Three section staff

The sanjiegun, or three-section staff (三節棍 , sān jié gùn, shawm jeet gwam), is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staffs connected by metal rings or rope. The weapon is also known as a sansetsukon (三節棍) in Japanese. A more complicated version of the Two Section Staff, the staves can be spun to gather momentum resulting in a powerful strike, or their articulation can be used to strike over or around a shield or other defensive block.

Historically made of white oak or Chinese red maple, modern staves are constructed from rattan, bamboo, various hardwoods or aluminum. For optimum fit, each of the three sticks should be about the length of the combatant’s arm and have a combined diameter that easily fits in the hand. A sanjiegun is typically constructed from three wooden staves with a diameter of convert|1.25|in|mm. These are connected by chains of rings, usually of five inches (127 mm) ; modern versions use ball-and-socket joints. The total length of the weapon is about the same as the Chinese staff, the gùn and greater than that of the single staff known in Japanese as a bō; Its larger size allows for a increased reach compared to the Japanese weapon. Many of the techniques are similar to that of the staff, so spinning moves over the head and behind the back, such as helicopter spins and neck rolls, can be practised with a regular staff. The three-section staff has the advantage of being used both as a long-range weapon or a short-range weapon. Acting as an extension of the users arm, the three sectional staff can strike, block, choke, stab, sweep legs, and whip, often with different sections of the staff acting at the same time. The chains or binding ropes of the staff are used to entangle an opponent and their weapons.

One significant weakness of chained weapons in general is a lack of control. The strike of a sanjiegun ends not upon impact but on recoil; even the greatest martial arts masters must use valuable time regaining control of their weapon or avoiding its strikes.

History

The three section staff is said to have originated from Master Sanda of the Honan Temple it was made popular by Chao Hong-Yin, the first Emperor of the Song Dynasty (960 A.D.). [http://flyingeagleacademy.com/samjitgwun.html Description] ] Before becoming emperor, he was a Shaolin trained martial artist known for being an adept bodyguard and escort. Once while guarding a lady of the royal family and her entourage on a journey to Beijing they were attacked by five bandits. Chao quickly turned and struck the first attacker in the head with his "gun" (staff). Such was the force of the blow that it broke Chao's favorite weapon into two pieces - one long and one short. The bandits were awestruck by Chao's skill and power and fled into the forest. Naturally, Chao was displeased with the condition of his precious staff but in the next town he had the local blacksmith reconnect the two pieces with iron rings and created a "Dai-Si-Jo" or "two-section big stick" also known as a "Big Sweeper".

Unfortunately, the long section of the staff had been weakened during the attack and it soon broke in two again. Once again Chao had the broken sections rejoined to mimic the sān jié gùn or "three section staff."

Chao realized the devastating potential of the weapon -- it was small and easily carried and concealed, it could be used for stabbing or striking like a broadsword, it could be used as a whip and it was very useful for joint-locking techniques.

Chao's fame with this weapon spread and soon other escorts and bodyguards were also using the three section staff. It soon became the signature weapon of escorts who would carry a banner with a picture of the weapon as a warning to potential thieves that the person or persons being guarded were well-protected by a highly-trained martial artist.

The first written account of the three-section staff is found in the literary work known as the Sanguo Zhi, also known by its English name "Records of Three Kingdoms".Fact|date=July 2007

Techniques

There are 10 primary techniques that characterize the "Three-Section Staff".

Wu-Lung-Bai-Mei (烏龍擺尾 "Black Dragon Swings His Tail") - a powerful technique in which one end of the Staff is held and the other sections are swung furiously from front to back or from back to front and slammed against the ground.

Bat-Wong-Tit-Jang - "Iron Elbow" is a technique in which the two end sections are held and the iron-ringed joints are used to strike the opponent.

Dak-Seh-Gun-Mei (毒蛇捲尾 "Poison Snake Coils His Tail") - a powerful technique in which one end of the Staff is held in one hand and the middle section in the other hand then the free end is spun in front of the body.

Wu-Dip-Seung-Fei (蝴蝶雙飛 "Double Flying Butterfly") - a vertical figure-eight flower in front of the body.

Suet-Fa-Koi-Ding (雪花蓋頂 "Snowflakes Covering the Top") - a circular strike in which one end is held and the Staff is swung over the head.

Moi-Fa-Hoi-Fong (梅花開妨 "Plum Blossom Open Blocking") - an "over the head" flower similar to Tau-Ding Fa in which the staff is held in the middle section and spun over the chest and back while alternating leaning back and then forward..

Jor-Yao-Lao-Sing (左右流星 "Left and Right Falling Star") - a powerful technique similar to the Long Staff technique Wang-Sow-Gwun. The "Three-Section Staff is held with both hands by the middle section then by turning the waist the weapon is whipped from side to side destroying anything in its path.

Poon-Lung-Gwun - "Coiling Dragon" is a technique in which the Staff is swung and allowed to coil around the body.

Lung-Fu-Wui - "Dragon-Tiger Grab" is a versatile technique in which the two end sections are held one in each hand. While one is used for blocking the other is used for striking. The middle section may also be used to block or strike in harmony with the two end sections.

Lo-Shu-Poon-Gwun - "Coiling Around the Tree Roots" is a low sweeping attack used to take an opponent off of his feet.

References