The Browncoat Martial Arts Forum

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Saturday, April 22, 2006 05:09
VIEWED: 16161
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CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:00 AM

To continue an old thread, long lost...
What Browncoat martial Arts people do we have here?
Like the man said to Lee: "Whatsh your schtyle?"

I studied Wing Chun, Okinawan Kempo, Aikido, Jeet Kune Do, Praying Mantis, and Tai Kwon Do.
My main style is Wing Chun, with a heavy Tai Chi influence (Summer appears to be doing some Combat Tai Chi in Serenity, along with some Wushu thrown in...).

So, styles? Real life fight stories? MA observations on Serenity, Angel, or Buffy?

Kwi-Changisall

RIVERGODDESS

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:02 AM

Impressive! I've been studying Shotokan karate for around 8 or so years now, and am a second degree brownbelt, just a few tests away from blackbelt (I'm 17). It's a Japanese style, and we don't use any kind of weapons or anything, but it's a powerful style that I really enjoy doing. When I get my blackbelt, I plan on studying different styles. I really love sparring, though yesterday in class we had to fight our senseis, and one of the younger ones punched me really really hard in the stomach, twice, then kicked me in the ribs. Hard. Ouch! I've also gotten some kid's toe in my eye when he was aiming for my head and got lazy
Oh, well. Even though I get the wind knocked out of me sometimes, I'm the last one to quit. (maybe because I'm such a stubborn ass sometimes!)
Also, I was very impressed with Summer's fighting skill in Serenity. That's some tough stuff! My friends were like "Hey, don't you do something like that, Sara?"
What other stories do everyone else have?

*~*~
Summer's response to Nathan getting his very own action figure:
"I tried to pull his head off."

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:27 AM

RiverGoddess, you go girl!
Shotokan is cool, I've sparred with (playfully) a student of that style in a Jeet Kune Do class.

Short MA story: I was always a kicker. Growing up seeing Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace literally kick his way to fame had me thinkin' "That's the way to go!"
So I developed my kicking so's I could hit from any angle, and almost any range. But then once I got tied up in a Junior High fight in a doorway, and couldn't kick. He was a wrestler, and tried to take me down. I slipped his headlock (some luck was involved), and reversed it, ramming his head into a brick wall twice. End of fight. But it showed me my strength of kicking could sometimes be a limitation.
Some years later (an understatement), I sought out styles that used hands and feet equally, and Wing Chun nicely gave me whatever expertise I now have above the waist.

*bows*

Kung-Fu fighting Chrisisall

KAZE

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:44 AM

I've been into martial arts since as far back as i can remember in one form or another. Got very serious about it for a while when i was in high school. I did tons of research on all aspects of martial arts, fitness, and related subjects and for a short while i had some regular people i trained with/taught. It all came very naturally to me as far as understanding what would and wouldn't work and why.

For a whole buncha different reason i eventually stopped practicing. I still have huge amounts of research material and stacks and stacks of notebooks and i even still research some now and then but i no longer am physically capable of proving any of my theories.

I usually don't talk much about it. Martial arts discussions can be as bad as arguing about religion sometimes. I just don't have time for it anymore but browncoats are always pretty cool so i figured i'd share a bit more than normal

MAGHAFFAR

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:21 AM

Ni Haozit, fellow BC MAers...
I first got into Chinese arts from watching ol' Kwai-Chang "I...wish no trouble" Caine when in my mid-teens. Now some 30 years later, I've studied southern Shaolin Hung Gar [tiger/crane] got to study / live with my sifu Fred Lee for about a year. He learned from Buck Sam Kong [Lum Jo / Lam Sai Wing branch] then I did about 3 years in a Chinese Shao-lin Center school - really comprehensive school -- made it to 3rd brown 'fore I relocated. Then I found a really good Taiji sifu from PRC who taught me the Wu-Chen-Yang 48. Learned the 8-piece brocade in Maui [lived there 4 years 96-2000]. Tonight, in fact, gonna meet up with a friend who videoed my taiji form so I can have it to review. Been doing more of the internal styles since the body ain't a spry as it used to be. [called me Snake in my 20s cuz I could do the side splits to the ground.] But now I mostly do the taiji / qigong thing, plus practicing punching metal, cement walls, poles, etc. Hung Gar teaches nice body conditioning exercises, arm banging, etc.
I've tried some Japanese/Korean stuff, but my heart's been won by the Shaolin / Taiji thing.
Been considering moving to Vegas for family-related reasons [sister & a nephew -- want to get him started in gungfu] plus there's a CSC school there. Gotta get back into the group class routine. Really miss it.
The gungfu thing is what got me into Chinese language, art, philosophy, history, etc.
Anyway, that's the wrap-up on my MA history.
[deep bow]
-- Jonathan M.A. Ghaffar
the Shaolin Muslim

=================================================================
Jonathan M.A.Ghaffar: a "Firefly"/Serenity-lovin' semi-muscular man with...
Simon's brain (top 90% of class) & vest, Jayne's caustic & hi-larious razor wit,
Wash's amiable nature, Mal's sense of honor, and Book's devotion to belief!=================================================================
MAGhaffar@wayoftheseekers.com
http://www.WAYoftheSEEKERS.com
http://www.TombofJesus.com
http://www.alislam.org

JOSSISAGOD

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:31 AM

I'm a wheelchair bound paraplegic so, mostly adapted Akido, and possibly some others that I'm unsure of. All of my training was informal, in a disabled self-defense class.

JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 6:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaze:

I usually don't talk much about it. Martial arts discussions can be as bad as arguing about religion sometimes.

Arguing 'The Way' is like religion or politics, and Bruce Lee showed me that 'The Way' is like life: ever fluid and always adaptable.
Peace, my fellow MA Browncoat.

Fighting without fighting Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 7:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MAGhaffar:
Gotta get back into the group class routine. Really miss it.

Know what you mean, since moving to Massachusetts, my sparring has been put on hold. No Chinese Gungfu here, all straight up punch and kick; dying for some ying/yang movement.

When the opponent expands, I contract Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 7:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jossisagod:
mostly adapted Akido, and possibly some others that I'm unsure of.

