Tabak-Toyok

Last updated

The tabak-toyok (sometimes colloquially referred to as chako) is a Filipino flail weapon consisting of a pair of sticks connected by a chain. It is closely related to the Okinawan nunchaku, the primary difference being that the Filipino version tends to have shorter handles and a longer chain than its Okinawan counterpart, making it better suited for long range. Each handle is approximately 8–9 in (20–23 cm) long. The length of the rope or chain that connects the handles is approximately 4–7.5 in (10–19 cm), but the weapon's ideal size depends on the user. Because the small size of the tabak-toyok allows for easy concealment and bigger size allows for control, it is often used in street brawls in the Philippines.

Filipino martial artist Dan Inosanto teaches tabak-toyok techniques as part of his kali curriculum. He introduced the weapon to his friend and student, the martial artist and actor Bruce Lee. [1] Lee would later become famous for using the similar nunchaku in his films.

Related Research Articles

<i>Nunchaku</i> Traditional East Asian weapon

The nunchaku, "nunchucks", "chainsticks", or "chuka sticks" in English) is a traditional East-Asian martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks, connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain or a rope. It is approximately 30 cm or 12 inches (sticks) and 2.5 cm or 1 inch (rope). A person who has practiced using this weapon is referred to in Japanese as nunchakuka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filipino martial arts</span> Fighting methods devised in the Philippines

Filipino martial arts (FMA) refer to ancient and newer modified fighting methods devised in the Philippines. It incorporates elements from both Western and Eastern Martial Arts; the most popular forms of which are known as Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new dynamics for combat in the islands now making up the Philippines. The Filipino people developed battle skills as a direct result of an appreciation of their ever-changing circumstances. They learned, often, out of necessity on how to prioritize, allocate and use common resources in combative situations. Filipinos have been heavily influenced by a phenomenon of cultural and linguistic mixture. Some of the specific mechanisms responsible for cultural and martial change extended from phenomena such as war, political and social systems, technology, and trade and practicality.

<i>Tonfa</i> Okinawan kobudō weapon

The tonfa is a melee weapon with its origins in the armed component of Okinawan martial arts where it is known as the tunkua. It consists of a stick with a perpendicular handle attached a third of the way down the length of the stick, and is about 15–20 inches (380–510 mm) long. It was traditionally made from red or white oak, and wielded in pairs. The tonfa is believed to have originated in either China, Okinawa or Southeast Asia, where it is used in the respective fighting styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Inosanto</span> Filipino-American martial arts instructor

Dan Inosanto is an American martial arts instructor and actor. Inosanto holds Instructor or black belt level ranks in several martial arts. He has studied traditional Okinawan karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Kenpo, Shoot wrestling, Systema, Filipino martial arts, and Jeet Kune Do. He was one of three people who were appointed to teach at one of the three Jun Fan Gung Fu institutes under Bruce Lee, the other two being Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee. After Bruce Lee's death, Inosanto became the principal spokesperson and historian for Jeet Kune Do.

<i>Bō</i> East Asian staff weapon

A (棒) is a staff weapon used in Okinawa. are typically around 1.8 m (71 in) long and used in Okinawan martial arts, while being adopted into Japanese arts such particular bōjutsu. Other staff-related weapons are the , which is 1.2 m (47 in) long, and the hanbō, which is 90 cm (35 in) long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Club (weapon)</span> Blunt weapon

A club is a short staff or stick, usually made of wood, wielded as a weapon or tool since prehistory. There are several examples of blunt-force trauma caused by clubs in the past, including at the site of Nataruk in Turkana, Kenya, described as the scene of a prehistoric conflict between bands of hunter-gatherers 10,000 years ago.

<i>Kusarigama</i> Traditional Japanese weapon

A kusarigama is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of a kama on a kusari-fundo – a type of metal chain (kusari) with a heavy iron weight (fundo) at the end. The kusarigama is said to have been developed during the Muromachi period. The art of handling the kusarigama is called kusarigamajutsu.

<i>Kama</i> (tool) Japanese farming implement and weapon

The kama is a traditional Japanese farming implement similar to a sickle or billhook used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon. It is often included in weapon training segments of martial arts. Sometimes referred to as kai or "double kai," kama made with intentionally dull blades for kata demonstration purposes are referred to as kata kai.

<i>Kusari-fundo</i> Japanese weapon of a chain with weights

Kusari-fundo is a handheld weapon used in feudal Japan consisting of a length of chain (kusari) with a weight (fundo) attached to each end of the chain. Various sizes and shapes of chain and weight were used as there was no set rule on the construction of these weapons. Other popular names are manrikigusari (萬力鏈) or just manriki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flail</span> Agricultural tool used for threshing

A flail is an agricultural tool used for threshing, the process of separating grains from their husks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Okinawan kobudō</span> Weapons systems of Okinawan martial arts

Okinawan kobudō (沖縄古武道), literally "old martial way of Okinawa", is the weapon systems of Okinawan martial arts.

<i>Heroes of the East</i> 1978 Hong Kong film

Heroes of the East, also known as Challenge of the Ninja, Shaolin vs. Ninja, and Shaolin Challenges Ninja, is a martial arts film produced in 1978. It starred Gordon Liu and was directed by Lau Kar-Leung. Lau Kar-Leung has a cameo role as So Chan, a master of Zui Quan. The film is notable for portraying Japanese martial arts alongside the more typical kung fu used in most Hong Kong martial arts films.

A chain weapon is a weapon made of one or more heavy objects attached to a chain, sometimes with a handle. The flail was one of the more common types of chain weapons associated with medieval Europe, although some flails used hinges instead of chains.

A chainlock, also known as a smiley, is an improvised weapon which consists of a length of chain or strong cloth attached to a large lock or other piece of metal. The chainlock is mainly used in areas where other hand held weapons, such as knives, are not readily available.

Tadashi Yamashita is a Japanese American martial artist and actor.

Tabak is a surname and may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyeongon</span> Weapons used by the Joseon army

The Pyeongon is a nunchaku-like weapon used by the Joseon army and is first mentioned in a martial arts manual called Muyesinbo. The weapon was inspired by the farmer's flail to thresh rice with. In the West it mostly known as a two-section staff.

Shinpo Matayoshi was a martial artist who lived in Naha, Okinawa, during the 20th century.

References