Wushu apart from bare-handed skills, weapon wushu is also used in the practice of this form of Chinese martial art.

Wushu and weapon wushu is among China's most well kept secrets chinese martial art. It is an important component of the cultural heritage of China, with a rich content that has remained untarnished over the centuries. Literally translated, "wu" is military, "shu" is art. Wushu and its weapon wushu therefore mean the art of fighting - a form of Chinese martial art.

Today, wushu has been organized and systematized into a formal branch of study into a performance art by the Chinese. Its emphasis has shifted from combat to performing art, and it is practiced and taught in martial art school for achieving health, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition.

To describe wushu, it is best to understand the philosophy of its teaching. Every movement must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism. The beauty of every movement, the difficulty factor, and the scientific training methods are the song of the elements that set it apart from other art. Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional weapon. In short, it is the most exciting martial art to be seen, felt, and ultimately practiced.
"Wushu" is the correct term for all Chinese form of martial art, therefore kung fu and wushu was originally the same. During the last thirty years, it was modernized so that there could be a universal standard for training and competing in this form of art. Consequently, it has become an athletic and aesthetic performing art and competitive sport, while "kung fu" or traditional wushu remains the traditional fighting practice.

It is usually recommended that the practitioner has a solid foundation in traditional bare-handed art before embarking on weapon training. Each particular weapon requires specific, specialized training for each style of wushu, as there is a diverse range of methods for utilizing and wielding a weapon. Briefly, the 18 weapon are:

Weapon wushu

1. Broad-sword

2. Lance

3. Rapier

4. Halberd

5. Hatchet

6. Battle-axe

7. Shovel

8. Fork

9. Jointed bludgeon

10. Truncheon

11. Hammer

12. Harrow

13. Trident

14. Staff

15. Long-blade spear

16. Cudgel

17. Dagger-axe

18. Wave-bladed spear

Wushu, and other forms of weapon exist in the Chinese martial art practice and anything can be turned into a weapon if needed. For example, the broad-sword may appear as a 3-pointed 2-edged sword or as a short or long handled sword and each weapon requires stealth.

Page topic – wushu