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- From: Matthew Weigel <mcweigel+@cs.cmu.edu>
- Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts,rec.answers,news.answers,rec.martial-arts.moderated
- Subject: rec.martial-arts FAQ part 2 of 4 (LONG)
- Summary: Descriptions of the various martial arts ("A" to "K")
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- rec.martial-arts FAQ - Part 2 of 4
- ==================================
-
- ======================================================================
-
- Part 2 of 4
-
- 16) What are the different Arts, Schools, Styles?
-
- 16.1) Aikido 16.2) Baguazhang 16.3) Brazilian JiuJitsu
- 16.4) Bushidokan 16.5) Capoeira 16.6) Cha Yon Ryu
- 16.7) Cuong Nhu 16.8) Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujustu
- 16.9) Gatka 16.10) Hapkido 16.11) Hwa Rang Do
- 16.12) Iaido 16.13) Judo 16.14) Jujutsu
- 16.15) Kajukenbo 16.16) Kali/Escrima/Arnis
- 16.17) Karate 16.18) Kendo 16.19) Kenjutsu
- 16.20) Kenpo (Amer.) 16.21) Kempo (Kosho Ryu)
- 16.22) Kempo (Ryukyu) 16.23) Kobudo 16.24) Krav Maga
- 16.25) Kyudo
-
- Part 3 of 4:
-
- 16.26) Lua 16.27) MMA/NHB 16.28) Moo Do
- 16.29) Muay Thai 16.30) Ninjutsu 16.31) Praying Mantis
- 16.32) ROSS 16.33) SAMBO 16.34) Sanshou
- 16.35) Savate 16.36) Shogerijutsu 16.37) Shuaijiao
- 16.38) Silat 16.39) Tae Kwon Do 16.40) Taijiquan
- 16.41) Western MA 16.42) Wing Chun 16.43) Wushu/Gongfu
- 16.44) Xingyiquan 16.45) Yoseikan Budo
-
- ===================================================================
-
-
- 16) What are the different Arts, Schools and Styles?
-
- This is a question with many, many answers---some could say that there
- are as many styles as there are martial artists. So, we'd like to
- introduce some Schools and Styles that will give you a basic
- familiarity with the world of martial arts. The Arts are listed
- alphabetically.
-
- Important note: This information is true to the best of the knowledge
- of those who wrote the descriptions of the various arts. If your
- style has only a small write up or none at all and you have enough
- information on it to make a good FAQ entry, write it up in the form
- shown below and send it to mcweigel@cs.cmu.edu.
-
- If you have a question about a particular style or its writeup, one
- option is to look in the next section for who contributed to the art's
- writeup, and send e-mail to them. Otherwise, comment to
- mcweigel@cs.cmu.edu.
-
-
- 16.1) Aikido
-
- (contributors: Eric Sotnak - esot@troi.cc.rochester.edu,
- Alex Jackl - ajackl@avs.com)
-
- Intro:
-
- Aikido emphasizes evasion and circular/spiral redirection of an
- attacker's aggressive force into throws, pins, and immobilizations as
- a primary strategy rather than punches and kicks.
-
- Origin: Japan.
-
- History:
-
- Aikido was founded in 1942 by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Prior to
- this time, Ueshiba called his art "aikibudo" or "aikinomichi". In
- developing aikido, Ueshiba was heavily influenced by Daito Ryu
- Aikijujitsu, several styles of Japanese fencing (kenjutsu),
- spearfighting (yarijutsu), and by the so- called "new religion":
- omotokyo. Largely because of his deep interest in omotokyo, Ueshiba
- came to see his aikido as rooted less in techniques for achieving
- physical domination over others than in attempting to cultivate a
- "spirit of loving protection for all things." The extent to which
- Ueshiba's religious and philosophical convictions influenced the
- direction of technical developments and changes within the corpus of
- aikido techniques is not known, but many aikido practitioners believe
- that perfect mastery of aikido would allow one to defend against an
- attacker without causing serious or permanent injury.
-
- Descriptions:
-
- The primary strategic foundations of aikido are:
- (1) moving into a position off the line of attack;
- (2) seizing control of the attacker's balance by means of
- leverage and timing;
- (3) applying a throw, pin, or other sort of immobilization
- (such as a wrist/arm lock).
-
- Strikes are not altogether absent from the strategic arsenal of the
- aikidoist, but their use is primarily (though not, perhaps,
- exclusively) as a means of distraction -- a strike (called "atemi") is
- delivered in order to provoke a reaction from the aggressor, thereby
- creating a window of opportunity, facilitating the application of a
- throw, pin, or other immobilization.
-
- Many aikido schools train (in varying degrees) with weapons. The most
- commonly used weapons in aikido are the jo (a staff between 4 or 5
- feet in length), the bokken (a wooden sword), and the tanto (a knife,
- usually made of wood, for safety). These weapons are used not only to
- teach defenses against armed attacks, but also to illustrate
- principles of aikido movement, distancing, and timing.
-
- Training:
-
- A competitive variant of aikido (Tomiki aikido) holds structured
- competitions where opponents attempt to score points by stabbing with
- a foam-rubber knife, or by executing aikido techniques in response to
- attacks with the knife. Most variants of aikido, however, hold no
- competitions, matches, or sparring. Instead, techniques are practiced
- in cooperation with a partner who steadily increases the speed, power,
- and variety of attacks in accordance with the abilities of the
- participants. Participants take turns being attacker and defender,
- usually performing pre-arranged attacks and defenses at the lower
- levels, gradually working up to full-speed freestyle attacks and
- defenses.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- There are several major variants of aikido. The root variant is the
- "aikikai", founded by Morihei Ueshiba, and now headed by the founder's
- grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba. Several organizations in the United States
- are affiliated with the aikikai, including the United States Aikido
- Federation, the Aikido Association of America, and Aikido Schools of
- Ueshiba.
-
- Other major variants include:
-
- * the "ki society", founded by Koichi Tohei,
- * yoshinkan aikido, founded by Gozo Shioda,
- * the kokikai organization, headed by Shuji Maruyama,
- * "Tomiki aikido" named after its founder, Kenji Tomiki.
-
-
- 16.2) Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang)
-
- (Contributors: William Breazeal - breazeal@tweedledee.ucsb.edu,
- Mike Martelle - 3mbm@qlink.queensu.ca)
-
- Intro:
-
- Baguazhang is one of the three orthodox "internal" styles of Chinese
- martial art (the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan).
- Translated, Bagua means "Eight Trigram". This refers to the eight
- basic principles described in the ancient metaphysical treatise the
- Yijing (I-Ching), or "Book of Changes". Bagua is meant to be the
- physical manifestation of these eight principles. "Zhang" means "palm"
- and designates Baguazhang as a style of martial art which emphasizes
- the use of the open hand over the closed fist. Baguazhang as a
- martial art is based on the theory of continuously changing in
- response to the situation at hand in order to overcome an opponent
- with skill rather than brute force.
-
- Origin: Northern China.
-
- History:
-
- Although there are several theories as to the origins of Baguazhang,
- recent and exhaustive research by martial scholars in mainland China
- concludes without reasonable doubt that the art is the creation of one
- individual, Dong Haichuan (or Dong Haiquan). Dong was born in Wen'an
- County, Hebei Province about 1813. Dong practiced local martial arts
- (which reportedly relied heavily upon the use of openhand palm strikes)
- from his youth and gained some notoriety as a skilled practitioner. At
- about 40 years of age, Dong left home and travelled southward. At some
- point during his travels Dong became a member of the Quanzhen
- (Complete Truth) sect of Taoism. The Taoists of this sect practiced a
- method of walking in a circle while reciting certain mantras. The
- practice was designed to quiet the mind and focus the intent as a
- prelude to enlightenment. Dong later combined the circle walking
- mechanics with the boxing he had mastered in his youth to create a new
- style based on mobility and the ability to apply techniques while in
- constant motion.
-
- Dong Haichuan (or Dong Haiquan) originally called his art "Zhuanzhang"
- (Turning Palm). In his later years, Dong began to speak of the Art in
- conjunction with the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) theory expoused in the
- Book Of Changes (Yijing). When Dong began teaching his "Zhuanzhang"
- in Beijing, the vast majority of his students were already
- accomplished martial artists in their own right. Dong's teachings were
- limited to a few "palm changes" executed while walking the circle and
- his theory and techniques of combat. His students took Dong's forms
- and theories and combined them with their original arts. The result is
- that each of Dong's students ended up with quite different
- interpretations of the Baguazhang art.
-
- Most of the various styles of Baguazhang found today can be traced
- back to one of several of Dong Haichuan's (or Dong Haiquan's) original
- students. One of these students was a man called Yin Fu. Yin studied
- with Dong longer than any other and was one of the most respected
- fighters in the country in his time (he was the personal bodyguard to
- the Dowager Empress, the highest prestige position of its kind in the
- entire country). Yin Fu was a master of Luohanquan, a Northern Chinese
- "external" style of boxing before his long apprenticeship with Dong.
- Another top student of Dong was Cheng Tinghua, originally a
- master of Shuaijiao (Chinese wrestling). Cheng taught a great number of
- students in his lifetime and variations of his style are many. A third
- student of Dong which created his own Baguazhang variant was Liang
- Zhenpu. Liang was Dong's youngest student and was probably
- influenced by other of Dong's older disciples. Although Baguazhang
- is a relatively new form of martial art, it became famous throughout
- China during its inventor's lifetime, mainly because of its
- effectiveness in combat and the high prestige this afforded its
- practitioners.
-
- Description:
-
- Baguazhang is an art based on evasive footwork and a kind of
- "guerilla warfare" strategy applied to personal combat. A Bagua
- fighter relies on strategy and skill rather than the direct use of
- force against force or brute strength in overcoming an opponent. The
- strategy employed is one of constant change in response to the
- spontaneous and "live" quality of combat.
-
- Bagua is a very circular art that relies almost entirely on open hand
- techniques and full body movement to accomplish its goals. It is also
- characterized by its use of spinning movement and extremely evasive
- footwork. Many of the techniques in Bagua have analogs in other
- Northern Chinese systems;however, Bagua's foot work and body
- mechanics allow the practitioner to set up and execute these
- techniques while rapidly and smoothly changing movement direction and
- orientation. Bagua trains the student to be adaptable and evasive,
- two qualities which dramatically decrease the amount of physical power
- needed to successfully perform techniques.
-
- The basis of the various styles of Baguazhang is the circle walk
- practice. The practitioner "walks the circle" holding various postures
- and executing "palm changes" (short patterns of movement or "forms"
- which train the body mechanics and methods of generating momentum
- which form the basis of the styles' fighting techniques). All styles
- have a variation of the "Single Palm Change" which is the most basic
- form and is the nucleus of the remaining palm changes found in the
- Art. Besides the Single Palm Change, other forms include the "Double
- Palm Change" and the "Eight Palm Changes" (also known variously as the
- "Eight Mother Palms" or the "Old Eight Palms"). These forms make up
- the foundation of the Art. Baguazhang movements have a
- characteristic circular nature and there is a great deal of body
- spinning, turning and rapid changes in direction. In addition to the
- Single, Double and Eight Palm Changes, most but not all styles of
- Baguazhang include some variation of the "Sixty-Four Palms." The
- Sixty-Four Palms include forms which teach the mechanics and sequence
- of the specific techniques included in the style. These forms take the
- more general energies developed during the practice of the Palm
- Changes and focus them into more exact patterns of movement which are
- applied directly to a specific combat technique.
