’s Weapon of Choice
Did you know that the famous martial artist and actor Bruce Lee never actually used a nunchaku in his movies? That’s right, the weapon that he swung around so skillfully and impressively was actually a different kind of flail called a tabak-toyok. This weapon originated from the Philippines and was introduced to Lee by his friend and student Dan Inosanto, who was also a Filipino martial arts expert. In this post, we will explore the history and features of the tabak-toyok, and how it differs from the nunchaku.
The tabak-toyok, colloquially known as “chako”, is a weapon consisting of two wooden or metal rods connected by a chain or rope. It has shorter handles and a longer chain than the Okinawan nunchaku, making it more suitable for long range combat. The handles are usually 8 to 9 inches long, and the chain is about 7.5 inches long. The handles are usually round. The tabak-toyok is mainly used for striking, blocking, trapping, and disarming opponents. It can also be used as a flail, swinging it around to create momentum and force.
The tabak-toyok is one of the many weapons used in the Filipino martial arts, collectively known as arnis, eskrima, or kali. These arts are based on the use of various weapons, such as sticks, knives, swords, spears, and even improvised tools. The tabak-toyok is considered to be one of the most versatile and effective weapons in arnis, as it can adapt to different ranges and situations.
The nunchaku, on the other hand, is a weapon consisting of two wooden or metal rods connected by a shorter chain or rope, making it more suitable for close range combat. The handles are usually 12 to 14 inches long, and the chain is about 4 inches long. The handles may be round or octagonal. The nunchaku is mainly used for striking, blocking, and choking opponents. It can also be used as a flail, but it requires more skill and coordination to control.
The nunchaku is one of the many weapons used in the Okinawan martial arts, such as karate and kobudo. These arts are based on the use of various weapons that were originally derived from farming tools, such as sickles, hoes, and threshing flails. The nunchaku is considered to be one of the most difficult and dangerous weapons in Okinawan martial arts, as it can easily injure the user if not handled properly.
So how did Bruce Lee end up using a tabak-toyok instead of a nunchaku in his movies? According to Dan Inosanto, Lee was fascinated by the Filipino martial arts and wanted to learn more about them. Inosanto taught Lee how to use various weapons, including the tabak-toyok. Lee was impressed by the speed and power of the tabak-toyok, and decided to incorporate it into his own style of fighting. He also thought that it would look more impressive on screen than the nunchaku, which was already widely used by other martial artists in movies.
Lee first used the tabak-toyok in his movie Way of the Dragon (1972), where he fought against Chuck Norris in the Colosseum. He later used it again in his unfinished movie Game of Death (1978), where he fought against several opponents in a pagoda. In both movies, Lee demonstrated his mastery of the tabak-toyok, showing off his agility, accuracy, and creativity with the weapon.
The tabak-toyok became one of Lee’s signature weapons, along with his fists and feet. It also became a popular weapon among his fans and followers, who wanted to emulate his skills and style. However, many people mistakenly called it a nunchaku, either because they did not know the difference or because they thought it sounded cooler. This confusion persists to this day, as many people still refer to Lee’s weapon as a nunchaku.
However, now you know better. The next time you watch Bruce Lee’s movies or see someone using a flail-like weapon, you can tell them that it is not a nunchaku but a tabak-toyok. You can also share with them some of the interesting facts and history behind this weapon. And who knows? Maybe you will inspire them to learn more about the Filipino martial arts and culture.
