Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Weapon?

Question

This is a movie about bruce lees life, very good, made in about 1993. I was wondering what type of weapon he uses when he fights those englsih sailors in the beginning of the movie. They almost look like nunachucks but the chain is alot longer and the weapon fits right in his back pocket? Anyone know?

Answer 1

While there is very good history with regard to different weapons from other responses, the weapon actually portrayed in this movie is simply the pull chain to a toilet! Bruce Lee was active in street fighting, and this was a favorite weapon of his to carry, similar to American street gangs carrying bike chains back in the fifties and sixties. He did employ this technique in real life according to books and eye-witness accounts.

Answer 2

The Surujin or Suruchin is of of the tradional weapons of Okinawan Kobudo. It comprises a 2-3 meter long rope with a weight tied to each end. Historically used by fishermen to allow them to pull their boats in where they might not be able to paddle, the word suru refers to the hemp rope originally used, as this material is rot- and mold-resistant in marine environments, and jin (or chin) refers to a weight as used to hold down rice paper while writing. Based on its fishing origins, the first suruchin were most likely made from flat rocks with holes drilled in them.

In more recent times, specifically the early part of the 20th Century and end of the 19th Century, the Surujin appeared as a weighted lightweight chain varying in length between 6 and 9 feet in length. At one end was a weight and the other a metal spike. The weight was used to throw at an opponent or to ensnare a weapon and the length of chain was then either pulled to unbalance the enemy or used to entwine them using techniques similar to that of hojojutsu. The spike was then employed to disable or administer a coup de grâce. It belongs to the broad class of chain weapons.

These are quite similar to the ninjutsu manriki.

Answer 3

In answer to beatchanter's question: He didn't, it was probably the idea of the movie's director who probably thought it would look good on film if Bruce was shown to have used it in a fight : P Besides, according to Dan Inosanto, it was he who introduced the nunchucks to Bruce, who thought it was useless for self defense, but decided it would look good on film, so he took it up and featured it in his movies.

Answer 4

Yes, Judo is right. One of my question about that movie was why he had an understanding of Okinawan Kobudo before he learned it in real life.

Answer 5

This "JudoMofo" knows his sh@#.
He's right.