16) Sources of equipment and material.
1) What Is A Martial Art?
A Martial Art can be defined as a system of techniques, physical and
mental exercises developed as an effective means for self-defense, both
unarmed and with the use of weapons. The origin of Martial Arts is a
controversial issue,and we can see signs of them in Greek, Egyptian,
African, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, as well as in a lot of other cultures.
2) What kind of Martial Arts are there?
Martial Arts can be generally divided in "soft" and "hard", "internal"
and "external".
By this division we mean that Arts that make use of circular motions,
channeling and diverting momentum to unbalance an opponent---like Tai
Chi, Aikido or Ninjutsu---are considered soft, while Arts that use
strikes, kicks, like Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, are considered hard;
"internal" and "external" is a more subjective concept, orthogonal to
"soft" and "hard", that is found in the Chinese styles.
3) 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 of the most popular Schools, with some Styles names where
applicable (the Arts are not listed in any particular order):
- Kobudo
- "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. 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.
KOBUDO WEAPONS The most common kobudo weapons (and
the ones most often taught by Okinawan karate
systems) are:
Less common weapons are:
- Jujutsu
- Some say that this is one of the first Arts to
appear. It is a very complete system, encompassing
throws, locks, kicks and punches.
- Karate
- One of the most popular MA's, Karate started in
Okinawa and was later brought to Japan by Gichin
Funakoshi Sensei. Today it is common to find
Traditional" "and "Competitive"
Karate---traditional being the formal Okinawan
styles,and competitive those styles directed mostly
to championships. Styles include Shorin Ryu,
Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Isshin Ryu, Shito Ryu, etc.
Karate is based on linear kicks and punches, being
a very effective self-defense system.
- Judo
- Regarded as a sport, Judo continues to attract
people looking for a healthy form to develop
themselves, and it is a good form of self-defense,
based on throws, leverage and control of the
opponent.
- Aikido
- A soft art that emphasizes neutralizing forceful
attacks by redirecting their force. The Aikido
stylist attempts to take control of the attacker's
momentum and redirect it into a throw or takedown.
- Tai Chi Chuan
- A combination of traditional Chinese external
styles with Taoist principles, Tai Chi has evolved
into many styles: Yang, Chen, Old Chen, Big Wu,
Little Wu, Sun and innumerable sub-styles, being
characterized by slow,graceful movements. Although
many people practice Tai Chi for its health or
spiritual benefits, with proper training it can be
an effective Martial Art.
- Kung Fu
- The generic name for hundreds of individual Chinese
fighting arts, soft and hard, internal and
external. Kung Fu include grappling, striking,
nerve-attack and many weapons training.
- Kendo
- A derivative of kenjutsu, wherein the practitioners
wear protective armor and use simulated swords
(split bamboo called a "shinai") to "spar" against
one another. Strike areas are limited as are
moves. Some kata are retained from kenjutsu
between individuals.
- Iaido
- the Japanese art of drawing the sword for combat.
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. Usually practiced in
solo kata (form), if has strong philosophical ties to
Kenjutsu.
- Kenjutsu
- The combative use of a sword. There is a large
amount of two-person work on this, mostly with
wooden swords. Sparring is a developed student
activity, and there is a strong side of
spiritual and philosophical study, similar in ways
to that of Aikido.
- Muay Thai
- Thai Boxing, involving boxing techniques, hard
kicking and knee and elbows strikes. Known for the
high level of physical conditioning developed by
its practitioners. It is regarded as the national
sport in Thailand.
- Kali
- A Filipino Martial Art, derived in large part from
stick and sword fighting, and also encompassing
other weapons, and empty hand self defense.
- Silat
- Pentjak Silat is the Indonesian set of Martial Arts,
all with different styles and schools. They all seem
to integrate weapons on their training, and mostly
are indigenous, although some styles integrated
Japanese and Chinese techniques and principles.
The generic name 'Silat' is used throughout much of
Southeast Asia, as in Malaysia (Bersilat), to mean the
local version of this Martial Art.