-
- Training:
-
- Training usually begins with basic movements designed to train the
- fundamental body mechanics associated with the Art. Very often the
- student will begin with practicing basic palm changes in place
- (stationary practice), or by walking the circle while the upper body
- holds various static postures (Xingzhuang). The purpose of these
- exercises is to familiarize the beginning student with the feeling of
- maintaining correct body alignment and mental focus while in motion.
- The student will progress to learning the various palm changes and
- related forms. The Sixty-Four Palms or other similar patterns are
- usually learned after some level of proficiency has been attained with
- the basic circle walk and palm changes. Some styles practice the
- Sixty-Four Palms on the circle while other styles practice these forms
- in a linear fashion. All of the forms in Baguazhang seek to use the
- power of the whole body in every movement, as the power of the whole
- will always be much greater than that of isolated parts. The
- body-energy cultivated is flexible, resilient and "elastic" in nature.
-
- In addition to the above, most styles of Baguazhang include various
- two-person forms and drills as intermediate steps between solo forms
- and the practice of combat techniques. Although the techniques of
- Baguazhang are many and various, they all adhere to the above mentioned
- principles of mobility and skill. Many styles of Baguazhang also
- include a variety of weapons, ranging from the more "standard" types
- (straight sword, broadsword, spear) to the "exotic." An interesting
- difference with other styles of martial arts is that Baguazhang
- weapons tend to be "oversized," that is they are much bigger than
- standard weapons of the same type (the extra weight increases the
- strength and stamina of the user).
-
- SUBSTYLES:
-
- Each of Dong Haichuan's (or Dong Haiquan's) students developed their
- own "style" of Baguazhang based on their individual backgrounds and
- previous martial training. Each style has its own specific forms and
- echniques. All of the different styles adhere to the basic principles
- of Baguazhang while retaining an individual "flavor" of their own. Most
- of the styles in existence today can trace their roots to either The
- Yin Fu, Zheng Dinghua, or Liang Zhenpu variations.
-
- Yin Fu styles include a large number of percussive techniques and fast
- striking combinations (Yin Fu was said to "fight like a tiger," moving
- in swiftly and knocking his opponent to the ground like a tiger
- pouncing on prey). The forms include many explosive movements and very
- quick and evasive footwork. Variations of the Yin Fu style have been
- passed down through his students and their students, including Men
- Baozhen, Ma Kui, Gong Baotian, Fu Zhensong, and Lu Shuitian.
-
- Zheng Dinghua styles of Baguazhang include palm changes which are
- done in a smooth and flowing manner, with little display of overt
- power (Zheng Dinghua's movement was likened to that of a dragon
- soaring in the clouds). Popular variants of this style include the Gao
- Yisheng system, Dragon style Baguazhang, "Swimming Body" Baguazhang,
- the Nine Palace system, Jiang Rongqiao style (probably the
- most common form practiced today) and the Sun Ludang style.
-
- The Liang Zhenpu style was popularized by his student Li Ziming
- (who was the president of the Beijing Baguazhang Association for
- many years and who did much to spread his art worldwide).
-
-
- 16.3) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
-
- (Contributor: Don Geddis - webmaster@bjj.org)
-
- Intro:
-
- Possibly the premier ground-fighting martial art. Made famous by Royce
- Gracie in the early UFCs in the mid-1990's, it specializes in
- submission grappling when both fighters are on the ground. Techniques
- include positional control (especially the "guard" position), and
- submissions such as chokes and arm locks.
-
- Origin:
-
- Brazil.
-
- History:
-
- In the mid-1800's in Japan, there were a large number of styles ("ryu")
- of jiu-jitsu (sometimes spelled "jujitsu"). Techniques varied between
- ryu, but generally included all manner of unarmed combat (strikes,
- throws, locks, chokes, wrestling, etc.) and occasionally some weapons
- training. One young but skilled master of a number of jiu-jitsu styles,
- Jigoro Kano, founded his own ryu and created the martial art Judo (aka
- Kano-ryu jiu-jitsu) in the 1880's. One of Kano's primary insights was
- to include full-power practice against resisting, competent opponents,
- rather than solely rely on the partner practice that was much more
- common at the time.
-
- One of Kano's students was Mitsuo Maeda, who was also known as Count
- Koma ("Count of Combat"). Maeda emigrated to Brazil in 1914. He was
- helped a great deal by the Brazilian politician Gasto Gracie, whose
- father George Gracie had emigrated to Brazil himself from Scotland. In
- gratitude for the assistance, Maeda taught jiu-jitsu to Gastao's son
- Carlos Gracie. Carlos in turn taught his brothers Osvaldo, Gasto Jr.,
- Jorge, and Helio.
-
- In 1925, Carlos and his brothers opened their first jiu-jitsu academy,
- and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was born in Brazil.
-
- At this point, the base of techniques in BJJ was similar to those in
- Kano's Judo academy in Japan. As the years progressed, however, the
- brothers (notably Carlos and Helio) and their students refined their
- art via brutal no-rules fights, both in public challenges and on the
- street. Particularly notable was their willingness to fight outside of
- weight categories, permitting a skilled small fighter to attempt to
- defeat a much larger opponent.
-
- They began to concentrate more and more on submission ground fighting,
- especially utilizing the guard position. This allowed a weaker man to
- defend against a stronger one, bide his time, and eventually emerge
- victorious.
-
- In the 1970's, the undisputed jiu-jitsu champion in Brazil was Rolls
- Gracie. He had taken the techniques of jiu-jitsu to a new level.
- Although he was not a large man, his ability to apply leverage using
- all of his limbs was unprecedented. At this time the techniques of the
- open guard and its variants (spider guard, butterfly guard) became a
- part of BJJ. Rolls also developed the first point system for jiu-jitsu
- only competition. The competitions required wearing a gi, awarded
- points (but not total victories) for throws and takedowns, and awarded
- other points for achieving different ground positions (such as passing
- an opponent's guard). After Rolls' death in a hang-gliding accident,
- Rickson Gracie became the undisputed (and undefeated!) champion, a
- legend throughout Brazil and much of the world. He has been the
- exemplar of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique for the last two decades,
- since the early 1980's, in both jiu-jitsu competition and no-rules MMA
- competition.
-
- Jiu-jitsu techniques have continued to evolve as the art is constantly
- tested in both arenas. For example, in the 1990's Roberto "Gordo"
- Correa, a BJJ black belt, injured one of his knees, and to protect his
- leg he spent a lot of practice time in the half-guard position. When he
- returned to high-level jiu-jitsu competition, he had the best
- half-guard technique in the world. A position that had been thought of
- as a temporary stopping point, or perhaps a defensive-only position,
- suddenly acquired a new complexity that rapidly spread throughout the
- art.
-
- In the early 1990's, Rorion Gracie moved from Brazil to Los Angeles. He
- wished to show the world how well the Gracie art of jiu-jitsu worked.
- In Brazil, no-rules Mixed Martial Art (MMA) contests (known as "vale
- tudo") had been popular since Carlos Gracie first opened his academy in
- 1925, but in the world at large most martial arts competition was
- internal to a single style, using the specialized rules of that style's
- practice.
-
- Rorion and Art Davie conceived of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- This was a series of pay-per-view television events in the United
- States that began in 1993. They pitted experts of different martial
- arts styles against each other in an environment with very few rules,
- in an attempt to see what techniques "really worked" when put under
- pressure. Rorion also entered his brother Royce Gracie, an expert in
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as one of the contestants.
-
- Royce dominated the first years of the UFC against all comers, amassing
- eleven victories with no fighting losses. At one event he defeated four
- different fighters in one night. This, from a fighter that was smaller
- than most of the others (at 170 lbs, in an event with no weight
- classes), looked thin and scrawny, and used techniques that most
- observers, even experienced martial artists, didn't understand.
-
- In hindsight, much of Royce's success was due to the fact that he
- understood very well (and had trained to defend against) the techniques
- that his opponents would use, whereas they often had no idea what he
- was doing to them. In addition, the ground fighting strategy and
- techniques of BJJ are among the most sophisticated in the world.
- Besides the immediate impact of an explosion of interest in BJJ across
- the world (particularly in the US and Japan), the lasting impact of
- Royce's early UFC dominance is that almost every successful MMA fighter
- now includes BJJ as a significant portion of their training.
- Description:
-
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is primarily a ground-fighting art. Most techniques
- involve both fighters on the mat. There is a heavy emphasis on
- positional strategy, which is about which fighter is on top, and where
- each person's legs are. Positions are stable situations, from which a
- large variety of techniques are available to both fighters.
-
- The primary positions include:
-
- * Guard: The person applying the guard is on the bottom with his
- back on the ground; his legs are wrapped around his opponent's hips
- (who is said to be "in the guard").
- * Side control: Chest-on-chest but without the legs being entangled.
- * Mount: On top of his opponent (who "is mounted"), sitting on his
- chest, with one leg on either side of his torso.
- * Back mount: Behind his opponent, with his feet hooked around his
- opponent's hips and upper thighs.
-
- Specific techniques taught are designed either to improve one's
- position (for example, to "pass the guard", by going from being "in the
- guard" to getting around the opponent's legs, resulting in side
- control); or else as a finishing submissions. Most submissions are
- either chokes (cutting off the blood supply to the brain) or arm locks
- (hyperextending the elbow, or twisting the shoulder).
-
- Belt ranks start at white belt, and progress through blue, purple,
- brown, and then black. It generally takes about 2-3 years of training
- multiple times per week to be promoted to the next belt rank. However,
- there is no formal rank test. Instead, rank is about the ability to
- apply jiu-jitsu techniques in a competitive match. A student generally
- needs to be able to reliably defeat most other students at a given rank
- in order to be promoted to the next rank.
-
- Given the jiu-jitsu roots, and the interest in competition,
- occasionally related techniques are taught. In each case, other
- specific martial arts focus on these sets of techniques more than BJJ,
- and they generally just receive passing mention and rare practice in
- BJJ training. For example, takedowns tend to be similar to Judo and
- western wrestling; leg locks (such as in Sambo) are not encouraged but
- sometimes allowed. Some schools teach street self-defense or weapon
- defense as well; this instruction tends to be much more like old-style
- Japanese jiu-jitsu with partner practice, and rarely impacts the
- day-to-day grappling training. Also, many dedicated BJJ students are
- also interested in MMA competition, and attempt to practice their
- techniques without a gi, and sometimes with adding striking from boxing
- or Muay Thai.
-
- Training:
-
- Most training has students wearing a heavy ("jiu-jitsu" or "Judo")
- gi/kimono, on a floor with padded mats. A typical class involves 30
- minutes of warm ups and conditioning, 30 minutes of technique practice
- with a willing partner, and 30 minutes of free sparring training,
- against an opponent of equal skill who attempts to submit you.
-
- Most of the training is done with all students on the mat. For example,
- training usually beings with both students facing each other from a
- kneeling position.
-
- Competition is also encouraged. For a jiu-jitsu tournament, competitors
- are divided by age, belt rank, and weight class. Time limits are
- generally five to ten minutes, depending on belt rank. Matches start
- with both competitiors standing, on a floor with a padded mat. A tap
- out from submission ends the match. If time runs out without a
- submission, points determine the winner:
-
- * 2 points: Takedown from standing; Knee-on-stomach position; or
- Scissor, sweep, or flip, using legs (from bottom position to top)
- * 3 points: Passing the guard
- * 4 points: Mount; or Mount on back (with leg hooks in)
-
- Many BJJ students are also interested in open submission grappling
- tournaments (different points rules, usually no gi), or Mixed Martial
- Arts (MMA). Most BJJ instructors encourage such competition, and often
- assist in the training. However, typically BJJ classes wear a gi, start
- from the knees, and prohibit strikes.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- None.
