Nunchaku is used by the populations of China and Japan as a combat weapon, usually  25-35 cm in length, made of solid material, connected by a flexible joint (cord or chain). The rods are traditionally made of wood. Modern nunchucks can also be made of metal, plastic or fiberglass. The cord is connected to the rods (sticks) by threading it through mutually perpendicular channels in the ends of the rods (sticks), and the chain - using metal fasteners. Nunchucks connected by a cord are more popular, as some chains that do not have a welded connection and their fastenings are torn under extreme loads.

Nunchaku is most widely used in martial arts such as Okinawan kobudo and karate, and is used as a training weapon because it allows you to develop faster hand movements and improves posture. In some countries, possession of these weapons is illegal, with the exception of their use in martial arts schools. In the past it was used by the Japanese villagers as defense against a samurai attack.