- Tae Kwon Do
- A Korean kicking and punching art, with emphasis on
the kicks. Many of the techniques are similar to
Shotokan Karate, which has a participation of
debatable size on the birth of this Art, since it
directly influenced one of the Kwans (styles) that
were indigenous to Korea and were amalgamated under
the name Tae Kwon Do. There is _usually_ a greater
emphasis on the sport aspect of the Art.
- American Kenpo
- American Kenpo, also called Kenpo Karate, is an
eclectic art developed by Hawaiian Ed Parker. The
art combines the Kenpo Karate 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.
- Kempo Karate
- The family style of Grandmaster James Mitose.
First taught to non-family members in Hawaii during
the 1940's and 1950's. Mitose called his family
style, Kyu-sho Ryu Kempo ("Old Pine Tree School
Fist Law"). One of Miltose's students, William
Chow, mixed in elements of his fathers Chinese
style to produce his own style, called Kara-Ho
Kenpo Karate.
- Capoeira
- A Brazilian Martial Art, Capoeira was born in the
"senzalas", the places where the slaves were kept.
It 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. It incorporates
the "maculele", done with blades, and the "maracatu", done
with sticks. Highly acrobatic, energetic and difficult to master.
- Ninjutsu
- A generally soft Japanese Martial Art,
incorporating armed and unarmed combat and based
upon efficient use of momentum and body mechanics.
The Ninjutsu martial artist strives to evade
attacks in such a way that he places himself in an
advantageous position from which a simple use of
leverage or movement of his body weight can take
down or control his opponent. It tries to incorporate
aspects of every possible situation and needed
knowledge of fighting, by means of different Arts
inside the Art, for example, subdivisions with
bladed weapons, ground fighting, infiltration,
cryptography. Beware of the many who say they teach
Ninjutsu but are in line for a fast buck teaching
Karate in a black uniform.
- Savate
- A French Martial Art, developed in the last
century, encompassing kicking techniques somewhat
similar to Tae Kwon Do or Karate, punching
techniques from Western Boxing and stick fighting
techniques based on French rapier fighting. Its
origin and relationships, if any, to other Martial
Arts, are unclear.
- Lua
- Hawaiian form of combat which resembles Ju Jitsu in
some of its moves. In the 1800s the royal Hawaiian
family decreed that the art would be restricted to
its members of the royal Hawaiian family. (In fact,
it is still illegal to practice the art in the
state of Hawaii.) Since the 1980s, the veil of
secrecy to non-Hawaiians has started to lift with
the open teaching of the art in Southern California
by Alohe Kolomona Kaihewalu. The primary emphasis
of the art is joint dislocation.
- Kajukenbo
- Eclectic martial art invented in Hawaii. It is a
blend of Karate, Judo, Kenpo, and Boxing, from
which arts it takes its name.
- Hap Ki Do
- The Korean art combining 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. It is commonly confused with Aikido,
since the Korean and Japanese translation of
the names is the same.
4) Which Martial Art should I study?
That's a question that only you can answer, maybe with a little help of
your physician. While some people advocate that "my style fits any
individual", it is very debatable if someone would adapt to *any*
style. Also, it depends *HEAVILY* on your objectives---what are you
looking for?
Advice of many experienced Martial Artists here on NetLand coincide in
the point of "go, read, look around, ask---then decide".
Many people change from one style to the other. While this is a common
practice, accepted in the means of development, it is known that the first
style is normally the one that leaves the base, the more profound
"marks". Try to choose a style that suits your needs and at the same
time offers you a kind of "challenge" to go on learning.
5) This guy says that his style will make a Full Certified Warrior & Killer
out of me in 3 months---is it serious?
While many people enter the Way of the Martial Arts trying to be the
deadliest persons in the world, it is not true that the final objective
of the Arts is this. Many Masters already said that the best battle
someone can win is that one that he doesn't fight. So, don't expect any
miracle to come down on you, any light to come thru your window in the
night and make you the most skilled fighter---it will all depends on your
dedication, in your objectives and in the amount of training you
get.