-
- However, note that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is sometimes taught under
- slightly different names. In Brazil it is generally known simply as
- "jiu-jitsu".
-
- Members of the Gracie family often call it "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu", and in
- fact this name probably pre-dates the now more-generic BJJ for
- labelling the art when outside of Brazil. (This probably would have
- become the generic name for the art, but Rorion Gracie trademarked the
- phrase for his academy in Torrance, CA. A later lawsuit between Rorion
- Gracie and Carley Gracie was resolved to permit Gracie family members
- to use that phrase when teaching their family's art of jiu-jitsu.
- However, the generic term "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" is now preferred for
- referring to the art independent of instructor.)
-
- Also, the Machado brothers (cousins of the Gracies) sometimes call
- their style "Machado Jiu-Jitsu". Any of these names refer to basically
- the same art.
-
-
- 16.4) Bushidokan
-
- (Contributor: Bob Blount - robertb@sound.net)
-
- Bushidokan is an eclectic art of recent origin, founded by Jim
- Harrison in the late 1960's. Harrison has studied Judo and Shorin-Ryu
- karate extensively. The Bushidokan Art is a combination of Okinawan
- karate, judo, and some JJ, with the primary emphasis on karate. The
- karate portion of Bushidokan's training is quite similar to Shotokan -
- definitely Okinawan in ancestry. Bushidokan is best suited for those
- interested in effective street self-defense, tournament fighting, and
- fairly rugged physical conditioning.
-
- Beginning students learn seven basic stances, seven basic strikes (six
- linear, one circular), seven basic blocks (one of which is circular)
- and seven basic kicks. Many of the self-defenses taught incorporate
- techniniques not included in the "basic" seven, thus exposing the
- student to a greater variety. These include a number of throws, a few
- soft (redirecting) blocks, and several wrist/hand locks. Two basic
- self-defense strategies - a direct counter and an indirect counter -
- are taught for each type of attack. Sparring is introduced as
- students progress, but is always optional, and ranges from "no
- contact" to "full contact".
-
-
- 16.5) Capoeira
-
- (Contributors: Daniel C. Sobral - e8917523@linf.unb.br,
- "Lagartixa" (Gecko) - nworthin@rohan.sdsu.edu )
-
- Intro:
-
- This is a very acrobatic, very energetic Brazilian martial art.
-
- Origin: Angola and Brazil
-
- History:
-
- Capoeira is the common name for the group of African martial arts that
- came out of west Africa and were modifed and mixed in Brazil. These
- orginal stlyes inculded weapons, grappling and striking as well as
- animal forms that became incorpated into different components and sub
- styles of the popular art.
-
- In the 1500's, black slaves from Africa were used in Brazil to build
-
- he empire of the sugar cane. These slaves lacked a form of
- self-defense, and in a way quite parallel to Karate, they developed a
- martial-art with the things they had in hand, namely, sugar cane
- knives and 3/4 staffs. Being slaves, they had to disguise the study of
- the art, and that is how the dance came into it.
-
- In the early 1800's Capoeira was outlawed in Brazil, especially in its
- "home state" of Bahia, where gangs utilized it as their personal
- fighting style against police.
-
- Capoeira was born in the "senzalas", the places where the slaves were
- kept, and developed in the "quilombos", the places where they used to
- run to when they fled from their enslavers.
-
- Description:
-
- Capoeira consists of a stylized dance, practiced in a circle called
- the "roda", with sound background provided by percussion instruments,
- like the "agogo", the "atabaqui", etc. The "Berimbau" is a
- percussion instrument that is always used on rodas.
-
- Capoeira relies heavily on kicks and leg sweeps for attacks and dodges
- for defenses. Is not uncommon to not be taught any kind of hand
- strike of parry, though arm positioning for blocks is taught.
-
- The "ginga" (meaning "swing"_, the footwork of Capoeira, consists in
- changing the basic stance (body facing the adversary, front leg flexed
- with body weight over it, the other leg strechted back) from the right
- leg to the left leg again and again.
-
- Capoeira also puts a heavy emphasis on ground fighting, but not
- grappling and locks. Instead, it uses a ground stance (from the basic
- stance, you just fall over your leg stretched back, flexing it, and
- leaving the front leg stretched ahead), from which you make feints,
- dodges, kicks, leg sweeps, acrobatics, etc.
-
- Hand positioning is important but it's used only to block attacks and
- ensure balance, though street fighting "capoeiristas" use the hands
- for punches.
-
- When fighting, it is rare to stop in one stance, and in this case, you
- just "follow" your opponent with your legs, preventing him from
- getting close, or preparing a fast acrobatic move to take advantage
- when he attacks. The rest of the time, you just keep changing stances,
- feinting, and doing the equivalent of boxing "jabs".
-
- Training:
-
- After a through warm-up, standing exercises are done, with emphasis on
- the "ginga", the footwork characteristic of the art, and on the basic
- kicks: "bencao", a front-stomping kick, "martelo", a roundhouse kick,
- "chapa", a side-kick, "meia-lua de frente", a low turning kick, "armada",
- a high turning kick, "queixada", an outside-inside crescent kick. Then
- walking sequences are done, with the introduction of sommersaults,
- backflips and headstands, in couples and individual. Some more
- technical training follows, with couples beginning a basic and slow
- "jogo", and then the whole class forms and goes for "roda" game for at
- least 30 minutes.
-
- Capoeira conditions and develops the muscles, especially the abdominal
- muscles.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- Regional: Capoeira in a more artistic, open form, giving more way to
- athletic prowess and training. The newer, faster, more popular style
- created by mestre Bimba (the guy who was responsible for the legalization
- of capoeira and the founder of the first academy). Breakdancing evolved
- from this style, and 90% of all breakdancing moves come directly from
- capoeira. This is a faster game, less a fight and more of a showing off. Flourishes, high
- kicks, and aerial, acrobatic maneuvers are the hallmark
- of the regional game, which is usually played to the beat of the berimbau
- known as Sao Bento Grande.
-
- Angola: a more closed, harder style that is closest to the original
- African systems that came to Brazil. The "traditional" capoeira, the game
- is accompanied by a specific beat of the berimbau by the same name. Angola
- games are generally slow and low to the ground, and incorporate a lot of trickery, sweeps
- and takedowns, and physically grueling movements that
- require great strength and balance.
-
- Iuna: Iuna is not really a style of capoeira. Rather, it refers to a
- rhythm of the berimbau that is played when somebody dies or when mestres
- (masters) play alone. There is no singing when iuna is played, and only
- masters are allowed to play during iuna.
-
-
- 16.6) Cha Yon Ryu
-
- (Contributor: Ross Deforrest - ssor@prismnet.com)
-
- Cha Yon Ryu ("Natural Way") is an eclectic, fairly new martial art
- founded in 1968 by Kim Soo of Houston, Texas, who remains Director of
- the system. Tae Kwon Do contributes kicking techniques, strong stances
- and direct, linear strikes and blocks, as does Shotokan Karate. With
- the study of movements from Okinawa te (Okinawa), the Cha Yon Ryu
- practitioner starts to add techniques with some angularity to his/her
- repertoire, and eventually progresses to the fluid, circular movements
- of Quanfa Gongfu. Hapkido is the martial art from which are drawn
- defenses against chokes, grabs and armed attacks, as well as various
- throwing and falling techniques.
-
- Students strive to fulfill The Dojang Hun (Training Hall Oath): Seek
- perfection of character, Live the way of truth, Endeavor, Be faithful,
- Respect your seniors, and Refrain from violent behavior.
-
-
- 16.7) Cuong Nhu (pronounced "Kung New")
-
- (Contributors: Elizabeth Roman and Robert First -
- rafirst@unity.ncsu.edu
- and http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/r/rafirst/cooldojo/)
-
- Cuong Nhu is another eclectic, fairly new martial art, founded in 1965
- by Master Ngo Dong in Vietnam. The first US school opened in
- Gainesville FL in 1971. Cuong Nhu is an integrated martial art
- blending hard aspects ("cuong" in Vietnamese) from Shotokan Karate,
- Wing Chun Gongfu, and American Boxing, with influences from the soft
- ("nhu" in Vietnamese) arts of Judo, Aikido, and Taiji, in addition
- to Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art using both hard and soft
- techniques. In keeping with its inclusive nature, Cuong Nhu
- instruction extends beyond the traditionally martial to public
- speaking, poetry, paintint, and philosophy. There is a strong
- emphasis on developing self control, modesty, and a non-defeatist
- attitude.
-
- Beginning students focus on the hard, linear arts, mostly modified
- Shotokan Karate techniques and katas. Experienced students add
- movements from more advanced softer, circular arts such as Aikido and
- Taiji. All levels get some exposure to the entire range of styles.
- Training emphasizes moral and philosophical development, and students
- discuss the "Code of Ethics" and selections from Cuong Nhu philosophy
- in class. As with other styles, belt color indicates rank as certified
- by regional testing.
-
- There are approximately 70 Cuong Nhu dojos in the US. For more
- information or the location of a school near you, the Cuong Nhu
- Oriental Martial Arts Association (CNOMAA) can be reached at (904)
- 737-7094 or http://www.cuongnhu.com.
-
-
- 16.8) Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujustu
-
- (Contributors: Torben Alstrup/Ole Kingston - alstrup@imada.ou.dk)
-
- Intro: A prominent sub-style of Jujutsu
-
- History:
-
- Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu is an old Jujutsu style presumably founded my
- Minamoto, Yoshimitsu in the eleventh century. Originally, it was only
- practised by the highest ranking Samurais in the Takeda family in the
- Kai fiefdom in northern Japan.
-
- Feudal overlord Takeda, Shingen died in 1573, and his kinsman Takeda,
- Kunitsugu moved to the Aizu fiefdom, where he became Jito - overseer
- of the fief. Kunitsugu introduced Daitoryu Aikijujutsu at the Aizu
- fiefdom, where the secret fighting art only was taught to the feudal
- lords and the highest ranking samurais and ladies in waiting.
-
- The feudal system was broken down after 1868 when the Meiji
- restoration begun. Saigo, Tanomo (1829-1905), the heir to Daito-ryu
- gave the system to Takeda, Sogaku (1859-1943) and instructed him to
- pass it on to future generations. Takeda, Sogaku first used the term
- "Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu" in the beginning of the twentieth century and
- taught the art of it to many students.
-
- Takeda, Sogaku taught Daito-ryu from the beginning of the twentieth
- century until his death in 1943 two of his best known students were
- Ueshiba, Morihei, founder of Aikido and Choi, Yong Sul, founder of
- Hapkido.
-
- Other prominent 20th century Daito-ryu masters include Horikawa, Kodo
- (1894-1980); Takuma, Hisa (1895-1979); Hakaru, Mori (1931-), the
- current director of the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Takumakai; Sagawa,
- Yukiyoshi (1902-); Takeda, Tokimune (1916-1993), son of Takeda,
- Sogaku; Katsuyuki, Kondo (1945-); and Okamoto, Seigo (1925-), who is
- often considered the most progressive teacher of Daitoryu Aikijujutsu.
-
- Description and Training:
-
- The way of teaching Daitoryu comes from Takeda, Sogaku's students in
- the same manner as the understanding, feeling and character of the
- techniques. Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu has four levels of techniques:
- Shoden (Lowest), Chuden (advanced), Okuden (highest) and Hiden (secret
- techniques).