As I get older, I realize that real Martial Arts is about perception and harmony of motion, and not strength or agression. That's for Boxers.

Chrisisall

KAZE

Monday, March 27, 2006 8:25 AM

In what part of Massachusetts do you live? I used to know a guy who taught wing chun and some other martial arts, had a good mix going. He may still be around i could dig up his info for you if you're close enough.

CITIZEN

Monday, March 27, 2006 9:01 AM

Great minds Chris, I was thinking of starting something like this but I kept forgetting (okay maybe my mind ain't that great)...

Nam Yang ('South Seas') Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do (grew from Hwang Kwon Do, the same martial art Tai Kwon Do grew from), Judo, Kaibudokahn, Jeet Kune Do, Akido.

I tend to think of Martial Arts as Control, yourself, your opponent and your actions.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. But I know none, and therefore am no beast.

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Monday, March 27, 2006 9:45 AM

To add to the thread here,
practice Kendo and Iaido. Kendo is Japanese fencing and Iaido is how to draw, cut, and resheath the blade. Also basic Aikido class while going to college in Japan. Its funny how screwed up Martial Arts classes can get here in the States. Have heard of a couple here in Idaho. One guy near Ontario,OR was teaching what he was calling Kendu, a really screwed up version of kendo basically focusing on how to beat up some one w/ a shinai. If you have to use violance, then you have already lossed!!! 2nd the more strikes you have to make you lose again. Some time I will post up a picture of my Iai tou (Iaido katana) --- Operative eat your heart out, lol My high school in Japan that I went to first time over, was the strongest ranked for Naginata on the island. Well hope that helps
mata, Ookami yori
Kendo to Iaido --- 1 mind, 1 strike, & 1 voice

I ain't disagreen, I only wanted another drink!!!

AGIRLYMAN

Monday, March 27, 2006 1:13 PM

I studied "Sang Yu", under Adley Nitska", and I would love to meet the real you.

AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!?!?!?

Tee Hee

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, March 27, 2006 1:23 PM

I have been practicing the martial arts for just shy of 20 years. I have taken Aikido, Shotokan, and Jeet Kune Do. I also got a two week crash course in Jiu Jitsu when I was in the Rangers. I have blended all of these into a fighting style of my own, that works very well for me.

I have not had to actually fight someone in years, and hope never to have to, but I keep training so I am ready if I ever need it.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Monday, March 27, 2006 1:31 PM

I've watched every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. A lot.

And I once beat my little brother at Tekken 2. I think I was playing as Yoshimitsu (sp?). He did this really cool sword thing.

Okay, I have ~no~ martial arts training. None. Whatsoever. The reason I posted is because I'd like to know what type of martial arts would suit a beginner, and what (if anything) I should try before I even think of starting a martial arts class - given that I'm not incredibly fit and have a complete and total lack of hand eye coordination.

I've heard of a self defense style derived from Martial Arts that I ~think~ was called Krav Maga, which is supposed to be very intuitive and good for beginners. Has anyone heard of it? Any advice? I'd really like to give something like this a go. It was one of my new year's resolutions this year :)

Simple stuff is fine. Not looking to become a kick boxing champ or break bricks with my hands or anything. Just looking for an interesting way to get fit, and get some defense skills too!

HARDWARE

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:11 PM

Well, back in the original thread I related my experience with a physical intervention training that stole a lot of pieces from jui jitsu and classic wrestling. I started learning while working with the mentally retarded and eventually moved to working with the mentally ill on a locked hospital ward.

For a while there was a real situation every day. I worked with adult males who were long term institutionalized. I had three patients who were Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity for murder on the ward at the same time.

Fun times.

Right now I've gotten back into martial arts but for reasons stated above I have no desire to participate in a "hard" style. I don't need to spar, nothing to prove. I've done seen that elephant.

I've just started taking formal lessons in Yang family Tai Chi. Very different and from prior experience I can see how it would be very effective in self defense. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the slow, graceful movement "exercise" form. Watching advanced students work with the weapon forms however is a whole different art.

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaze:
In what part of Massachusetts do you live?

Western. I used to live near NYC, plenty of choice around there.

Kung Pow Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:

Nam Yang ('South Seas') Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do (grew from Hwang Kwon Do, the same martial art Tai Kwon Do grew from), Judo, Kaibudokahn, Jeet Kune Do, Akido.

Very diverse, Grasshopper. Have you ever had to use your skill in RL (say, like during a football riot

)?

Hyahh Chrisisall

KAZE

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:21 PM

In a real fight the best advice i can say for a beginner is to kick them in the shins, poke them in the eyes and run away real fast. If you want to get in shape and learn some self defense then i recommend boxing as the safest bet.

Absolutely do not get into any aerobic martial arts training of any kind unless you only want to get in shape. Reason being it will make you tired and when you practice tired you tend to get sloppy and it tends to become a habit.

The reason i recommended boxing is because most places that teach it have sparring so they are preparing you for an actual combative situation. This usually involves getting in shape and learning good fighting stuff. You never have to spar if you don't want to but the training will definately get you in good shape and will somewhat better prepare for if anything were to happen.

Just don't forget the shin kick and eye poke if you're in real danger. It's almost always best to run away as soon as it's a solid option. No matter how good a person is they can be caught off guard or or face an unfamiliar situation or the attacker could be simply better armed and/or in a better position

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ookamikawahara:
Its funny how screwed up Martial Arts classes can get here in the States.

My Aikido teacher studied in Japan; he said the way most teach MA in the States is very 'girly', or unfocused.
My Okinawan Kempo teacher was FROM Okinawa, and he used to whip us with a metal curtain rod when our form was poor. Our form was generally not poor

.

Thank you sir, may I have another Chrisisall

KAZE

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:23 PM

Ahh, wrong end of Massachusetts, heh. Best of luck to you though

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by agirlyman:
I studied "Sang Yu", under Adley Nitska", and I would love to meet the real you.

Drop and give me...infinity!

No mercy Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:

I have not had to actually fight someone in years, and hope never to have to, but I keep training so I am ready if I ever need it.

*bows*

Kindred spirit Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:

Just looking for an interesting way to get fit, and get some defense skills too!