5.1) What do I do to become the deadliest person in the world ?
You can't. While a Martial Artist does learn combat skills, the final
objective of a Martial Art is not to become the deadliest person
alive.
The Martial Arts recognize that there will always be someone who is
bigger, stronger, faster, has a bigger knife, a more powerful gun, a
longer range missile, and so on. The objective, then, is to become the
best that you can be, regardless of how good anyone else is.
6) How do I choose a School?
This can be answered maybe in the same terms as question 4.
The environment where you'll learn and train, the people that will be
your partners, all this plays a very important part on the process, aside
from the instructor himself---you'll need some basic trust in the
individual, as a beginning.
Don't get impressed by the size of the place---just be sure that you feel
ok in there. Go, watch some classes (without participating), then ask to
participate---see if the behavior of the students changes by the fact
that there is a new person in their class. Check the approach the higher
ranked students take on you---their help will be most important in your
advancement in the Art you choose.
A quick and dirty check list, for you to complete with your own points,
is:
How good are the students?
Is there a mix of upper and lower ranks?
Do they move the way you would like to?
Is the atmosphere in the school relaxed and friendly, but serious?
Are there students of both sexes?
Does the school differentiate between tournament and self-defense?
Does the school differentiate between forms and function?
Are allowances made for students with physical limitations?
Do the students get personalized attention?
Do they help one another?
Do the senior students seem fit and relaxed?
...
7) Should children study Martial Arts?
In a very general answer, yes. Of the many people that contributed in
the making of this FAQ, a lot of them demonstrated their support to the
idea of children studying MA: some listed the effect on their behavior
(control of aggressiveness, energy, etc.) and some even touched the
self-defense issue. In fact, for a child the Martial Arts can provide a
mean to deal with self-assurance in an early stage and an approach to
respect and discipline.
The style that a child should take is a totally different question, and
is directly influenced by the style, if any, of the parents. It will of
course be very interesting if the child can practice together, or at least
in the same school as the parents.
The teaching of Martial Arts to children, considering now very young
children, is normally in a way of "playing" Martial Arts, that sometimes
can make things confusing for parents that don't
participate/know/understand this side of the teaching: children often
learn without being aware that they are learning.
8) A small bibliography, to be completed:
In general, books from the Kodansha Editors carry a reputation of being
serious and at the same time direct and objective.
This list will grow with time.
Ohara Publications, Inc.
24715 Avenue Rockefeller
P.O. Box 918
Santa Clarita, CA 91380-9018
Unique Books
4201 Vanowen Place
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 845-2656
FAX (818) 845-7761
9) I believe/don't believe in X. Should I train Y?
In here goes a lot of discussion, possibly not in the scope of this
newsgroup. One can try to say "my Art is better/more complete/whatever
nonsense than yours", and he can EVEN base himself on experience and/or
prejudice. But normally it is considered non-ethical from a
Sensei/Sifu/Master/Teacher to try to *impose* his own views into his
students. Now, some Arts require a background, or even a mind-set
oriented to a certain aspect of its origins. So, if you see yourself
contemplating the possibility of studying one of these Arts, be sure to
enter one that won't go against any of your basic beliefs unless you
are ready to change or modify them---of course your ability to absorb the
right teachings will be conditioned to the way you approach your
study.
10) Other sources of Martial Arts related electronic information.
This FAQ, together with Brad Appleton's great work, the Stretching FAQ,
as well as contributions by Mic Venning (the Bruce Lee FAQ) are available
on cs.huji.ac.il (132.65.16.10) on /pub/doc/faq/rec/martial.arts.
Another discussion forum, this time a bit more specialized, is the
Traditional Karate Mailing List, maintained by Howard S. High, of which
we include the Charter:
Charter for the Traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate Group
List Name: KARATE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for individuals who
practice one or more of the traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate
styles to share information and discuss issues.
This is the first "CYBER-Dojo" as a training supplement to Karate.
The list is un-moderated, with restricted membership.
MEMBERS:
Application for membership is open to any individual who practices
traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate (teachers and students).