-
- Shoden
- The training in Daito-ryu starts with Shoden, where the student learns
- ukemi (falling and rolling), taisabaki (moving the body), tesabaki and
- ashisabaki (movements of the hands and feet and legs), defense against
- grappling, and continues with defense against punches, kicks and
- weapons, as for instance short and long staffs (tanbo, jo and chobo)
- and knives and swords (tanto and katana).
-
- There are techniques that can be done from standing, sitting or lying
- positions. The first transmission scroll Hiden Mokuroku describes the
- first 118 jujutsu techniques from the Shoden level.
-
- Chuden
- These are advanced jujutsu techniques with large soft movements as
- known from Aikido. The actual aiki training consists of a combination
- of these techniques and those from Shoden. At this level of training
- it is allowed to use some amount of force, several steps and large
- movements.
-
- Okuden
- When doing Okuden all movements should be as small as possible.
- Breathing, reflexes, circles and timing are used instead of muscles;
- the techniques are small and fast, and it is not necessary to hold an
- attacker in order to throw him.
-
- The reflexes of the attacker are used against him. He gets a soft
- shock, similar to an electric shock activating his reflexes, and it
- becomes easy to manipulate the body of the attacker so it is felt as
- an extension of one's own.
-
- Hiden
- These are the secret techniques. The real aiki consists always of soft
- techniques that only work properly when the whole body and proper
- breathing is used. The attacker is touched easily, you are as glued to
- him, and the techniques are so small that even experienced budokas
- cannot see what is happening. However, the most fascinating part of
- Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu is that it is unnecessary to use physical power
- for incapacitating the attacker his own force is turned against him.
-
- 16.9) Gatka
-
- (Contributor: Arun Singh - arun145@lycos.com)
-
- Intro:
-
- A Sikh martial art.
-
- Origins and History:
-
- Gatka is the martial art of the Sikhs, and is tied in with the
- religion Sikhism. It's a weapons-based martial art, which was
- imparted to the Sikhs in the time of Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth
- Guru of the Sikhs) by the Rajputs (Hindu warriors of northern India)
- in the 16th century, in gratitude for their release from imprisonment
- by the fledgling Sikh army of that time. The Sikhs at that time
- opposed the Mughal Empire, which violently oppressed both Sikhs and
- Hindus in the name of Islam.
-
- The Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was an extremely
- proficient martial artist.
-
- He continued to encourage the Sikhs to train seriously in the martial
- arts, and in 1699 founded the Khalsa, a special Order, to which all
- Sikhs would thereafter aspire to joining. The Khalsa was subject to
- strict military and personal discipline, and were enjoined to, inter
- alia, always carry 5 items with them: the Kanga (a small wooden
- comb), Kachhehra (long drawers instead of a loincloth), Kara (a steel
- bracer worn on the right wrist), Kesh (uncut hair) and Kirpan (curved
- sword). The Khalsa was enjoined to train to fight, and to vigorously
- resist the oppression of any religious community, including Sikhs and
- Hindus. The wearing of the kirpan represented the martial character
- of the Khalsa, and all Sikhs, men, women and children, were
- encouraged to resist their Mughal oppressors, and to train diligently
- in gatka.
-
- Gatka was used succesfully by the Sikhs throughout the 16th and 17th
- centuries, in numerous battles against the Mughal forces. Eventually,
- the Sikhs succeeded in deposing the Mughal overlords, and in creating
- a new, tolerant rulership in the Punjab (the "Land of Five Rivers", a
- region in modern-day India and Pakistan).
-
- Gatka is, and has always been, taught as a spiritual exercise in
- Sikhism. Sikhism requires its followers to become absorbed in
- honouring the Name of God, and this is taught through the ecstatic
- exercise of gatka. Sikhism and gatka are inextricably intertwined, in
- many ways.
-
- Description:
-
- Gatka actually refers to the soti, a wooden stick used in training,
- which is equipped with a basket hilt. The entire martial art is based
- on the correct use of a vast array of melee (hand-to-hand) weapons.
- The foundation of the art is the panthra, a basic form and
- methodology for moving the feet, body, arms and weapons correctly, in
- unison. Gatka is normally taught with rhythmic accompaniment, and the
- object is to achieve fluid, natural and flowing movement, without
- hesitation, doubt or anxiety. The attacking and blocking methods are
- all based upon the positions of the hands, feet and weapon(s) during
- the panthra dexterity exercise. Many weapons are taught with special
- methodologies, in addition to the panthra exercise.
-
- There are set of unique "chambers" and other techniques, which are
- unique to certain weapons, such as the khanda (two-edged sword), the
- tabar (axe) and the barcha (spear).
-
- The most common weapon used by gatka exponents today is the lathi (a
- stick of varying length), but all of the other traditional weapons
- are still taught. A common combination in that hands of gatka
- practitioners of today and in the past is the sword and shield.
-
- The panthra exercise is a flowing, non-stop movement, and there are
- no specific "techniques" as such in gatka. Rather, the methods of
- attacking and defending are the same, and the application depends on
- the circumstances at the time. The panthra exercise is practised at
- the same time as the "Jaap Sahib" prayer is being sung. Also, a
- three-beat-per-cycle is played by a drummer at the same time. This
- assists in developing natural and flowing co-ordination.
-
- Training:
-
- Most gatka groups train in a religious or semi-religious situation,
- such as in a gurdwara (a Sikh place of worship) or in a Sikh cultural
- centre or school. However, in recent years a number of "Akhara"
- (regiment or gymnasium) organisations have been founded, with the
- express purpose of teaching and disseminating the skill of gatka.
-
- Gatka students always train with "both hands full", as this is both
- an excellent exercise for matching the two halves of the body and is
- emphasised as ideal for combat. Gatka emphasises the superiority of
- having something in both hands, whether it's two sticks, or a stick
- and a sword, or a sword and a shield or any other combination.
-
- At an advanced level, gatka is always tailored to the practitioner.
- Hence the gatka practitioner will eventually focus all of his effort
- on training his or her abilities with a chosen weapon or combination
- of weapons.
-
- Competition:
-
- Gatka was never originally intended as a competitive sport. However,
- recently a number of modern gatka organisations have introduced
- competition. Normally, these are based on a "best of two" or a "best
- of Five" hits contest between two practitiners.
-
- How to find an instructor:
-
- The best traditional gatka practitioners outside the Punjab are known
- by word of mouth only. However, some organisations have recently
- begun teaching their own variation of gatka, in schools and clubs, in
- the same way as any other martial art. These organisations usually
- advertise, too. However, their gatka may differ significantly from
- the traditional form of the art, either by accident or design. It may
- be fruitful to consult your local gurdwara (Sikh temple) officials in
- order to find a reputable gatka instructor who is willing to teach
- you. Discretion (most gatka experts disdain being the centre of
- attention) and courtesy will be indispensable in finding yourself a
- willing instructor in the art.
-
-
- 16.10) HapKiDo
-
- (Contributors: Randy Pals - pals@ipact.com,
- Ray Terry - rterry@hpkel02.cup.hp.com,
- Dakin Burdick - burdick@silver.ucs.indiana.edu)
-
- Intro:
-
- This Korean art is sometimes confused with Aikido, since the Korean
- and Japanese translation of the names is the same.
-
- Origin: Korea
-
- History:
-
- Hapkido history is the subject of some controversy.
-
- Some sources say that the founder of Hapkido, Choi, Yong Sul was a
- houseboy/servant (some even say "the adopted son") of Japanese Daito
- Ryu Aikijujutsu GrandMaster Takeda, Sokaku. In Japan, Choi used the
- Japanese name Yoshida, Tatsujutsu since all immigrants to Japan took
- Japanese names at that time. Choi's Japanese name has also been given
- as Asao, Yoshida by some sources. According to this view, Choi
- studied under Takeda in Japan from 1913, when he was aged 9, until
- Takeda died in 1943. However, Daito Ryu records do not reflect this,
- so hard confirmation has not been available. Some claim that Choi's
- Daito Ryu training was limited to attending seminars.
-
- Ueshiba, Morihei, the founder of Aikido, was also a student of Takeda
- (this is not disputed). Hapkido and Aikido both have significant
- similarities to Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, so it would seem that Hapkido's
- link to it is real, regardless of how and where Choi was trained.
-
- Choi returned to Korea after Takeda's death and began studying Korean
- arts and teaching Yu Sool or Yawara (other names for jujutsu),
- eventually calling his kwan ("school") the Hapki Kwan. Ji, Han Jae,
- began studying under Choi and eventually started his own school, where
- he taught what he called Hapkido, after the grandmaster's school.
- Along the way, Hapkido adopted various techniques from Tang Soo Do,
- Tae Kyon, and other Korean kwans (schools).
-
- Korean sources may tend to emphasize the Korean arts lineage of
- Hapkido over the Aikijujutsu lineage, with some even omitting the
- Aikijujutsu connection. However, as noted above, the connection can
- be seen in the techniques.
-
- Ji now calls his system Sin Moo Hapkido. He currently lives and
- teaches in California, as does another former Choi student, Myung,
- Kwang Sik, who is GrandMaster of the World Hapkido Federation.
-
- Some other Choi Hapkido students are still living. Chang, Chun Il
- currently teaches in New York City, and Im, Hyon Soo lives and teaches
- in Korea. Both of these men were promoted to 9th dan by Choi. One of
- the first Hapkido masters to bring the art to the western culture was
- Han, Bong Soo.
-
- In the 1970's and 80's Hapkido was taught as the style of choice to
- elite South Korean armed forces units.
-
- Description:
-
- Hapkido combines joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and
- strikes for practical self-defense. More soft than hard and more
- internal than external, but elements of each are included. Emphasizes
- circular motion, non-resistive movements, and control of the opponent.
-
- Although Hapkido contains both outfighting and infighting techniques,
- the goal in most situations is to get inside for a close-in strike,
- lock, or throw. When striking, deriving power from hip rotation is
- strongly emphasized.
-
- Training:
-
- Varies with organization and instructor. As a general rule, beginners
- concentrate on basic strikes and kicks, along with a few joint locks
- and throws. Some of the striking and kicking practice is form-like,
- that is, with no partner, however, most is done with a partner who is
- holding heavy pads that the student strikes and kicks full power.
-
- Advanced students add a few more strikes and kicks as well as many
- more throws, locks, and pressure points. There is also some weapons
- training for advanced students - primarily belt, kubatan, cane, and
- short staff.
-
- Some schools do forms, some do not. Some do sparring and some do not,
- although at the advanced levels, most schools do at least some
- sparring. Many Hapkido techniques are unsuitable for use in sparring,
- as their use would result in injury, even when protective gear is
- used. Thus, sparring typically uses only a limited subset of
- techinques.
-
- There is generally an emphasis on physical conditioning and excercise,
- including "ki" exercises.
-
-
- 16.11) Hwa Rang Do
-
- (Contributor: Carsten Jorgensen - hwarang@usa.net)
-
- Intro:
-
- Hwa Rang Do is a comprehensive martial arts system whose training
- encompasses unarmed combat, weaponry, internal training and healing
- techniques. Translated, Hwa Rang Do means "the way of flowering
- manhood".
-
- Origin: Korea
-
- History:
-
- For the ancient history of the Hwarang, please refer to the Ancient
- Korean History section of http://www.hwarangdo.com/hrd1.htm.
-
- In March 1942 present day founder of Hwa Rang Do, Dr. Joo Bang Lee and
- his brother, Joo Sang Lee was introduced to the Buddhist monk Suahm
- Dosa by their father, who was a personal friend of the monk, and they
- began their formal training aged 5 & 6.