Styles are just styles; the teacher is key. Observe a class of anything, and see if the teacher seems into it, and if most of the students seem to move well. A good Shotokan Karate class, or some sort of Kempo might work well for you. Judo might also be fun, if rolling doesn't bother ya.

360 Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hardware:

I've just started taking formal lessons in Yang family Tai Chi. Very different and from prior experience I can see how it would be very effective in self defense.

I have books on Tai Chi, and my best friend is a teacher. It works if ya work it (Damn, he's hard to tag!). The Kung Fu TV show was mostly Tai Chi (mixed with Shaolin Long Fist, I believe), first season fights in particular were actually very good (just not exciting in that Enter the Dragon-like way).

Chrisisall Caine

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaze:
Ahh, wrong end of Massachusetts, heh. Best of luck to you though

Thanks, 'Jayne'.

Chrisisall

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:47 PM

Thanks for the info, Chrisisall. I'll definately take that advice.

As for real life fighting, I've discovered an advantage to carrying a very heavy book around with you. Turns out the entire Microsoft Office Specialist study guide in a shoulder bag is a surprisingly effective weapon when an angry drunk starts to get threatening.

I knew Microsoft had to be good for something

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 2:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:

I knew Microsoft had to be good for something

The world is your weapon; watch any good Jackie Chan flick.

Chan's the man Chrisisall

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:01 PM

Actually, I took my inspiration from a Buffy episode. Lessons, to be exact.

I have watched a lot of Jackie Chan though. You just can't beat curling up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn while watching "Who am I?"

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:

You just can't beat curling up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn while watching "Who am I?"

MY FAVOURITE JACKIE FILM!!!! Amazing final rooftop fight!

I could make a list of my other favourites, but a list of Chan's films that are not favourites would be shorter.

I even liked Tuxedo Chrisisall

MEIMEIMEG

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:08 PM

It's cool that so many browncoats here are into martial arts. I'm not myself (I'm struggling to make myself run on the treadmill every other day), but my husband (also a browncoat, though not as obsessive as me)is actually currently studying with ARMA, which is the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts. They study the European medieval combat (the real stuff you'd use in warfare, not like fencing or anything). They use the old training texts, translated of course, because most of them are in old german. Anyway, he's having tons of fun with it.

It's nice for me because I write medieval fantasy novels with lots of battle scenes, and he can let me know what's actually accurate, and whats too "Hollywood".

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 3:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by meimeimeg:

It's nice for me because I write medieval fantasy novels with lots of battle scenes, and he can let me know what's actually accurate, and whats too "Hollywood".

Did you see the first 'clan' encounter in 'Highlander'?

Too real Chrisisall

MEIMEIMEG

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:02 PM

I've only seen bits and pieces of Highlander. I remember some kind of lame fight in a high tower that was crumbling. It didn't impress me enough to want to watch the whole thing. Is the movie good, though?

GAZERBEAM

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:06 PM

Does Smackdown Fu count?
I, like many other early 20's pasty-white geeks, have no style :)

----------------------------------------
"The people who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do."
"Yeah, but we won't care."

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by meimeimeg:
I remember some kind of lame fight in a high tower that was crumbling. It didn't impress me enough to want to watch the whole thing. Is the movie good, though?

The fight scenes were clumbsy, especially by today's standards, but dramatically, the movie was awsome. The 'clan' encounter I referred to was actually very realistic, and sort of repulsive (as real fighting is).
Worth a look.

But then, I own it Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 27, 2006 4:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by GazerBeam:

I, like many other early 20's pasty-white geeks, have no style :)

Get some style, son, so that you may transend it; then get back to me

.

Rude Chrisisall

FOLLOWMAL

Monday, March 27, 2006 10:04 PM

No martial arts experience here, but I love hearing about all of you who do.

Hope now that this is back to the front page that there will be more posts.

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:17 AM

Rivergoddess -
Hey Kohai. Unless of course you've advanced since that first post. I'm a Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) in Shotokan style Karate. I've been studying for eight years, and I hope to continue. I also want to study Ninjiutsu if I can, along with Kendo and Aikido.

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

LANCER

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 2:37 AM

7 years Chinese Kenpo, with Maui Thai and Brazilian Jujitsu thrown in the mix. done a lot of contact sparring, a little knight/sword fighting and a lot of shooting.

No power in the 'verse can stop me

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 8:55 AM

Depends on what your interested in and what is near you Desktophippie !!! I personally would recommend any one of the traditional marital arts so here goes ones from Japan: Kendo, Judo, Karate, Aikido, Kyudo (archery), naginata (altough I have never heard of this being taught in U.S.), Iaido, and Kenpo. Would have to do some research to find which are traditional Chinese martial art schools/styles. As to judging whether a Dojo is right or not, here are the 3 things you should look at, 1. Is the dojo affilated with a regional or international orginzation for promoting the specific Martial Art?, 2. Does the Sensei (Teacher) and students seem really interested in the martial art and will give you good training? 3. Does this Type of Martial Art inspire yourself to commit the time, money /and does it help improve you as an individual? So hope this helps you and that you can find something that works. Oh, for anyone interested the school of Iaido, that my dojo practices is Muso Shinden Ryu- one of the more well known Iaido schools.
mata, Ookami yori

The mirror reflects yourself, the blade slices away the bad parts of yourself, the stones in the tumbler help to polish yourself, that is the way of Kendo and Iaido!!!

ARCLIGHT

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:56 PM

Started Tae Kwon Do training when I was 14 (1971). That being the only martial arts available to white folk in this part of the country then. Have had many instructors over the years all primarily TKD. My best instructor taught a variety of styles. So besides TKD I've picked up a lot of Judo, Kung fu, Aikido and weapons training. Martial arts is a blast and the only form of exercise that holds my interest. So whenever I feel it's time to do something about the love handles, it's off to the dojo again.
Anyway, I've chopped 'til I dropped (off & on) for 34 years now.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 2:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by arclight:
Started Tae Kwon Do training when I was 14 (1971).

Okay, you got me beat. I only been in it since '74 (though I used to pretend to kick during The Green Hornet...

).