An exception to this rule will be for those individuals who follow the
traditional values but does not belong to a traditional school due
to reasons beyond the individual's control. Another exception is for
individuals who have not yet selected a martial art to follow. This
list can help such individuals choose their path.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
A prospective member will send a subscription command to the LISTSERV
Host: LISTSERV@UKANAIX.CC.UKANS.EDU
command: subscribe karate
The Host will forward an automatic reply which includes the questionnaire
and the Principles of Conduct. After completing the application, the
prospective member will forward the application to:
godzilla@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
use Subject: PLEDGE
The questionnaire will be reviewed by the list owner. After review, the list
owner will either request more information from the applicant, send a
Welcome Letter to the new member, or advise the applicant why the
membership was not approved.
POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:
- Bunkai
- Oyo
- comparisons of Kata from various styles
- "Hidden moves" in Kata
- Lineage of teachers
- History of Karate
- Terminology
- Organizational structure
- Traditional tournaments
- Kumite techniques
- Seminars
- Biographies of teachers
- Book reviews
- Rank systems
- Etiquette
- Philosophy
- Ceremonies
- Teaching methods
There is also the Aikido FTP site: 132.239.51.3, and the Aikido Mailing
List:
>From GMS@psuvm.psu.edu Sat Apr 17 00:39:49 1993
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1993 14:42:08 EDT
From: Gerry Santoro - CAC/PSU
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Announcing new LISTSERV group AIKIDO-L
Because of popular demand I have established a LISTSERV conference
for people wanting to talk about Aikido. The name of this group is
AIKIDO-L@PSUVM (for bitnet users)
AIKIDO-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU (for Internet users)
The purpose of this group is open, public discussion of Aikido. Sharing,
understanding and and mutual respect are encouraged. Flaming and
arguments (such as 'my style is better than your style') are discouraged.
To join the list, send an interactive message (if you are on bitnet) or
email (if you are on Internet) to either:
LISTSERV@PSUVM (bitnet)
LISTSERV@PSUVM.PSU.EDU (Internet)
with the message:
SUBSCRIBE AIKIDO-L 'your full name'
Then you will start getting email from the list. To participate in the
list once subscribed you simply send email to AIKIDO-L@PSUVM or
AIKIDO-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU.
For example, I subscribed with the following command:
SUBSCRIBE AIKIDO-L Gerry Santoro
Although I am list owner I intend for this to be an unmoderated list.
I am providing this as a public service and to spread word about
Aikido. Please don't expect me to referee discussions. (:-)
bow
Gerry Santoro
Academic Computing/Speech Communication
Penn State University
Aikido Kokikai Penn State
11) I opened my "Weenie-Tweenie Super Hyper Academy---The Nest of The
Fighter Eagles (tm) (c)" and I want to post it for the world to see.
Should I?
Again, this answer depends a lot on how you see the ethics present in the
Net, the relations between your ego and your pocket, and the way you do
it.
According to the charter of the Usenet, this place shouldn't be used to
advertisements with the intent of making money. Second, it is not always
interesting for the reader in Iceland to discover that a Kicking-Butt-Do
Academy opened on Kuala Lumpur. Either limit your distribution, or post
in the newspaper it will be more guaranteed that you find your
public.
12) What is Greenoch?
Sorry, but this is not the place to disclose such a secret. Last time I
said something about it I had to endure four hours of continuous Malayan
chanting by an Hindu that thought he was reading TCP/IP packets for a whole
Navajo congregation, in Cyrillic characters, while two genuine American
Ninja Warriors (TM) kept murmuring Pink Floyd in reverse trying to put
the subliminal message of Greenoch secrecy back into my brain cells. And
on going out I was attacked by the Soke of MeikDo, that promptly pulled
a Cross gold pen and using terrible Wall-Street-wannabe techniques made
me sign a check for 2.000.000 rupees, for damage inflicted to the Greenoch
Brotherhood. And all this while a bunch of Real Martial Artists (C) tried
and tried to make puns out of every line in the script. I was saved by
a Grandmaster of 21 Styles, himself the head of the Greenoch Grand League,
when he interrupted his 3 minute cross-training and credential
gathering.