-
- The brothers lived and trained as the sole students with the monk
- mostly in weekends and during school vacations but also trained in
- other martial arts when they were unable to train under Suahm Dosa.
- Influences include Boxing, Yudo, Komdo, and Tang Soo Do. In addition
-
- the Lee Brothers attained Master level of Dae Dong Ryu Yu Sul (modern
- name - Hapkido) from its founder Choi Yong Sool in October 1956.
-
- In April 1960 Dr. Joo Bang Lee created and founded his martial art by
- combining Suham Dosa's techniques with the other systems he had
- trained. He choose the name Hwa Rang Kwan to describe his system and
- this also marked the first time the Hwa Rang was used publicly in
- connection with unarmed Korean martial arts. There is no way of
- knowing if the techniques Suahm Dosa taught the brothers actually was
- the martial art of the Silla Hwa Rang, or another form of monk martial
- art.
-
- In 1967, at the request of President Park, Dr. Joo Bang Lee organized
- the unification of the Korean martial arts and directed the Unified
- Korean Martial Arts Exposition on May 27, 1968 at the Jang Chung
- Sports Arena in Seoul. Since it was difficult for all martial art
- organization leaders to agree on methods of administration, this
- organization was also disbanded shortly after the exposition.
-
- Following the dissolution, Dr. Joo Bang Lee concentrated his efforts
- solely on the development of his martial art to the exclusion of all
- other martial arts. He renamed it Hwa Rang Do translated to mean "The
- Way of the Flowering Manhood". (Do - represents "the way" or the
- "martial art"). Also this marked the first time the character for
- "Way" was used in connection with the Hwa Rang and the unarmed martial
- arts.
-
- In 1968, Head Grandmaster Joo Sang Lee introduced Hwa Rang Do to the
- United States of America. Dr. Joo Bang Lee became the system's supreme
- grandmaster upon Suahm Dosa's death in 1969. He immigrated to America
- in 1972 and founded the World Hwa Rang Do Association and since then
- Hwa Rang Do has spread all over the world. Today Dr. Joo Bang Lee
- presides over the World Hwa Rang Do Association, Hwa Rang Do World
- Headquarters in Downey, California (USA).
-
- Description:
-
- Hwa Rang Do is a combination of UM (soft/circular movement) and YANG
- (hard/linear movement). The Mu Sul (martial aspects) of Hwa Rang Do
- can be further explained in four distinct - though interconnecting -
- major paths of study.
-
- NAE GONG - deals with developing, controlling, and directing one's Ki,
- or internal energy force, through breathing and meditation exercises
- in conjunction with specific physical techniques.
-
- WAE GONG - Wae gong includes more than 4000 offensive and defensive
- combative applications. Combining elements predominantly tense and
- linear in nature with those soft and circular, these techniques mesh
- to form a natural fighting system. This phase includes full
- instruction in all hand strikes and blocks (trapping and grabbing as
- well as deflection applications, using the hands, wrist, forearm,
- elbows, arms and shoulders), 365 individual kicks, throws and falls
- from any position and onto any surfaces, human anatomical structure as
- it pertains to combat applications (knowing and utilizing the body's
- weak points to effectively control the opponent, regardless of their
- size), joint manipulation and breaking, finger pressure-point
- application, prisoner arrest, control and transport, grappling
- applications, forms, offensive choking and flesh-tearing techniques,
- defense against multiple opponents, breaking techniques,
- counter-attacks, and killing techniques.
-
- MOO GI GONG - involves the offensive and defensive use of the over 108
- traditional weapons found within 20 categories of weaponry. By
- learning these various weapon systems, the practitioner can most
- effectively utilize any available object as a weapon as the situation
- demands.
-
- SHIN GONG - is the study, development, and control of the human mind
- in order to attain one's full potential and mental capabilities.
- Techniques are taught to achieve an increase in one's total awareness,
- focus, and concentration levels. Included are instruction in :
- controlling one's mind; development of the "sixth sense"; memory
- recall; the study of human character and personalities; practical
- psychology; visualization; the art of concealment and stealth as
- utilized by special agents (Sulsa); as well as advanced, secretive
- applications. Hwa Rang Do teaches both the martial art (mu-sul) and
- healing art (in-sul). If one is able to injure or worse, then he/she
- should know how to heal as well, once again maintaining harmony
- through balance of opposites. First aid applications, revival
- techniques are taught in conjunction with the traditional full studies
- of acupuncture, Royal Family acupressure, herbal and natural
- medicines, and bone setting.
-
- Training:
-
- A typical training session includes Meditation (beginning and end of
- class). Total body stretching and warm-up exercises. Basic punching
- and kicking practice. Ki power exercises. "Basic-8" combination drills
- (which vary by belt rank). Two-man countering techniques (vary by belt
- rank). Open session which may include: sparring, tumbling, grappling,
- sweeps, or advanced techniques. Self-defense techniques. Cool down
- exercises. Hwa Rang Do code of ethics.
-
- For further information, please refer to http://www.hwarangdo.com
- and/or write to:
- World Hwa Rang Do Association
- 8200 E. Firestone Blvd.,
- Downey, Ca 90241
- (562) 861-0111
-
-
- 16.12) Iaido
-
- (Contributor: Al Bowers - bowers@wilbur.dfrf.nasa.gov)
-
- Intro: The Art of drawing the sword for combat.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- This art is very old, and has strong philosophical and historical ties
- to Kenjutsu. It was practiced by Japanese warriors for centuries.
-
- Description:
-
- The object is to draw the sword perfectly, striking as it is drawn,
- so that the opponent has no chance to defend against the strike.
-
- Training:
-
- Usually practiced in solo form (kata), but also has partner forms
- (kumetachi).
-
- Sub-Styles: Muso Shinden Ryu, Muso Jikishin Ryu, and others.
-
-
- 16.13) Judo
-
- (Contributors: Neil Ohlenkamp - JudoSensei@aol.com,
- Michael D'Auben - 72517.1031@compuserve.com)
-
- Intro:
-
- Judo is a sport and a way to get in great shape, but is also very
- useful for self-defense.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- Judo is derived from Jujutsu (see Jujutsu). It was created by
- Professor Jigoro Kano who was born in Japan in 1860 and who died in
- 1938 after a lifetime of promoting Judo. Mastering several styles of
- jujutsu in his youth he began to develop his own system based on
- modern sports principles. In 1882 he founded the Kodokan Judo
- Institute in Tokyo where he began teaching and which still is the
- international authority for Judo. The name Judo was chosen because it
- means the "gentle way". Kano emphasised the larger educational value
- of training in attack and defense so that it could be a path or way of
- life that all people could participate in and benefit from. He
- eliminated some of the traditional jujutsu techniques and changed
- training methods so that most of the moves could be done with full
- force to create a decisive victory without injury.
-
- The popularity of Judo increased dramatically after a famous contest
- hosted by the Tokyo police in 1886 where the Judo team defeated the
- most well-known jujutsu school of the time. It then became a part of
- the Japanese physical education system and began its spread around the
- world. In 1964 men's Judo competition became a part of the Olympics,
- the only eastern martial art that is an official medal sport. In 1992
- Judo competition for women was added to the Olympics.
-
- Description:
-
- Judo is practiced on mats and consists primarily of throws
- (nage-waza), along with katame-waza (grappling), which includes
- osaekomi-waza (pins), shime-waza (chokes), and kansetsu-waza
- (armbars). Additional techniques, including atemi-waza (striking) and
- various joint locks are found in the judo katas. Judo is generally
- compared to wrestling but it retains its unique combat forms. As a
- daughter to Jujutsu these techniques are also often taught in Judo
- classes.
-
- Because the founder was involved in education (President of Tokyo
- University) Judo training emphasizes mental, moral and character
- development as much as physical training. Most instructors stress the
- principles of Judo such as the principle of yielding to overcome
- greater strength or size, as well as the scientific principles of
- leverage, balance, efficiency, momentum and control.
-
- Judo would be a good choice for most children because it is safe and
- fun.
-
- Training:
-
- Judo training has many forms for different interests. Some students
- train for competition by sparring and entering the many tournaments
- that are available. Other students study the traditional art and
- forms (kata) of Judo. Other students train for self-defense, and yet
- other students play Judo for fun. Black belts are expected to learn
- all of these aspects of Judo.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- Because Judo originated in modern times it is organized like other
- major sports with one international governing body, the International
- Judo Federation (IJF), and one technical authority (Kodokan). There
- are several small splinter groups (such as the Zen Judo Assoc.) who
- stress judo as a "do" or path, rather than a sport.
-
- Unlike other martial arts, Judo competition rules, training methods,
- and rank systems are relatively uniform throughout the world.
-
-
- 16.14) Jujutsu
-
- (Contributor: Darren Wilkinson - wilkinson@hippo.herston.uq.oz.au)
-
- Intro:
-
- Old, practical, fighting art. A parent to Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- The begining of Ju-jutsu can be found in the turbulent period of
- Japanese history between the 8th and 16th Century. During this time,
- there was almost constant civil war in Japan and the classical
- weaponed systems were developed and constantly refined on the battle
- field. Close fighting techniques were developed as part of these
- systems to be use in conjunction with weapons against armoured, armed
- apponents. It was from these techniques that Ju-jutsu arose.
-
- The first publicly recognised Ju-jutsu ryu was formed by Takenouchie
- Hisamori in 1532 and consisted of techniques of sword, jo-stick and
- dagger as well as unarmed techniques.
-
- In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu brought peace to Japan by forming the
- Tokugawa military government. This marked the beginning of the Edo
- period of Japanese history (1603-1868), during which waring ceased to
- be a dominant feature of Japanese life.
-
- In the beginning of this period there was a general shift from
- weaponed forms of fighting to weaponless styles. These weaponless
- styles were developed from the grappling techniques of the weaponed
- styles and were collectively known as ju-jutsu. During the height of
- the Edo period, there were more than 700 systems of jujutsu.
-
- The end of the Edo was marked by the Meiji Restoration, an abortive
- civil war that moved power from the Shogun back to the Emperor. A
- large proportion of the Samurai class supported the Shogun during the
- war. Consequently, when power was restored to the Emperor, many things
- related to the Samurai fell into disrepute. An Imperial edict was
- decreed, declaring it a criminal offence to practice the old style
- combative martial arts. During the period of the Imperial edict,
- Ju-jutsu was almost lost. However, some masters continued to practice
- their art "under-ground", or moved to other countries, allowing the
- style to continue. By the mid twenty century, the ban on ju-jutsu in
- Japan had lifted, allowing the free practicing of the art.
-
- Description:
-
- The style encompasses throws, locks, and striking techniques, with a
- strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. It is
- also characterized by in-fighting and close work. It is a circular,
- hard/soft, external style.
-
- Training: Practical with a heavy emphasis on sparring and mock combat.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- There are many, each associated with a different "school" (Ryu). Here
- is a partial list: Daito Ryu, Danzan Ryu, Shidare Yanagi Ryu, Hokuto
- Ryu, Hakko Ryu, Hontai Yoshin Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kito Ryu, Kyushin Ryu.
-
- A more modern addition to this list is "Brazilian Jujutsu" or "Gracie
- Jujutsu", so named because of its development by the Gracie family of
- Brazil. Gracie/Brazilian Jujutsu (or GJJ/BJJ as it has come to be
- known on rec.martial-arts) has a heavy emphasis on
- grappling/groundfighting.