Kato Chrisisall

CITIZEN

Thursday, March 30, 2006 7:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisIsAll:
Very diverse, Grasshopper. Have you ever had to use your skill in RL (say, like during a football riot)?

Not really. Some guy jumped a friend of mine one night when we were drunk, I grabed him and knocked him on his arse, then his mate wrapped a metal bar round my head...

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. But I know none, and therefore am no beast.

CAUSAL

Thursday, March 30, 2006 7:54 PM

Krav Maga.

________________________________________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

AMITON

Thursday, March 30, 2006 8:30 PM

Well, since this thread got dragged back to the front page...

I studied Juijitsu and Tae Kwon Do for a few years a while back. More recently (after moving) I joined a Kuk Sool Won school, and learned quite a few things. The first was that I was more interested in the people and the environment than a particular style or approach. The second (important) one that I picked up on was that it really doesn't matter what system you're in, it's how well you understand what you're trying to do and what your opponent is trying to do. If you understand both very well, then you should be able to mitigate the greatest amount of your threat. As was pointed out earlier in the thread, it's best to not get in a fight, and second best to get away from a fight as quickly as safely possible.

My particular school (and the school owned by my teacher's instructor) left the World Kuk Sool Won Association almost a year ago. Most of the curriculum is the same as what was taught in KSW twenty years ago (it got watered down a lot in recent years), and added some things that round the system out very well.

Amiton.

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:41 PM

Just some shameless selfpromotion, but finally got my Iai tou (practice blade for Iaido) picture up in the Bluesun forum. So anyone interested please check it out. Otherwise enjoy and I will talk with everyone later.
mata, Ookami yori

slow, slow, slow, and slow --- 1 strike = Iaido

DAVEISB

Friday, March 31, 2006 2:48 AM

It's always great to meet some fellow martial artists ^^

Currently I take Aikido and Capoeira, and i'm planning to join a Judo club by the end of the year. Needless to say, it's going to be very busy!

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 1:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
then his mate wrapped a metal bar round my head...

...AND....

Didja live

Chrisisall

DUELIST

Friday, March 31, 2006 3:13 PM

I practice Yang Short Form (Cheng Man Ching lineage Tai Chi,) and have been studying and teaching rapier fencing for almost 20 years. Not really martial arts, more mayhem and fun, but I'm also pretty into full-contact LARPs and scenario airsoft/paintball.

CITIZEN

Friday, March 31, 2006 5:13 PM

Quote:
...AND....

Didja live Chrisisall

No, this is Zombie Citizen...

CitizenIsAfter Your Braaaaiiiinsssss!

Or I woke up in a pool of my own blood, I forget, things a little hazy...

Though I did have some rather fetching bruises, like the one that was shapped like the letters AAH on the side of my face that was left exposed when I dropped.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. But I know none, and therefore am no beast.

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 6:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:

Though I did have some rather fetching bruises, like the one that was shapped like the letters AAH on the side of my face that was left exposed when I dropped.

In the words of Nancy Regan, when someone wants to give you a lead pipe, just say no.

Ouch Chrisisall

NEWBROWNCOAT

Friday, March 31, 2006 6:47 PM

Interesting thread. What is really interesting to me, though, is the age of many of the browncoats replying to it. Between references to Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Kwai Chang Caine, and Bruce Lee, I can see that many of us got their martial arts training back in the early to mid 70's ;-) Amazing. First time I saw Bill Wallace was at a kicking demonstration that he gave at a tournament held by my school in Ohio in about 1974-1975. I was a yellow belt in Ji-Do-Kwan at the time. Progressed to Brown Belt, then got a job and career and didn't get back into martial arts till the early 90's. I've studied American Kenpo ever since.

But when I think of martial arts, I think of those days, the 70's, when martial arts was really taking off in the US, but there was still a lot of purity to it. Now days, you have to look pretty hard to find it. It has become far to commercialized, pre-packaged, and protected (there were no pads when sparring back in the early 70's ;-)

Anyway, glad to see there are browncoats from my generation. I was turned on to it by my son.

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 6:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by NewBrownCoat:

Anyway, glad to see there are browncoats from my generation.

Dude, I still have an ad torn out of a tournement program with Chuck Norris' autograph on it (he was such an understanding fellow, all us kids hopping around him and all..).

Lost my match that day, but it was on points, I HAD him!!!

Chrisisall, Okinawan Kempo at the time

NEWBROWNCOAT

Friday, March 31, 2006 7:32 PM

Yeah, Chuck Norris is about that time frame too ;-)

You see these guys in demos and on tv, etc, and you get one impression. But it is also very interesting to meet them in person. Most of them are just "plain folk", nice guys. Probably one of the things that make the Firefly crew so facinating to all of us.

Anyway, as I mentioned I first saw Bill Wallace in 1974, probably in his prime. Fastest left foot in the business. The guy threw this side-kick, roundhouse kick, hook kick combination where each kick flicked off the hair on the head of some guy helping the demo, and it was so fast you really couldn't see his foot at all, just the hair moving !

Anyway, I last met him when he gave a streching seminar at my kenpo school. This was in the early 90's. The guy always had an amazing flexibility and ability to throw a side kick vertically straight up. But after so many years of this, he was probably the most bow-legged guy I have ever seen. Legs seemed permanently stretched out so far they really didn't come back together ;-) But while he was still very confident and commanding in his classroom demeanor, he was also rather quiet and seemingly humble. Much more so that I expected. This was a small class of about 20-25 people and he was very fun and approachable. It was a great class.

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 7:39 PM

Hey, see em both here! heh heh
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6782126

I must have seen it 10 times in the theatre!

To the ground Chrisisall

RUXTON

Friday, March 31, 2006 8:40 PM

Chrisisall-san,
My style is 1911, which has been proven to be most effective over many years. As one gets older, his options for running and/or kicking are compromised. For beginners, I recommend a good revolver, .44 or larger.

Not to detract from this interesting thread, but it has been said that a 12-year-old girl with half an hour's training on a shotgun can overcome the best martial artists in the world.

In one of Chuck Norris' movies, he disarmed a bunch of cops as a demonstration, by kicking the guns out of their hands. But the cops had no idea how to hold a firearm, so it looked easy.

