WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A SHORT STICK ENTER TEUK GONG MOO SOOL (Part 8) By Master Guy Edward Larke
TGMS like many other Korean systems employs a wide number of weapons (A). What differs is that they are a mix of ancient, modern and archaic. One of the more practical, albeit unusual is called the bhan-tae. The Chinese character bhan 反 means, “returning,” while tae 跆 represents, “to smash”. If it sounds a bit like a boomerang, there’s a reason. Trained it can function in a similar way as one.
Basically, it is a short, thin octagonal stick with a long cord or rope looped around one end (B). Although it can be used as just a sturdy stick, its strength comes from the end of the cord being gripped so as to spin it like a whip or to suddenly snap it outwards at an opponent who is just expecting a technique from a short distance. Typically, it is snapped out It can prove to be a very rude surprise to an attacker who thinks he has a reach advantage over you. Additionally, two can be quickly connected (C)to produce a flail with tremendous reach and power. The momentum developed greatly exceeds that of the Okinawan nunchaku.
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