-
-
- 16.15) Kajukenbo
-
- (Contributors: Peter Jason Ward - ironmarshal+@CMU.EDU,
- Todd D. Ellner - tellner@cs.pdx.edu)
-
- Intro:
-
- An eclectic martial art that is a blend of Karate, Judo, Kempo, and
- Boxing, from which arts it takes its name.
-
- History:
-
- Kajukenbo was synthesized in the Palomas settlements of Hawaii during
- the years 1949-1952. Five practitioners of their respective martial
- arts developed Kajukenbo to complement each others styles to allow
- effective fighting at all ranges and speeds. The last living founder
- of Kajukenbo is Sijo Adriano D. Emperado who practiced kempo and
- escrima. (Other founders are P.Y.Y. Choo, Frank Ordonez, J. Holck,
- and Professor C. Chang). It was decided that kempo would be the
- scafolding around which Kajukenbo was built. The arts drawn upon to
- found Kajukenbo are Tang soo do, judo, ju-jitsu, kempo, and chu'an fa
- gung fu (Chinese boxing); hence the name Ka-ju-kem-bo (Tang Soo Do was
- shortened as a form of karate, even though that is technically
- incorrect).
-
- To test the effectiveness of their origional techniques the five
- founders would get into fights around the Palomas settlements (the
- worst slum in Hawaii at the time). If the technique succeeded
- consistently in streetfighting it was kept as part of the system.
- >From these field test came Kajukenbo's Quins (known as the Palomas
- sets (forms or kata)), Natural laws (self-defense), Tricks
- (close-quarters fighting), and grab arts (escapes).
-
- Description:
-
- Kajukenbo concentrates on being an effective art at all ranges of
- fighting, kicking -> Punching -> Trapping -> Grappling. While many
- schools of karate and Korean martial arts concentrate on kata,
- Kajukenbo stresses the self-defence movements over the relatively
- fewer forms in the art. The reasoning behind this is that a
- practitioner must be capable of defending himself in streetfighting
- situations before turning inward to perfect the 'art' of Kajukenbo.
- At higher levels there is meditative and chi training, but the author
- cannot comment further at his level of experience.
-
- Kajukenbo stresses the following-up of techniques based on an
- opponents reactions and not stopping with just one hit. The reasoning
- is that while one should strive to end a fight with the fewest
- techniques nessesary, it is important to know how an opponent will
- respond to attacks, and how best to take advantage of his reactions.
- A major ethical point behind my instruction was, "If he starts the
- fight, you decide when the fight is over."
-
- Training:
-
- The training is physically intense and very demanding. Exercise is a
- part of the class structure to insure that practitioners will be
- physically capable of defending themselves outside of the dojo. The
- warm-up and callistenics typically last 1/3 of the class period.
- Emphasis is placed on bag work (kick, punching, elbows, and knees) as
- well as sparring and grappling (contact with control). After a certain
- amount of time training, students begin to throw real punches at each
- other and their partner is expected to react appropriately or face the
- consequences. Learning to absorb and soften an impact is also a major
- facet of training. Quins (kata) are performed to fine-tune a person's
- movements while working with partners for self defense teaches a
- student how to manipulate an opponent and follow up on his reactions.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- Kajukenpo, formed in 1970 by Algene Caraulia, and headquartered in
- Cleveland, Ohio (from Anthony Schaaf <adschaaf@mtu.edu>).
-
- Kenpo Karate is considered to be a sub-style of Kajukenbo (see
-
- eparate entry on Kenpo) and is very close to "the original"
- Kajukenbo.
-
- Tum Pai, created in part by Sifu Al Dacascos, is adminstered by Sifu
- Jon Loren, and incorporates more of the soft, internal Chinese arts.
-
- Kajukenbo Chuan Fa was created by Dela Cruz and Professor Emperado and
- has been taken over by Leonard Endrizzi and Bill Owens. It includes
- more Chinese martial arts than Kenpo Karate and is softer but no less
- rigorous.
-
- Wun Hop Kuen Do is the newest sub-style - the personal expression of
- Sifu Dacascos, containing the original syllabus but with more Chinese
- and Filipino influence.
-
-
- 16.16) Kali/Escrima/Arnis
-
- (Contributors: Andy Maddox - modsox@clark.net
- Russ Rader - rlrader@ix.netcom.com
- Tim Rivera - river@umr.edu)
-
- Intro:
-
- Kali, Escrima, and Arnis are all terms for the native fighting arts of
- the Philippines, specifically the arts that use weapons. 'Arnis' and
- 'Escrima' (or 'Eskrima') are words rooted in Spanish, while 'Kali'
- shows up in various pre-Spanish Pilipino dialects.
-
- Some authorities say that Arnis is a term used in the northern parts of
- Luzon Island, Escrima or Eskrima is used more commonly in the middle
- parts of the Philippines, such as Cebu City, and Kali is used in the
- southern island of Mindanao. Some of those who say that Kali is the
- term for the southern styles claim that, since Mindanao was never
- conquered by the Spanish to the extent that the rest of the Philippines
- was, Kali more closely resembles the original pre-Spanish arts of the
- area, and is more "complete" (covers more combative possibilities).
-
- There are also some who claim that the word Kali is part of a modern
- attempt to marginalize the Spanish (and other European) influence on
- Filipino martial arts, and some go so far as to refer to Kali as a
- "Filipino-American" style.
-
- However, most people tend to say that the words don't matter - every
- village, and often every master, has a distinct style, and that's what
- the important thing is - "do you study Illustrisimo, Caballero, or
- Cabales style?" Not "do you study escrima or kali?"
-
- Origin: The Phillipines
-
- History:
-
- Filipino martial arts are the result of the interaction of Spanish and
- possibly Italian and other European styles of sword-fighting (cut and
- thrust rather than fencing, probably) with the native arts that existed
- at the time. Although the European influence is probably mostly
- Spanish, there is some evidence of Italian and possibly other European
- mercenaries present in the Phillippines, and they probably used (and
- possibly taught) their own native fighting styles.
-
- The most popular legend concerning the Filipino arts is that Datu
- (Chief) Lapu Lapu killed the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in
- personal combat.
-
- Description:
-
- There are many different styles of Filipino martial arts, but general
- categories can be drawn along the lines of range. Largo Mano styles
- tend to prefer staying at long distance from their opponents, and using
- well-timed and placed strikes to the hands of their opponents to disarm
- them. Corto or Serrada styles are the opposite, tending to crowd into
- their opponents, where the opponent will hopefully be uncomfortable and
- unprepared, while the Serrada practitioner, by virtue of his practice,
- will feel at home at this range. Other styles prefer the medio, or
- middle range, which is between Largo Mano and Serrada. There are also
- styles, such as Lameco Escrima, that address all three ranges. The
- name Lameco even comes from these ranges; (La)rgo Mano, (Me)dio, and
- (Co)rto.
-
- The different Filipino styles typically cover some (or all) of the following
- areas:
-
- 1 Single Stick (or long blade)
- 2 Double long weapon
- 3 Long & Short (sword & dagger, e.g.)
- 4 Single dagger
- 5 Double Dagger
- 6 Palm Stick/Double-end Dagger
- 7 Empty Hands (punching, kicking, grappling)
- 8 Spear/Staff, long weapons (two-handed)
- 9 Flexible weapons (whip, sarong, etc.)
- 10 Throwing weapons
- 11 Projectile weapons (bows, blowguns)
- 12 Healing arts
-
- A further distinction that some people make is that some Filipino
- styles are, at their heart, blade arts, while others are designed to
- work with sticks. There are some arts, such as Sayoc Kali, that focus
- on the knife almost exclusively, while there are others, such as some
- lineages of Balintawak Eskrima, that focus almost entirely on the
- single stick. This focus in certain lineages or styles may be the
- origin of the notion that Kali is more "complete" than Arnis or
- Escrima. However, this is a matter of some contention.
-
- A distinctive feature of all of these Filipino arts is their use of
- geometry. In strikes/defenses and movement, lines and angles are very
- important. In addition, the independent use of the hands, or hands and
- feet, to do two different things at the same time, is a high-level
- skill sought after a fair amount of experience.
-
- Training:
-
- Filipino styles normally classify attacks not by their weapon, or
- their delivery style, but by the direction of their energy - for
- example, a strike to the head is usually analyzed in terms of "a high
- lateral strike." A punch to the gut is treated much the same as a
- straight knife thrust to that region would be. Students learn how to
- deal with the energy of the attack, and then apply that knowledge to
- the slight variations that come with different lengths and types of
- weapons.
-
- Filipino arts place great emphasis on footwork, mobility, and body
- positioning. The same concepts (of angles of attack, deflections,
- traps, passes, etc.) are applied to similar situations at different
- ranges, making the understanding of ranges and how to bridge them very
- important. The Filipinos make extensive use of geometric shapes,
- superimposing them on a combat situation, and movement patterns, to
- teach fighters to use their position and their movement to best
- advantage. Some styles emphasize line-cutting (a la Wing Chun), while
- some are very circular (like Aikido). Some like to stay at long range,
- some will move inside as soon as possible. These differences are hotly
- debated, as are most things, but they all work differently for
- different people.
-
- Most Filipino arts stress the importance of disarming an opponent in
- combat. This is not usually done gently, or by using a complex disarm
- (although these are taught), but by "destroying" the hand holding the
- attacking weapon using your weapon (break the hand, and the stick will
- fall.) This is often referred to as "de-fanging the snake", since a
- poisonous snake that has no fangs cannot harm you.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- Latosa Escrima, Serrada Escrima, Dumog, Panandiakman, Panantukan, Sikaran.
-
- Serrada Escrima, Balintawak Eskrima, Modern Arnis, Garimot Arnis,
- Inosanto/LaCoste Kali, Sayoc Kali, Doce Pares, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, many
- more.
-
-
- 16.17) Karate
-
- (Contributors: Howard S. High - GODZILLA@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu,
- Avron Boretz - aab2@cornell.edu,
- Izar Tarandach - izar@cs.huji.ac.il,
- Richard Parry - parry_r@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz)
-
- Intro:
-
- Somewhat generic term used for Japanese and Okinawan fighting arts.
-
- Origin: Okinawa
-
- History:
-
- Karate is a term that either means "Chinese hand" or "Empty hand"
- depending on which Japanese or Chinese characters you use to write it.
- The Okinawan Karates could be said to have started in the 1600s when
- Chinese practitioners of various Gongfu styles mixed and trained with
- local adherents of an art called "te" (meaning "hand") which was a
- very rough, very simple fighting style similar to Western boxing.
- These arts generally developed into close- range, hard, external
- styles.
-
- In the late 19th century Gichin Funakoshi trained under several of the
- great Okinawan Karate masters (Itosu, Azato) as well as working with
- Jigoro Kano (see Judo) and Japanese Kendo masters (see Kendo).
- Influenced by these elements, he created a new style of Karate. This
- he introduced into Japan in the first decade of the 20th century and
- thus to the world. The Japanese Karates (or what most people refer to
- when they say "karate") are of this branch.
-
- Description:
-
- Okinawan Karate styles tend to be hard and external. In defense they
- tend to be circular, and in offense linear. Okinawan karate styles
- tend to place more emphasis on rigorous physical conditioning than the
- Japanese styles. Japanese styles tend to have longer, more stylistic
- movements and to be higher commitment. They also tend to be linear in
- movement, offense, and defense.
-
- Both tend to be high commitment, and tend to emphasize kicks and
- punches, and a strong offense as a good defense.