And in this week's episode of CSI/NY the good guys find a bullet that had dribbled blood after it passed through someone. They followed the bullet's blood trail. But bullets do not pick up any blood to speak of if they pass through someone. The truth is seldom shown on TV or in Hollwood, it seems.

What really impressed me was Bruce Lee handling a real cobra, which apparently also bit him off camera. Now, he wouldn't do that with a black mamba, betcha.

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 9:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ruxton:

What really impressed me was Bruce Lee handling a real cobra, which apparently also bit him off camera. Now, he wouldn't do that with a black mamba, betcha.

The cobra was de-venomed, but that bite still hurts!!
Hollywood goes for what looks good. I seen plenty of real fights-they look akward and miserable. Saw one suckerpunch landed once, only 'clean' fight I ever wittnessed.

My art is the art of not getting in a fight.

Violent Chrisisall

RUXTON

Friday, March 31, 2006 10:25 PM

Didn't think a cobra could be de-venomed.

Best way out of a fight: walk slowly over to your 600 HP F60 Ferrari, get in, and drive away swiftly.

Drive a long way away.

Keep on going.

CHRISISALL

Friday, March 31, 2006 10:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ruxton:
Didn't think a cobra could be de-venomed.

Well, it bit him, and he did another take. I read that it was de-venomed. Or maybe Lee was immune to it's bite?

Indy was a wuss Chrisisall

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Saturday, April 1, 2006 1:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Duelist:
I practice Yang Short Form (Cheng Man Ching lineage Tai Chi,) and have been studying and teaching rapier fencing for almost 20 years. Not really martial arts, more mayhem and fun, but I'm also pretty into full-contact LARPs and scenario airsoft/paintball.

I fence Epee and Sabre. Foil isn't really my thing, I prefer to have a more solid sword in my left hand. And LARPs and scenario Airsoft are awesome.

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

DUELIST

Saturday, April 1, 2006 1:33 PM

Of the Olympic styles, epee is my favorite, but given my drutheres I'll always pick up the rapier first. Epee evolved from eighteenth-century smallsword training, sabre from the light cavalry sword. The Victorians like Burton or Castle were talking about this style of fencing - although Burton was no slouch with a sidesword, either. Last of the breed.

Rapier comes from the sixteenth century and uses full-weight blades like those made by Del Tin Antioche, and allows the use of an off-hand weapon like a dagger. Original rapiers were often in the three lb range, which is heavy for any one-handed European-style sword. For some beautiful yet affordable examples, visit www.darkwoodarmory.com. Atherton Wing's sword was a sidesword blade mounted with a somewhat oversized swept rapier hilt with quillons. Rapier is a lot slower than foil or sabre, but it's also a much closer to how the originals were used. With rapier, you can read Saviolo or Capo Ferra and actually apply the techniques they described. A fencer has time to do some of the flashy stuff like drawcuts and mandritti without getting skewered. Whole lotta fun.

I'm 90% finished writing a rough-and-tumble, Firefly-inspired LARP rules set titled 'BIG SKY.' The system is real-skill-oriented (I hate card-based LARPs) and uses airsoft guns, fiberglass/foam/latex swords, and open-palm contact fighting. Anybody interested in seeing it?

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Saturday, April 1, 2006 4:10 PM

I'll have to check out this Rapier stuff. And yes, would definately like to see this LARP of yours.

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

KATHEL

Saturday, April 1, 2006 4:50 PM

I am a long-time fencer in Oregon. Left-handed foil mostly. I cringed thru the dueling scene in FF. Nathan might be a good actor but I truly believe he wasn't faking his newbiness re: swordin'.

HATESEDGE

Saturday, April 1, 2006 5:04 PM

Good to see so many active people here. Sci fi nuts arent known for their butt kicking skills. I am a licenced cage fighter with over 16 years of MA exp. Mostly freestyle ju jitsu and western boxing. Got an important match coming up in October and then (hopefully) a shot at a domestic title next year. Keep up the good work.

DUELIST

Saturday, April 1, 2006 6:05 PM

Now, that's funny. I'm a leftie, too. So far, every fencer here is left-handed.

Yeah, the fencing in Shindig was some of the worst I've ever seen on-screen, and that's sayin' something. The writer has admitted on-camera that she knew Zero about swordsmanship. Gotta give 'em credit for trying, though. I love the idea of a return of the duel of honor in an expanded frontier 'Verse....

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Saturday, April 1, 2006 6:19 PM

Though it was bad, by comparison, what else on tv has done it better? I mean, yeah, there are some really good ones in cinema, but I don't think there are on tv. Odd that us fencers are all left handed, or left hand dominant ((I'm ambidexterous)) by the by.

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

DUELIST

Sunday, April 2, 2006 1:01 AM

NO, I agree, Firefly deserves full marks for getting fencing onto network TV in any form. Actually, Inara's fencing lesson wasn't half bad. Mal probably would have been better off with the Chinese dao he was fooling with when she came in, though.

Beyond Shindig, the only American TV fencing I can think of was on A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel miniseries, and I think that was originally a British production. The BBC takes a stab at it (sorry) every now and again.

My favorite fencing sequence on celluloid is in the film "Rob Roy."

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Sunday, April 2, 2006 1:19 AM

But would Ath have allowed him the Dao? I mean, if any sword is available, why not go with a Claymore ((A fine Scott's weapon, and one of my favorites)) or a Katana? Or even an O-Dachi?! ((BIG Katana))

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

BELOWZERO

Sunday, April 2, 2006 2:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
To continue an old thread, long lost...
What Browncoat martial Arts people do we have here?
Like the man said to Lee: "Whatsh your schtyle?"

I studied Wing Chun, Okinawan Kempo, Aikido, Jeet Kune Do, Praying Mantis, and Tai Kwon Do.
My main style is Wing Chun, with a heavy Tai Chi influence (Summer appears to be doing some Combat Tai Chi in Serenity, along with some Wushu thrown in...).

So, styles? Real life fight stories? MA observations on Serenity, Angel, or Buffy?

Kwi-Changisall

Heh. More like Chun! (You DID read the Remo books....)

