Chinese martial arts practice can encompass a large number of weapons. The 18 Arms of Wushu (Shaolin version) are the Axe, Broadsword, Cane, Dart, Flute, Fork, Hand Dart, Kwan Dao, Monk’s Spade, Pen, Pu Dao, Sickles, Spear, Staff, Sword, Thorn, Tri-Point Double Edged Sword, and Whip. Does anyone know what a Pu Dao is?
There is also a class of ancient improvised weapons. For example, once used for threshing grain were repurposed into a deadly weapon of self-defense - the nunchaku. In the video below, a community in China responds to an attack on a local woman, with an impromptu display of modern improvised weaponry.
The video of the woman being robbed by two armed men on motorcycles is obviously disturbing, but wait for the bike to come slowly rolling back into view of the security camera. The town has apparently long trained at the secret Ikea Kwoon, so it goes all Crouching Footstool, Hidden Cabinet, with the weapons getting progressively bigger, and bigger.
Wait for the music to start, it’s good.
The only comparison that leaps to mind is from the documentary, A Bronx Tale, where the community joins in after the hoods are finished with a biker gang. Please note the expert use of furniture for defense.
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The Lessons
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The community in the top video deserves a collective medal for looking out for each other. In most western cities, the first reaction would be to get out a cell phone and record it. At best, someone might call the police. The world needs more of this Chinese sense of community.
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Remember this rule well: “Never bring a club to a dresser fight.”
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Anyone complaining that this is not Kung Fu doesn’t know what the word really means. The translation of Kung Fu from Chinese to English is something like “skill acquired through great effort." And this crowd sure showed great effort! A more accurate term than Kung Fu for Chinese Martial Arts would be Wushu.
And 4. Contrary to popular belief, Asian communities are not littered with nunchakus, swords, and throwing stars. Furniture is a legitimate weapon in Asian martial arts. Here, an actual ninja uses a chair and newspaper to thwart an attacker with a really weird haircut.
And here, in the Karate Kid documentary series, Jackie Chan uses furniture very effectively.
So it only makes sense that when word went out - “some guys robbed Xiu of her purse” - the response was swift and determined:
“I’ll get my cardboard box!”
“I’ll get a cupboard!”
“Alert Haitao, he’ll bring his dresser!”
Now you may ask yourself, where did all the furniture come from? The answer, obviously, is Funky Chinatown. Duh.
In all seriousness, hopefully you get a sense of pride and respect watching this. There are still people somewhere who care enough about members of their community to, without hesitation, risk injury or worse. There are still people somewhere who care enough about a fellow human in need to say, “Mess with one of us, and you’re gonna get a cupboard upside the head!”
The world needs more of it.