The Bong as a Weapon

The bong (staff) was one of the first weapons used by early man from every culture on earth. In Korean culture, staffs used for walking sticks or for carrying heavy objects across the shoulders, could also be used as weapons so were also called a bong.

The advantages for using a Bong as a weapon and for use by martial artists today are:

1) The Bong is very easy to obtain or make

2) It gives the user a psychological advantage as in a sense of security.

3) Intensive training is not required for instant usage by the practitioner.

4) The use of the Bong will extend the reaching distance of the practitioner.

5) Since all directions of a circle can be covered quickly, it is excellent for multi-directional combat.

6) Greater force can be used by the practitioner.

7) The artistry of the movements by modern martial artists is attractive to observe.

ETHICS WHEN USING A WEAPON IN MARTIAL ARTS

1) The weapon should have an historical and heritage value. (as opposed to using a rock, bone or any blunt instrument you can find lying around)

2) The weapon is considered an extension of the user’s body and should be cared for as an additional limb.

3) In modern martial arts the weapon should not be used as a weapon of destruction but as a tool for advancing the mind, body, and spirit.

4) The purpose of the weapon is to assist in compliance with the concept of the martial arts ethical code.

5) Weapons are only to be used against another weapon, not against an empty handed opponent.

6) The weapon is effective only with proper training.

7) The weapon, and use, is a symbol of the user’s honour, pride, and responsibility.

BONG TYPES

There are many different types of bong being used today. Different lengths (see Terminology), different thickness and different materials used to make them. The materials they are made of are wood, bamboo, plastic, graphite and metal (usually aluminium). The type you use is personal choice depending on what the bong will be used for. You can get different shapes such as round, square (four sided), hexagonal (six sided), or octagonal (eight sided). The advantage of the multi sided bong is that the edges of the bong give a better cutting impact. The modern martial artist mainly uses a round bong as the cutting edge is not required. You can also get tapered bongs (thinner at each end than the middle). The advantage of this type of bong is its manoeuvrability (better balanced) for speed and also the thin ends provide better penetration when used for spear attacks.

TERMINOLOGY

1) Moo Ki = Weapon (or martial tool or instrument)
Moo = martial. Ki = instrument
It is interesting to note that the Korean symbols represent two words “ stop” and “ weapon-war “. So it represents that a weapon is not actually for fighting, but, rather to avoid or stop a fight.

2) Bong Techniques = Bong Sul

3) Bong Patterns = Bong Hyung

4) Bong = Staff or club

5) Jang bong = Long staff – head height

7) Joong bong = Medium size staff – chest height

8) Dan bong = Short staff – 18 to 24 inches long – mainly used against knife or other short staff attacks.

9) Bong Hyung Il Bu = Bong pattern No. 1

10) Bong Hyung E Bu = Bong pattern No. 2

11) Bong Hyung Sambu = Bong pattern No. 3

12) Chun kul Jaseh = Front stance

13) Hu kul Jaseh = Back stance or fighting stance

14) Kee ma Jaseh = Horse riding stance

15) Bong Ha dan Mahk ki = Bong low block

16) Bong sang dan mahk ki = Bong high block

17) Bong ssang soo sang dan mahk ki = Bong two handed high block ( above head)

18) Bong kwan Kong kyuck = Bong spear attack ( or strike)

19) Bong Ha dan Kong kyuck = Bong Low attack (or strike)

20) Bong sang dan Kong kyuck = Bong high attack (or strike)

BONG GRIPS

1) Two handed grip. This is the standard grip used by Korean stylists. Both palms facing down approx. shoulders width apart. This is very powerful and can be applied to all techniques.

2) One handed grip. Hold the Bong with one hand on any part of the Bong, depending on intended use.

4) Cross hand grip. This is used for complicated combinations and is very effective when changing from one direction to another.

5) Reverse grip. One palm faces down and the other faces up. (in Choon bee postion) This is advantageous when shifting into multiple techniques, such as blocking with one end of the
bong and striking with the other simultaneously.

6) End of Bong grip. The is used when needing the entire length of the bong for remote ( long distance) attacks.