Shudukan karate, some aikido, tai chi, with a smattering of Mal Reynolds School of Fighting self defense.

I love it when you post Chrisisall cuz you are always interesting and sometimes downright hilarious!!!

"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas

Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.

CHRISISALL

Sunday, April 2, 2006 4:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BelowZero:

Heh. More like Chun!

Does a nightingail sing?

Korean Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Sunday, April 2, 2006 4:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Duelist:

My favorite fencing sequence on celluloid is in the film "Rob Roy."

Mine is The Zorro film with Basil Rathbone handling the choreography.
Also like Die Another Day for it's swordplay.

Ouch! Chrisisall

DUELIST

Monday, April 3, 2006 1:18 PM

By the Civil War era code duello, the challenged party chose the weapons. You're probably right, Wing probably wouldn't have let Mal use a dao - although Wing himself was wielding a sidesword, more of a cut-and-thrust than a rapier. Mal's weapon was solidly in the rapier camp.

Longswords, especially single-edged ones like katanas and up, demand a fair amount of practice before they can be used both swiftly AND effectively. It's all about precise and reflexive gauging of distance, the angle at which the edge can bite and the blade's point of percussion (sweet spot.)

I thought Mal might have done better with a dao because he's a close-in fighter, and it's way easier to hack with a short blade than to thrust or tip-cut with a long blade once you've closed.

DUELIST

Monday, April 3, 2006 9:59 PM

Been thinking about what I would try to teach someone like Mal about rapier fighting if I had, like, five minutes to teach. I think, rather than bother with the standard thrusting and parrying Inara demonstrates, and which Mal just ignores anyway, I'd show the good ol' boy how to half-sword. That's where your dominant hand grips the handle while your off-hand grips the blade about halfway up from the quillons - rapiers are usually only seriously sharp towards the tip, a good pair of deerskin gloves would prevent an accidental cut on the palm. Fiori de Liberi and Joachim Meyer both taught this technique extensively in the sixteenth century. It ain't pretty, but it works if you're aggressive enough to fully commit to the press attack. The sword is used a lot like a (nice & sharp) pool cue in a barfight, something Mal would appreciate. I'd tell him to wait for Wing to attack first so he can find Wing's blade, then step inside and press up with his hilt (thereby fouling Wing's blade and gaining leverage) while pivoting to bring his point down into Wing's face. If Ath sidesteps out to try and clear his blade, Mal reverses and drives the forward quillon into that meticulously coifed skull, or pommel strokes Wing's nose if Mal misses with the quillons. If Wing backpedals, Mal just keeps coming and steers him into a tree or log or something. After all, Mal wanted a brawl in the first place, so why should he fight the way Wing wants?

Basil Rathbone could handle a sword, as could Errol Flynn. Christopher Lee still can, he's a serious epee fencer. The only good thing about the Star Wars prequels is that Lee was allowed to use a lightsabre the only way a weightless, edgeless energy "blade" with no inertia could be used - as a thrusting and deflection-parrying weapon. Cool as they are, lightsabres would probably be totally useless as slashing and beat-parrying weapons because a slashing blade has to have enough fast-moving mass to carry it through whatever matter it's cleaving asunder. Even if you assume it vaporizes all in its path, a lightsabre's blade cross-section has to be at least half an inch out at the tip. Take a lovely, light 1/2" birch dowel rod to the beach and try to slash the end eight inches of it through the water hard and fast. You'll see what I mean.

Good Lord, did I really just write all this? OK, I'm a sword geek, I'm sorry.

PS - Back to Shindig, a thrown knife/sword/ broken blade/ax tumbles no matter how you throw one, they simply cannot be thrown like darts. Spears and arrows fly straight because they have those lovely long shafts to stabilize the heavy sharp tip. The thrown sword flying straight and true into the baddie's gizzard, I hate that particular old Hollywood standby more than any other.

Sorry again. I'll stop now....

BELOWZERO

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 2:12 AM

Hey, shouldn't that be
Chunisall?
Heh

"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas

Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 3:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BelowZero:
Hey, shouldn't that be
Chunisall?
Heh

The fool chatters, whilst the wise man listens.
I have listened.

Chunisall

BELOWZERO

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 3:04 AM

I hear, O Wise Master of Sinanju!
LOL

"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas

Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.

DOJO

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 3:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:
I've watched every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. A lot.

And I once beat my little brother at Tekken 2. I think I was playing as Yoshimitsu (sp?). He did this really cool sword thing.

Okay, I have ~no~ martial arts training. None. Whatsoever. The reason I posted is because I'd like to know what type of martial arts would suit a beginner, and what (if anything) I should try before I even think of starting a martial arts class - given that I'm not incredibly fit and have a complete and total lack of hand eye coordination.

I've heard of a self defense style derived from Martial Arts that I ~think~ was called Krav Maga, which is supposed to be very intuitive and good for beginners. Has anyone heard of it? Any advice? I'd really like to give something like this a go. It was one of my new year's resolutions this year :)

Simple stuff is fine. Not looking to become a kick boxing champ or break bricks with my hands or anything. Just looking for an interesting way to get fit, and get some defense skills too!

if your just looking to get fit some sort of cardio kickboxing class might be the best thing. if you're looking for something you can actually use to help yourself out in a fight i'd look at something like brazilian jiu jitsu. statistics somewhere show that most streetfights go to the ground and end up in a wrestling match. brazilian jiu jitsu is a grappling discipline and has been proven to be extremely effective when dealing with people that arent likewise trained in a grappling type art. the early UFCs showed traditional martial arts like taekwondo, karate, kung fu, and so on werent very effective in real world combat situations (which is not to say they're not fine beneficial disciplines). the key seemed to be that brazilian jiu jitsu emphasized training against active resistance. these days all professional fighters cross train a combination: brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing. krav maga is an israeli system that i think they teach to their special forces. i havent heard much about it. the arts i listed above have been proven.

