What weapons are used in traditional tae kwon do?

Answer 1

"Most Schools that I've encountered don't focus on weapons. Tae Kwon Do is largely an unarmed combat style, focused on powerful kicks, and hand/fist strikes. The only weapon that I've ever seen used in Tae Kwon Do is the Bo Staff. That's not to say that other weapons aren't used, just that weapons in general aren't common."

i would say that this answer is pretty much right on, but i would add that nunchakus are also a popular weapon in many other Martial Arts as well as tae kwon do

Answer 2

Taekwondo is a martial art that incorporates many aspects of self defense. The more accurate way to phrase the question is "Do Taekwondo practitioners use weapons?" The answer to that would be "Yes." Which weapons depends on the instructor, and their knowledge and ability to teach weapons.

Some weapons taught in connection with Taekwondo training include:

staff, tonfa, nunchakku, 3-sectional staff, sai, kama, knives, bayonets, swords, and various firearms.

Some experts consider Taekwondo to be an "unarmed" system of self defense, while others believe that anything and everything is potentially a part of Taekwondo. If it works - - use it!

Background info:

Taekwondo was organized and named in 1955, with a tumultuous transitional period through the 1960's. The curriculum was based primarily on ancient Korean fighting skills, combative training, and native culture and traditions. Taekwondo itself is designed to be a method of "unarmed combat" (no weapons), however the reality is that weapons are always included as needed. In ancient times, Korean soldiers trained with staffs, spears, swords, and were skilled in Archery. Any weapon that was popular at the time would have become a subject for training since it was necessary to defend against an attacker with such a weapon (e.g.: sticks, staffs, nunchakku, sai, knives, and swords). These are not automatically a part of every Taekwondo school's curriculum, but they were utilized among some Taekwondo instructors (past and present), and are not excluded from options. If it can be used in a fight, it is part of Taekwondo.

In modern times, many Taekwondo instructors adopt the same philosophy.

Early practitioners in Korea had to train with rifles, bayonets, knives, swords, and whatever else was used in combat, or might be encountered in street defense. Today, many Taekwondo instructors are not properly trained in weapons, and either leave them out all together, or attempt to introduce them to their students without formal training. Guns can be an important part of modern Taekwondo for learning to use a gun in combination with Taekwondo skills, or disarming an armed attacker. Once again, proper training in this area should be sought by the instructor who offers weapons training.

Answer 3

Some consider Taekwondo to be an "unarmed" system of self defense, while others believe that anything and everything is potentially a part of Taekwondo. If it works - - use it!

Taekwondo was organized and named in 1955, with a tumultuous transitional period through the 1960's. The curriculum was based primarily on ancient Korean fighting skills, combative training, and native culture and traditions. Taekwondo itself is designed to be a method of "unarmed combat" (no weapons), however the reality is that weapons are always included as needed. In ancient times, Korean soldiers trained with staffs, spears, swords, and were skilled in archery. Any weapon that was popular at the time would have become a subject for training since it was necessary to defend against an attacker with such a weapon (e.g.: sticks, staffs, nunchakku, sai, knives, and swords). These are not automatically a part of every Taekwondo school's curriculum, but they were utilized among some Taekwondo instructors (past and present), and are not excluded from options. If it can be used in a fight, it is part of Taekwondo.

In modern times, many Taekwondo instructors adopt the same philosophy.

Early practitioners in Korea had to train with rifles, bayonets, knives, swords, and whatever else was used in combat, or might be encountered in street defense. Today, many Taekwondo instructors are not properly trained in weapons, and either leave them out all together, or attempt to introduce them to their students without formal training. Guns can be an important part of modern Taekwondo for learning to use a gun in combination with Taekwondo skills, or disarming an armed attacker. Once again, proper training in this area should be sought by the instructor who offers weapons training.

Answer 4

Martial arts are the skills used in combat. That means that all weapons are fair game.

Most people think of martial arts as the various disciplines coming out of Asia, many of which are primarily done without weapons, but there are a number of specialized weapons often associated with those skills.

Answer 5

Traditional karate does not use weapons, it is an empty handed martial art. However, many karate-ka also learn kobudo, which is the use of weapons. Many schools have blurred the distinction so it appears to be all part of the same thing.