page_title: Stage combat
section_title: Asian weapons
hierarchical_section_title: Stage combat / Types of weapons used in stage combat / Melee weapons / Asian weapons
caption_attribution_description: English: Line art drawing of a man holding a battle-axe.
context_page_description: Stage combat, fight craft or fight choreography is a specialised technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. With the advent of cinema and television the term has widened to also include the choreography of filmed fighting sequences, as opposed to the earlier live performances on stage. It is closely related to the practice of stunts and is a common field of study for actors. Actors famous for their stage fighting skills frequently have backgrounds in dance, gymnastics or martial arts training.
context_section_description: Other weapons like a katana, a Japanese style sword that is curved on one side, and nunchucks can also be used onstage. These require more detailed study of Japanese martial arts. Stage combat versions of nunchucks can be purchased that are foam instead of wood, thereby reducing the danger to the actors.
caption: Example of a battle axe.
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