DUELIST

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 2:06 PM

If you're looking for something free, find a local high school that needs volunteer wrestling or boxing coaching assistants. I've never understood why more people don't do this; plain old catch-as-catch-can wrestling is an extremely effective self-defense system, especially if you quietly study up on the competition-illegal locks and trips (illegal because they can do serious or fatal damage.) Combat effectiveness has more to do with the frequency with which you practice than the particular system you practice. During season, high school and college wrestlers practice 5-7 days a week. Fiori's system of teaching swordsmanship begins with comprehensive instruction in wrestling locks and throws - some of the scariest I've ever seen, BTW.

NATEM

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 2:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:

I've heard of a self defense style derived from Martial Arts that I ~think~ was called Krav Maga, which is supposed to be very intuitive and good for beginners. Has anyone heard of it? Any advice? I'd really like to give something like this a go. It was one of my new year's resolutions this year :)

I started Krav Maga at the beginning of the year and it is by far the best practical fighting system I have seen. I think the website would do a far better job explaining it then me.
http://www.kravmaga.com
I love it. It is a great workout but also actually teaches you how to fight and defend yourself. They have some videos on the website people should check out.
As for being good for beginners I will say it is very easy to learn. Instead of teaching techniques that will work only with a lot of practice their moves follow the natural instinct and just extend it into a great attack. It is meant to be simple so when you get in a fight and the adrenaline dump starts and you forget your name you can still fight back effectively.

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 3:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Duelist:
plain old catch-as-catch-can wrestling is an extremely effective self-defense system, especially if you quietly study up on the competition-illegal locks and trips (illegal because they can do serious or fatal damage.)

My stepson was on the H.S. Wrestling team, and he was good. We were sparring one day, when he saw an opportunity as I punched to parry it, push me so that my back was facing him for a split second, and drop down to scoop my legs from behind to slam me on my face to the ground (we played a little rough, but there was a carpet...). Thing is, as I was going down, I folded into a tuck and roll, and was on my feet in a blink. No thought went into is; I simply flowed with the force (HA! Unintentional Jedi reference!).

Attitude has a lot to do with combat. My attitude is; the 'Verse is made of circles.
And Jackie Chan is my man.

Oh, and Shinanju is the Sun

.

Chunisall

DUELIST

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 6:37 PM

Yep, sounds like you had a few years experience on him. He lost hold of you - the rule of thumb is to always attempt to control at least two of your opponent's limbs during takedown. How did you slip his takedown grip, do you remember? Did he put you in an armlock after he parried the strike? I'm just curious. I used to spar with a guy we nicknamed Rubberman because he could loop or worm out of any lock put on him, it was like wrestling a jellyfish. You wanted to just start wrapping him in duct tape. Only others I've met that could go as soft as him were Tai Chi players.

Speaking of circles, There's a fairly accomplished Akido guy in our rapier group who executes the most beautiful, flowing drawcuts I've ever seen. The Spanish style of fencing, La Destraza (sp?), was based on circular movements. I would LOVE to find someone to teach me a little about that system, but there's only one school in North America that seems to be barking up the right tree in rediscovering the style. Spanish style was one of two dominant European martial arts styles for almost three hundred years, before the European fighting arts were all neutered into "sport" by the Victorians in the nineteenth century.

AGATSU

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 7:55 PM

I'm practicing Aikido, hence my nickname.
"Agatsu" means "victory over oneself", and I took it from a quote by Aikido "inventor" O-sensei Morihei Ueshiba, "Masakatsu Agatsu" - "The greatest victory is the victory over oneself". I'm gonna get a tattoo with the Japanese kanji for "Agatsu" on the back of my neck as soon as a Japanese tattoo artist comes to a convention I can get to. It'll be my first and maybe last tattoo. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm picky about things that will be on my body for the rest of my life. Because of that, I want a Japanese tattoo artist to do it, preferrably in the traditional style, no machine. I'm funny like that. However, traditional (or other) Japanese tattoo artists don't grow on trees in Germany, so I'm gonna have to wait for a convention or my inevitable trip to Japan one day. But I'm patient when I can get exactly what I want that way.
Great, now I've been talking more about tattoos than martial arts.
Anyways, I like Aikido because it is strictly defensive (not a single attack move) and doesn't end with your opponent in a bloody pile, but a neat package instead. I also like the "can't we all just get along"-philosophy behind it.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, April 6, 2006 3:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Duelist:
How did you slip his takedown grip, do you remember? Did he put you in an armlock after he parried the strike? I'm just curious.

He kind of had a half-nelson on me for a second, then he got cocky with the idea that he could let go, drop and pull my legs out from under me like lightning (which he did), not knowing that I could USE his pulling to continue the motion into a foward roll; he expected gravity to be my enemy, and make me kiss the floor.

The ground is my friend Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Thursday, April 6, 2006 3:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Agatsu:
I like Aikido because it is strictly defensive (not a single attack move) and doesn't end with your opponent in a bloody pile, but a neat package instead. I also like the "can't we all just get along"-philosophy behind it.

That was my feeling when I studied it.

Chrisisall-O

DUELIST

Thursday, April 6, 2006 4:12 PM

You guys are WAY too much fun to talk to. I gotta go do work for a while, I'll check in later. Thanks for yackin'.

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:31 AM

Well Thought I would bring back thread + update you guys on the two latest duals/matches for Kendo that I had. 1st one was about 3-4 weeks ago. Went up against one of the Sensei. He goes into whats called Left Jodan, has the shinai bamboo blade at an angle above his head. Only he does it w/ 1 hand to mess w/ my mind. After a couple of pass w/ no points and I'm not seeing any target areas really open. I start to go for the throat area. In Kendo the throat area is a ligit target since there is protection, but you have to be careful otherwise you will injury your opponent. Anyways after a couple of rapid strikes, my sensei decides the position isn't fun anymore and goes back into a reg position.

