Three-section staff

Three-section staves, also known as three-piece rods, were a type of Kara-Turan martial arts melee weapon. Some considered it to be a member of the flail family of weapons, due to having similar origins.

Description
A three-section staff was composed of three sections of hard wood that were of equal length,  typically measuring around  in length. These sections were connected at their ends by either chain, leather, or rope.

Weaponology
A three-section staff required two hands to use. The weapon was considered useless in the hands of those who weren't properly trained in its use. They could be used to strike at an opponent, block their attacks, or to catch and break an opponent's weapon.

History
Much like how the threshing flail later developed into the flail, the three-section staff originally developed as an agricultural tool for threshing grain and over time became increasingly utilized as a weapon. Eventually, nunchaku were developed from them.

Classes

 * Three-section staves were a commonly utilized weapon among monks.
 * Ninjas were known to utilize three-section staves.
 * Shugenja were known to utilize three-section staves.

Individuals

 * The aging shugenja Ce-ishi was proficient in the use of three-piece rods.
 * The shugenja adventurer T'o Fang Jio was known to wield a three-piece rod and was considered to be quite deadly with it.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Swords of the Daimyo • Night of the Seven Swords • Ronin Challenge • Ninja Wars