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Although many Taekwondo dojangs do not teach the use of weapons, weapons are still an integral part of any martial art. This weapons topic discusses traditional martial arts weapons and contemporary street weapons, other than firearms or explosives. Weapons may be classified as defensive or offensive. A defensive weapon is used primarily for defense against an attack. It is not intended to harm the attacker seriously; rather, it is intended to discourage further attack. An offensive weapon may be used for defensive purposes but it is used with the intent to harm the attacker seriously to discourage further attack or to render the attacker unable to continue the attack.

Weapons training is a specialized area of training that is most appropriately taught after basic empty hand skills are mastered. Since the body and mind move and control the weapon, it is appropriate first to have good coordination. Although it is possible to develop the body and learn weapon usage simultaneously, as some systems such as Escrima and Kali do, it is easier to develop basic body coordination first and then add weapons training.

Weapons training is important for several reasons:

• It preserves a rich history of combat prior to the advent of modern firearms

• It develops the body and mind in ways empty hand training alone does not.

• It teaches how to defend against weapons (blade, club, etc.).

• It is much more flowing in its movements. In a series of Taekwondo or karate techniques, a pause may occur. You do not have this when you have a weapon that is usually in constant motion.

• It increases coordination, especially eye-hand coordination. It also teaches you to trust your body, allowing it to do as it has been trained.

• Weapon techniques may be used in self-defense. You may not use the exact weapon, but the training learned may be transformed into use with common objects. A golf club may be used instead of a bo or a short stick nay be used as a sai.

In many cultures, prior to firearms, knowledge of a weapon was part of an educated man's learning. In other cultures, only certain classes of people learned a specific weapon. For example, in Japan, only the Samurai class was permitted to carry the Katana. In China, scholarly gentlemen tended to carry the "jian" (saber) whereas soldiers tended to carry the "dan dao" (single broadsword). Preserving this history and knowledge of the culture is important. One remembers something much better after doing it than after merely reading about it.

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