2nd Match: This was last Friday we decide to go overtime in practice to practice what a real life Tournament match is like ie Taikai. So I'm going up against one other guy that is about my rank, slightly below. I get 1st pt wrist area I think, he gets 2nd pt head area, and I get the 3rd pt which was wrist or head area again. So I'm still in, next person I go up against is a lady that is about my skill level, so we are evenly matched eventually she misses and I get a late head strike (my reaction was a bit slow, but still counted as a valid pt) so ran out of time, but since I scored the only pt won by default there. 3rd match went up against the head Sensei's son, so no pts scored, even match. could read his attacks so blocked most of them, but couldn't get mine in either. Need to work more on cleaner hits!!! Other problem is the son is 12-13 maybe? So smaller then me and a bit harder to get at some of the targets beacuse of size difference. Bear in mind this was one match right after another w/ no break so probably talking 3-4mints,5mints,5mints maybe or what seemed like it. Well hope you guys all enjoyed it. I will post later w/ some other fun techniques you can do w/ the Katana/scabbard
mata, Ookami yori

Now ain't this a fun Shindig huh

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:59 AM

Even though Katana take some work to learn, Duelist, if you give someone who knows which end to hold on a "Swhat?" it should be both big enough and sharp enough to be nigh-fatal before they are in striking range. You ever heard of the "Zanbatou"? The O-Dachi is essentially that, a sword with which one kills the rider by cutting them in half by way of the horse.

Favorite Celluloid use of Swords - Either the Seven Samurai, the original ((Or at least Old)) Count of Monte Cristo, and of course, The Three Musketeers.

Anyone ever used a Claymore?

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:35 AM

Well thought I would resurface the thread for a bit here. As I posted earlier, with the Katana you can do alot of fun stuff w/ the scabbard. Some examples are slapping your opponents wrist before he is able to draw, using both blade and scabbard combo to thrust at an opponents face/ chest to stun him and then free the blade to deal with your opponent or opponents etc etc. Also as to your post about teaching Mal to handle a blade. If it was a katana, my opinion would be simple thrust, holding center (although this takes time to master and probably not enough time), kote strike ie wrist strike easiest and one of the most defensive strikes, and a couple of simple blocks. Well just a quick post here. Enjoy and have fun.
mata, Ookami yori

Slow, slow, slow, slow, and pressure = Iaido

DUELIST

Tuesday, April 18, 2006 12:45 PM

I've never studied the use of a katana, so I appreciate the insights. I've been told that most katana strikes are tip cuts done with the last six or so inches of blade, rather than the roughly mid-blade hacking cuts practiced by backsword swingers, or the smooth drawcuts used with scimitars. Is this true?

Though I'm not very skilled, I have played with european-style longswords - bastard swords and the early "Braveheart" style of claymore. Double-edged, counter-balanced swords like these have a very definite "sweet spot," a point of percussion about one-third of the length down the blade from the tip where the blow should land for maximum effectiveness when hacking - they will jar the bejesus out of your arm if you hack with any other part of their blade length. They are also effective tip cutters vs. soft targets with either edge, and a real joy to half-sword. The best I've ever seen with a longsword is a guy named Bob Charron who runs St. Martin's Academy in Madison, WI - I think the website is www.barbute.com. Bob is working on an eagerly-awaited translation of Fiori De Liberi's Flos Duellum.

I've heard that John Clements in Houston, TX is reallyreally good as well. Paladin Press publishes a couple of Clements titles on swordsmanship - his book "Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods and Techniques" is a good, reasonably priced introduction to the basic principles if european-style swordplay. I think he is still associated with ARMA at www.thearma.com.

Also look for Hans Talhoffer's "Medieval Combat" translated and edited by Mark Rector. Not as good as Fiori, but much easier to find, and a real eye-opener showing just how imaginative bladework was back in the day. I especially like the illustrations of the various forms of trial by combat.

Thanks again for the Japanese sword info, hope this helps in looking for claymore techniques. I know of no period-era primary source material from Scotland - the Highlanders weren't exactly famed for their erudition. You could try digging up some of George Silver's stuff, he was the last of the great English Masters of Defense and an expert backswordsman, or look at Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch if you have a library card at the Bodlian....

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Thursday, April 20, 2006 3:59 AM

Thanks Duelist
Your correct about the striking area on the Katana. It is called the Kissaki. It is the very tip of the blade. First half of the Kissaki is the strongest and then the next half is about half as strong in cutting power and the rest of the blade length is far weaker in cutting power. The other stance I would have recommend is whats called Jodan. If you have seen Kingdom of Heaven, it is almost the exact same stance that the father teaches his son and calls the Falcon/Hawk stance. There are two basic variations on this. Right foot and left foot version. The left foot version has more pressure bearing on the opponent since you are already half way into the strike. Easist way to counter this is to thrust for the throat/ upper portion of stomach. I will have to add in some links to videos and some book references. Thanks for the links will have to check them out. So will post some more information later.
mata, Ookami yori

I ain't disagreen, I only wanted another drink!!!
He who holds a blade is my brother.

AERIN

Thursday, April 20, 2006 4:42 AM

I missed this thread the last few times it surfaced. I have a 1st degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, although I haven't had time for it since I started grad school. I really miss it and plan to go back. It was fun and a really great way to keep in shape. Depending on the instructor, we also learned a few Aikido moves and some pressure point control tactics. I broke a pinky toe sparring and I broke my right hand the night before a major biochemistry exam (you should have seen the look on my prof's face, especially since I hadn't gotten a cast yet and the hand was swollen and greeny-purple). I tried sabre fencing for a few months (slashing looked more fun than poking), but I had a tendency to hit hard rather than fast. That, and I had a powerful urge to kick my fencing partner.

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Saturday, April 22, 2006 5:09 AM

Welcome to the board Aerin!!!
Sorry its taken a little bit to get back to you. This week has been pretty busy for me!!!! Oh I can believe the look. Just was hearing a story from my Kendo/Iaido Sensei, about one of the Sensei's he trained with in Japan. This Sensei had trained w/ Mori Sensei, a famous Sensei and they were going at it in a practice match. I'm not sure if he was wearing armour or not during this match, this guy use to practice w/ kids ie all way up to 20's with out armour. Anyways they are going at it and Mori Sensei goes for the throat area. This sensei couldn't speak for two weeks afterwords and hes like now thats hard training. Plus he had a nice big scar on his throat from it. So just amazing and gotta hurt. Yeah I'm at the point where I gotta focuse on no power in my strike and instead work on actual Technique cause I'm using too much power. Well take it easy and I will talk at ya later.
mata, Ookami yori

zanshin, zanshin, attack attack and attack
"Train Hard and Have Fun