What is the name of the Rattan Ring used in FMA?

R

ruel

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Nov 22, 1999
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Does anyone know what this weapon is called? It's a ring with a diameter about the size of a large dinner plate, made of rattan, which itself is about 2" in diameter.

I saw it at the local Martial Arts supply store and thought it would be an interesting addition. I remember seeing it featured several years ago in an article ("Inside Kung Fu"?), which is how I know it's Filipino. If I recall correctly, it is used for disarms and a variety of arm- and wristlocks.
 
I have never seen the rattan ring as part of FMAs. It is part of Chinese martial arts, Wing Chun in particular. Some practitioners (James Keating for instance) incorporate it into their FMA training as well. Perhaps it is part of some of the Kuntao systems in southeast asia, but again, I have never seen it as part of native FMAs. As far as the name...I've only ever seen it called "rattan ring." :-)

Keith

------------------
"Walk softly and carry a big stick!"
Teddy Roosevelt
 
Thanks Keith; now that I reflect back I do seem to remember that other parts of the issue were devoted to Silat & Kuntao. I've seen a metal ring of similar proportions (one even appears on statues of the Chinese god Ne Zha) but not a rattan one.

I'd really like to know how to use one. It doesn't look like a weapon, so might be acceptable to carry around campus in a backpack, yet when used properly could probably offer decent defense against a knife or club.
 
Ruel, it's a fun tool, I have one and the Comtech tape. It's about 1" thick actually, some use it as a weapon, I think either Billy Bryant or David James teaches with it as well as Amante P. Marinas. It also is taught as an back up weapon to support the blade, sai/tjabang, or stick.

Here's the hoop review http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000547.html
 
Thanks, Smoke! I guess these rings, whatever they're called, are a recent introduction from Kung Fu after all.

I'd like to see that tape someday. The only time I've seen the ring in use was in the Chinese movie 'Heavenly Legend,' where the child-god Ne Zha throws it and it flies around, bouncing off a hundred people and killing them all, very much like Xena's Chakram! Needless to say, it was a less than realistic technique.
 
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