-
- Training:
-
- This differs widely but most of the Karate styles emphasize a fairly
- equal measure of basic technique training (repitition of a particular
- technique), sparring, and forms. Forms, or kata, as they are called,
- are stylized patterns of attacks and defenses done in sequence for
- training purposes.
-
- Sub-Styles: (Okinawan): Uechi-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, Isshin-Ryu
- (Japanese): Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, Wado-Ryu
-
- Here is a more complete list (complements of Howard High) in which
- Okinawan and Japanese styles are mixed:
-
- Ashihara, Chinto-Ryu, Chito-Ryu, Doshinkan, Gohaku-Kai, Goju-Ryu
- (Kanzen), Goju-Ryu (Okinawan), Goju-Ryu (Meibukan), Gosoku-Ryu,
- Isshin-Ryu, Kenseido, Koei-Kan, Kosho-Ryu Kenpo, Kyokushinkai, Kyu
- Shin Ryu, Motobu-Ryu, Okinawan Kempo, Okinawa Te, Ryokukai, Ryuken,
- Ryukyu Kempo, Sanzyu-Ryu , Seido, Seidokan, Seishin-Ryu, Shindo
- Jinen-Ryu, Shinjimasu, Shinko-Ryu, Shito-Ryu (Itosu-Kai), Shito-Ryu
- (Seishinkai), Shito-Ryu (Kofukan), Shito-Ryu (Kuniba Ha) , Shito-Ryu
- (Motobu Ha), Shorin-Ryu (Kobayashi), Shorin-Ryu (Matsubayashi),
- Shorin-Ryu (Shobayashi), Shorin-Ryu (Matsumura), Shorinji Kempo,
- Shorinji-Ryu, Shoshin-Ryu, Shotokai, Shotokan, Shotoshinkai, Shudokai,
- Shuri-Ryu, Shuri-Te, Uechi-Ryu , Wado-Kai, Wado-Ryu, Washin-Ryu,
- Yoseikan, Yoshukai, Yuishinkan.
-
- Sub-Style Descriptions:
-
- Wado-Ryu was founded by Hironori Ohtsuka around the 1920s. Ohtsuka
- studied Jujutsu for many years before becoming a student of Gichin
- Funakoshi. Considered by some to be Funakoshi's most brilliant
- student, Ohtsuka combined the movements of Jujutsu with the striking
- techniques of Okinawan Karate. After the death of Ohtsuka in the early
- 1980s, the style split into two factions: Wado Kai, headed by
- Ohtsuka's senior students; and Wado Ryu, headed by Ohtsuka's son,
- Jiro. Both factions continue to preserve most of the basic elements of
- the style.
-
- Uechi-ryu Karate, although it has become one of the main Okinawan
- martial arts and absorbed many of the traditional Okinawan karate
- training methods and approaches, is historically, and to some extent
- technically quite separate. The "Uechi" of Uechi-ryu commemorates
- Uechi Kanbun, an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou, the capital city of
- Fujian province in China in 1897 to avoid being drafted into the
- Japanese army. There he studied under master Zhou Zihe for ten years,
- finally opening his own school, one of the few non-Chinese who
- ventured to do so at the time. The man responisble for bringing
- Uechi-ryu to the US is George Mattson.
-
- Uechi-ryu, unlike the other forms of Okinawan and Japanese karate
- mentioned in the FAQ, is only a few decades removed from its Chinese
- origins. Although it has absorbed quite a bit of Okinawan influence
- and evolved closer to such styles as Okinawan Goju-ryu over those
- decades, it still retains its original Chinese flavor, both in its
- technique and in the culture of the dojo. It is a "half-hard,
- half-soft" style very similar to such southern Chinese styles as
- Fukienese Crane (as still practiced in the Chinese communities of
- Malaysia), Taiwanese Golden Eagle, and even Wing Chun. Conditioning
- the body for both attack and defense is a common characteristic of
- both Okinawan karate and southern Shaolin "street" styles, and as such
- is an important part of Uechi training. There is a strong internal
- component to the practice, including focused breathing and tensioning
- exercises similar to Chinese Qigong. Uechi, following its Chinese
- Crane heritage, emphasizes circular blocks, low snap kicks, infighting
- (coordinating footwork with grabs, locks, throws, and sweeps), and
- short, rapid hand traps and attacks (not unlike Wing Chun).
-
-
- 16.18) Kendo
-
- (Contributor: Al Bowers - bowers@wilbur.dfrf.nasa.gov)
-
- Intro: This is a popular sport in Japanese communities.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- Kendo is the sport and competitive form of Kenjutsu. Kendo has been
- practiced for a long time in one form or another.
-
- Description:
-
- The practitioners wear protective armor and use simulated swords
- (split bamboo called "shinai") to "spar" against one another. Strike
- areas are limited as are moves. It is a very formal art. It is
- linear, hard, and external.
-
- Training:
-
- Training mostly consists of two-person drills, basics, and some kata
- that have been retained from kenjutsu between individuals.
-
- Sub-Styles: none (?)
-
-
- 16.19) Kenjutsu
-
- (Contributor: Al Bowers - bowers@wilbur.dfrf.nasa.gov)
-
- Intro: The combative use of a sword.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- The origins of this art are lost in the midst of history. It probably
- has its origins in 12th century or 11th century Japan. It is famous
- in myth and story from people like Miyamoto Mushashi in the 15th
- century.
-
- There are 4 root systems, Cujo-ryu, Nen-ryu, Kage-ryu and Shinto Ryu.
- These probably all have roots prior to the beginning of the 16th
- century. In the 16th century, there was an explosion of styles, with
- many being formed between then and the present.
-
- Modern kenjutsu schools trace from either the monk Jion (Nen ryu or
- Cujo ryu) or from Iiosai, the founder of the Tenshin Shoden Katori
- Shinto Ryu.
-
- Description:
-
- This is a hard, weapon style using the Japanese sword. It involves
- powerful, high commitment strikes to selected targets in order to kill
- the opponent. There is a strong side of spiritual and philosophical
- study, similar in a way to that of Aikido.
-
- Training:
-
- There is a large amount of two-person work, mostly with wooden swords
- (bokken). Some schools use the fukuru shinai, an ancestor of todays
- weapon (Shinkage ryu, Nen-ryu). Sparring is a developed student
- activity.
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
- Kage, Shinkage, Yagyu Shinkage Cujo, Itto-ryu, Nen-ryu, Katori Shinto
- Ryu, Kashima shin-ryu, Niten-ichi-ryu, Jigen-ryu.
-
- Shinkage was a royal school - for the Shogun.
-
-
- 16.20) Kenpo (American - see also Kajukenbo)
-
- (Contributor: Stephen Kurtzman - stephen@kurtzman.com)
-
- Note: In the Japanese language, the consonants "n" and "m" have the
- same symbol, thus the English spelling can be rendered either "Kempo"
- or "Kenpo". There are several arts in this family, but the spelling
- of "Ken/mpo" is not of significance in distinguishing between them.
-
- This art is also called Kenpo Karate. American Kenpo is an eclectic
- art developed by Hawaiian Ed Parker in the 60s. The art combines the
- Kara-Ho Kenpo which Parker learned from William Chow with influences
- from Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, and Western Martial sources.
-
- American Kenpo blends circular motions and evasive movements with
- linear kicks and punches. The art is oriented toward street-wise self
- defense. A big emphasis on basics, sparring, and kata. It is similar
- to most Karate styles in its training mechanisms.
-
- The Tracy schools of Kenpo teach Parker's style, but are a
- "politically" separate organization.
-
-
- 16.21) Kempo (Kosho Ryu)
-
- Contributor: Mark Edward Bober (kempo@itw.com)
-
- Introduction:
-
- Kosho Ryu Ken/mpo is a philosophical art much like Jeet Kune Do but
- with a Zen influences...lots of mind science material and healing
- arts. It is not a style of compiled kata or specific techniques..it is
- a study of all motion and therefore cannot be stylised to look like a
- specific teacher or animal movement. Thus, this writeup will discuss
- only the history of the art.
-
- Origin: Japan
-
- History:
-
- Kosho Shorei Kempo was created by several happenings, spanning a
- period of centuries. According to Mitose Sensei, during the invasion
- of Genghis Khan, the Head Monk of the Shaolin Temple fled China and
- found refuge with the Mitose family. In appreciation for the kindness
- of the Mitose's, he taught them Shaolin Chuan Fa (Shorinji Kempo in
- Japanese). From James Mitose's book:
-
- "Fifteen hundred years ago, the ancestor (of the Author) was a Shinto
- priest. He studied and taught many different martial arts including
- sword fighting, lance fighting, fighting with the bow and arrow,
- fighting on horseback, and swim fighting. Some arts looked like Kempo,
- Karate, Gongfu, and Ju-jitsu- but they were different in many ways.
- He mastered all of these arts and became Grand Master. Then Grand
- Master Mitose founded a martial arts school and called his style
- Mitose's Martial Art School."
-
- In 1235 a Shinto priest whom James Mitose called his first ancestor
- became enlightened to what we call Kempo. According to Mitose, this
- man was a martial arts master and a Buddhist monk studying at Shaka-In
- who found it difficult to be both. His religion taught him pacifism;
- his martial art taught him destruction. He pondered this dilemma under
- an old pine tree meaning Kosho in Japanese. He became enlightened and
- was from then on known as, Kosho Bosatsu, the Old Pine Tree
- Enlightened One. He discovered the relationship between man and Nature
- and also the secret of the Escaping Arts which is what makes Kempo a
- True and Pure Kempo or study of all Natural Law through a Martial Arts
- medium. Then "the Grand Master founded the Kosho Shorei Temple of
- Peace, True Self Defense and Kosho Shorei Yoga School. At that time,
- he made up the Coat of Arms and the Motto for his Temple. In his
- Temple, he taught how to escape from being harmed by using the
- escaping patterns, with God's help."
-
- Only 2 people in the world learned the Escaping Arts from Mitose
- Sensei and one of these two learned all the facets of Kosho, namely
- its 22 Generation Grandmaster Bruce Juchnik. The highest goal is to
- defend oneself without body contact unlike Okinawan/Japanese Karate
- systems or many other Ken/mpo systems.
-
- Kosho Ryu influences can be seen in Ed Parker and his creation
- American Kenpo. He added many labels to concepts inherent in Kosho
- that had Japanese names or no labels at all.
-
- References: "What Is Self Defense" 1953 James M. Mitose
- "What Is True Self Defense" 1981 James M. Mitose
-
-
- 16.22) Kempo (Ryukyu)
-
- (Contributor: Al Wilson - awilson@drunivac.drew.edu)
-
- Intro:
-
- Ryukyu Kempo (which roughly translates into Okinawan kung-fu, or
- Chinese boxing science) is the original style of martial arts learned
- and taught by Gichin Funakoshi on the island of Okinawa (1). It
- stresses the existence of body points within your opponent that can be
- struck or grappled for more effective fighting.
-
- Origin: Okinawa Islands (Ryukyu island chain).
-
- History:
-
- Practioners of Ryukyu Kempo believe that karate-do is a popular
- subform of Kempo, established within this century by Gichin Funakoshi.
- People with original copies of Funakoshi's first edition book _Ryukyu
- Kempo_ state that he is clearly is grappling and touching an opponent.
- Later editions and current karate books only show a practioner with a
- retracted punch, where the original shows actively grappling an enemy.
- It is felt that Funakoshi was the last of the purists, wanting all to
- learn the art.
-
- In subseqent years, the Okinawans, who have a culture and history of
- their own, became disenchanted with the Japanese, and were less
- inclined to teach them the "secret techniques" of self defence. When
- American military men occupied Japan after WWII, they became enamored
- of the martial-arts. It is theorized that the Japanese and Okinawans
- were reluctant to teach the secrets of their national art to the
- occupiers, and so taught a "watered down" version of karate-do usually
- reserved for children. Contemporary Kempo practioners practice
- "pressure point fighting" or Kyushu-jitsu and grappling, called Tuite.
- It is an exact art of striking small targets on the body, such as
- nerve centers, and grappling body points in manners similar to Jujitsu
- or Aikido(2).
-
- Modern teachers of this are George Dillman of Reading, PA, Taiku Oyata
- of Independence, Missouri, Rick Clark of Terre Haute, Indiana, and
- others.
-
- Training:
-
- The practioners of kempo believe that kata do not represent origin or
- direction of attacks but positional techniques for the defender.
- Concentration is made on physical perfection of kata and the Bunkai,
- or explanation of the movements. Tournaments of kata and kumite
- (sparriing) are encouraged as learning experiences, but not overly
- stressed. Also taught is Kobudo, which is defined as weapons fighting
- using ordinary hand tools.
-
- Five principles to be observed in Oyata's school:
- 1. Proper distance.
- 2. Eye contact.
- 3. Minimum pain inflication on your opponent.
- 4. Legally safe.
- 5. Morally defensible.(3)
-
- There are a couple of physical differences in Kempo and many other
- styles. One is a three-quarter punch, rather than a full twist.
- Second is a fist whereby the thumb stops at the first finger, rather
- than the first two fingers. Third is the sword hand, which has the
- little finger placed as parallel as possible to the third finger and
- the thumb straight and on the inside rather than bent.(2)
-
- References:
- (1) _Karate-Do: My Way of Life_ by Gichin Funakoshi
- (2) _Kyusho Jitsu: The Dillman Method of Pressure Point Fighting_
- by George A. Dillman with Chris Thomas.
- (3) _Ryukyu Kempo: History and Basics_ by J. D. Logue (Oyata
- student).
-
- Sub-Styles:
-
-
- 16.23) Kobudo
-
- (Contributors: Steve Gombosi - sog@craycos.com,
- John Simutis - simutis@ingres.com)
-
- Intro:
-
- "Kobudo" literally means "ancient martial ways". In the karate world,
- it generally refers to those traditional Okinawan weapons whose
- history and practice has been linked to that of karate.
-
- Origin: Okinawa
-
- Description:
-
- Most Okinawan styles have at least some kobudo/kobujutsu curriculum.
- In addition, there are at least two major Okinawan organizations whose
- primary focus is these weapons arts: the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon
- Shinko-kai and the Okinawa Kobudo Renmei. In the US there is 'Okinawa
- Kobudo Association, USA'; the shihan in the US is in Citrus Heights,
- CA. There may be other US Kobudo organizations.
-
- The most common kobudo weapons (and the ones most often taught by
- Okinawan karate systems) are:
-
- bo - staff, usually a rokushakubo or "six foot staff", although 4, 9,
- and 12 foot staffs are also used.
- sai - three-tined iron clubs, usually carried as a set of 3.
- nunchaku - two short tapered wooden clubs, connected at the narrow
- ends by a short rope or chain (a flail, as well as other uses).
- kama - a sickle, used singly or in pairs;
- tuifa/tonfa - a club with a hand-length perpendicular handle, the
- ancestor to the police PR-24; usually used in pairs.
-
- Less common weapons are:
-
- koa - a hoe.
- eku - a boat oar.
- tekko - essentially brass knuckles.
- shuchu - a small kubotan-like thing about 5" long.
- san-setsu-kon - the 3-section staff.
- surujin/suruchen - a weighted chain with a spike or blade on one end -
- similar to the Chinese chain whip or the Japanese manrikigusari;
- tinbe - actually, this is two weapons...the tinbe itself, which is a
- small shield traditionally made of the shell of a sea tortoise, and
- the rochin, which is a short spear with a cutting blade - the weapon
- actually resembles a Zulu spear more than anything else.
- kusarikama - a kama on the end of a rope or chain.
- nunti - a short spear.
-
- and a few other oddball implements of mayhem including spears and the
- occasional pilfered Japanese sword ;-).
-
-
- 16.24) Krav Maga
-
- (Contributor: Peter Muldoon - muldoon@bway.net)
-
- Intro: The Israeli official Martial Art
-
- Origin: Israel
-
- History:
-
- The Krav Maga was developed in Israel in the early forties when the
- underground liberation organizations were fighting for the
- independence of the State of Israel. At that time, it was illegal to
- possess weapons. The inventor and developer of the Krav Maga was a
- champion heavy weight boxer, a judo champion, and an expert in
- jiu-jutsu. In addition, he was as a trapeze acrobat and a well known
- dancer. The knowledge he thus obtained, contributed to the
- development of the Israeli martial art of self defense. There is no
- hidden meaning behind the name Krav Maga, and literarily means
- "contact fight / battle".
-
- The Krav Maga was put into practice originally by the fighters of the
- liberation organizations that often went to battle armed with knives
- or sticks and with the knowledge of Krav Maga, and they were very
- successful. After the establishment of the State of Israel, Krav Maga
- was adopted as the official martial art taught in the defense forces,
- and especially in the elite police and army units. Krav Maga was
- integrated into army training by Imi Lichenfield, a career IDF officer
- and chief instructor at the armys physical training facility at the
- Wingate Institute. Imi is still active involved in the Krav Maga
- Association and maintains the role of president.
-
- Over the years, the Krav Maga has turned into an integrated part of
- training in many disciplines such as educational institutes. Krav
- Maga is taught in many public schools in Isreal.
-
- Description:
-
- The Krav Maga is not an ecletic martial art system, rather, it was
- developed with the perception that the classic martial arts were
- lacking various elements. The defense needs in the eras that the
- classic martial arts were developed were different than those of
- today. New unique techniques for defense against pistols, guns and
- hand grenades were considered needed, and therefore developed.
-
- Krav Maga has no katas or specific sequences that must be followed.
- Students use the basic moves in conjunction with any one of a number
- of other moves to fend off an attack, the key idea being adaptability
- to new situations through improvisation. Emphasis is put on speed,
- endurance, strength, accuracy and co-ordination especially for
-
- intensive Krav Maga training.
-
- Training:
-
- Since the Krav Maga by definition is for self defense, it does not
- have any constitution and judicial rules and therefore there are no
- contests and exhibitions. The training is for practical usage in the
- every day reality. There is a colored belt system with a Black Belt
- typically granted after 8 to 10 years of practice. Spiritual and
- philosophical aspects are studied only at the Black Belt level.
-
- Get information from this website:
- http://www.bway.net/~muldoon/km.html and/or write to:
-
- Krav Maga Academy
- 57 West 84 st.
- New york, NY 10024
- (212) 580-5335
-
- Another website:
- Brazilian Association of Krav Maga: http://www.kravmaga.com.br
-
- Sub-Styles: None.
-
-
- 16.25) Kyudo
-
- (Contributor: E.Clay Buchanan - eclay.buchanan@microfocus.com)
-
- Intro: Japanese target archery practiced as a martial art.
-
- Origin: Japan.
-
- History:
-
- Kyudo, the Way of the Bow, is the oldest of Japan's traditional
- martial arts. The bow has been used in Japan since prehistoric times.
- From the fourth to the ninth century, close contacts between China
- and Japan had a great influence on Japanese archery, especially the
- Confucian belief that through a person's archery their true characters
- could be determined. Over hundreds of years archery was influenced by
- the Shinto and Zen Buddhist religions along with the pressing
- practical requirements of warriors. Court nobles concentrated on
- ceremonial archery while the warrior class emphasized kyujutsu, the
- martial technique of using the bow in actual warfare.
-
- With the introduction of firearms the bow as a weapon was neglected
- and almost died out all together until Honda Toshizane, a kyudo
- instructor at Tokyo Imperial University, combined elements of the
- warrior style and the court ceremonial style into a hybrid style which
- ultimately became known as the Honda Ryu (Honda martial school). This
- style found great favor with the general public and he is generally
- credited with saving Japanese Archery from oblivion. With the
- American occupation banning all martial art instruction, traditional
- kyujutsu schools declined further and when the ban was lifted, Kyudo,
- as opposed to kyujutsu, became widely practiced and the Zen Nihon
- Kyudo Federation (All Japan Kyudo Federation) was established in 1953,
- publishing the standard kyudo textbook called the Kyohon, and
- overseeing Kyudo development both in Japan and internationally up to
- the present time. There now exists a European Kyudo Federation which
- has annual seminars and promotion tests and in 1993 the first such
- seminar and promotion test was held in America in San Jose,
- California.
-
- Description:
-
- Kyudo is a highly meditative martial art whose ultimate goals are Shin
- (Truth i.e. the ultimate reality), Zen (Goodness) and Bi (Beauty).
- When asked the question "What is Truth?" a master archer would pick up
- a bow and arrow and shoot it, without saying a word, allowing the
- level of mastery of the bow to serve as the gauge of the archer's
- progress along the "way" thereby showing the archer's knowledge of
- reality i.e. "Truth" itself.
-
- By such diligent practice Confucian theory teaches that the archer
- will become morally good (Zen), and this sincerity of personality will
- excite the aesthetic sense of anyone watching at an intuitive,
- emotional level giving the performance a beauty derived not only from
- the technical skill of the archer but also from the archer's emotional
- maturity and spiritual sincerity.
-
- Training:
-
- Students typically begin by practicing visualization: performing the
- shooting motions with no equipment and then perhaps using the gomuyumi
- (rubber bow), a short stick with a length of rubber tube attached, to
- acquire the feel of real bow resistance. The first actual shots are
- fired into a straw bundle, called a makiwara, from a short distance of
- about three feet. The student then progresses to target shooting at a
- fixed regulation distance of 28 meters.
-
- All students, no matter which instructor or school, will shoot the
- same design of Japanese bow which is little changed from the twelfth
- century. Traditionally made of hardwoods laminated front and back with
- bamboo the Japanese bow is one of the longest in the world, usually
- over seven feet in length. It is a natural double recurve bow with the
- arrow nocked one third of the way from the bottom and the bow actually
- rotating in the hand at release approx. 270 degrees. The unique
- design of the bow requires that the bow actually be torqued or twisted
- in full draw to make the arrow fly straight.
-
- Sub-styles:
-
- Technically, styles can be divided into two broad categories, shamen
- uchiokoshi and shomen uchiokoshi, the modern shomen uchiokoshi style
- having been developed by Honda Toshizane. Shamen archers predraw the
- bow at an angle to the body and fix their grip on the bow before
- raising it. Shomen archers raise the bow straight over the head and
- fix their final grip on the bow in a predraw above the head.
-
- There were dozens of traditional schools before World War II and many
- of them survive today provoking endless debate as to the superiority
- of one over the other. In fact, some traditional schools still do not
- use the word kyudo preferring the word kyujutsu instead to describe
- their teachings. Some styles heavily emphasize the spiritual aspect of
- shooting and some proponents of Zen Archery view kyudo as a way to
- further their own spiritual development in Zen Buddhism.
-
- =====================================================================
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-
- Some answers given may reflect personal biases of the author and the
- martial arts FAQ listing's contributors. The answers contained herein
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- means exhaustive.
-
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- the net, and as such it belongs to the readers of rec.martial-arts.
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-
- --
- Matthew Weigel
- Research Systems Programmer
- mcweigel+@cs.cmu.edu
-