Now, the truth, simple and clear, is: Greenoch, as you may well know by now,
doesn't exist. It is meant as a joke over the "my School is better than
your School", "my Sensei/Sifu/Master is better than yours" syndrome that
sometimes comes up in this group. Besides, it is great fun.
13) Sources of information (addresses, etc.)
The Aikido Dojo Directory, ftp'able from cs.ucsd.edu
132.239.51.3.
--
Soke John J. Williams
Box 2335
Station A
Moncton, NB
E1A8J3
Canada (506) 382-6349
Soke Williams is affiliated with the International Martial Arts
(League IMAL) and is head(?) of the Canadian Ninja Society. They
maintain a large catalog of martial arts schools in North
America. Write or call. Simply state that you were referred to
him as such a source and are in need of MA schools/instructors in
whatever part of the country you are interested in.
14) What is ki/qi/chi?
There are no absolute right answers to this question. Instead of giving the
one true answer to this, below are several different opinions.
Ki doesn't exist. Everything the ki model tries to explain can be
explained with body mechanics, biophysics, and psychology. There is no need
to postulate some mysterious force. Science can explain it.
Ki exists absolutely. Ki can be used to increase your strength, throw
people around, etc. Subjective experience shows that ki is real.
Ki may or may not "really" exist. It is a useful model. The ki model
allows you to visualize how to increase your strength, throw people around,
etc.--it doesn't matter if it exists or not. If someone invents a better
model (i.e. one that is easier to visualize), then maybe we'll switch to it.
15) Glossary
This is a brief glossary to give people some idea of what we are talking
about. These are not complete definitions--the words may have other
connotations and denotations than what are listed, but this is a
beginning.
English:
sparring -- training with another person using actual blows
Japanese:
atemi -- a punch
do -- way
dojo -- training hall
gi -- uniform worn when training
kata -- prearranged series of movements
ki -- energy, living power, spirit
kumite -- sparring
jutsu -- art
randori -- free taking, multiple attackers, form practice one-on-one
sensei -- teacher
Korean:
dobak -- uniform worn when training
dojang -- training hall
poomse -- prearranged series of movements
chigi -- a punch
chagi -- a kick
do -- way
kyorugi -- sparring
sabumnim -- master instructor
Chinese:
chi -- energy, living power, spirit (same as qi)
sifu -- teacher
qi -- energy, living power, spirit (same as chi)
16) Sources for material & equipment
(Please send in info for places outside Continental USA --- this is a
very international group.)
World Martial Arts Supply
6052 N. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 265-8943
California S and P Inc.
10545-B San Pablo Ave.; El Cerrito, CA 94530; USA
415.527.6032
Century Martial Art Supply, Inc.
1705 National Blvd.; Midwest City, OK 73110; USA
800.626.2787
Defense Arts, Inc.
P.O. Box 1028; Smyrna, GA 30081; USA
404.434.0370
East West Markets Exchange, Inc.
5533 North Broadway; Chicago, IL 60640; USA
312.878.7711
Honda Martial Arts Supply Co.
61 West 23rd St.; New York, NY 10010; USA
800.USA.NYNY or 212.620.4050
Kim Pacific Martial Arts Supplies
1451 Doolittle Dr.; San Leandro, CA 94577; USA
800.227.0500
Kiyota Company
2326 North Charles St.; Baltimore, MD 21219; USA
301.360.8275
Martial Arts Supplies Co., Inc.
10711 Venice Blvd.; Los Angles, CA 90034-6294; USA
213.870.9866
Musashi Martial Arts
1842 S. Grand Ave.; Santa Ana, CA 92705; USA
714.557.4274
PAIS Enterprises
P.O. Box 518, Miliken Post Office; Milliken, Ontario, LOH 1K0, CANADA
416.299.8168
S & P of New York Budo, Inc.
P.O. Box 2; Depew, NY 14043; USA
716.681.7911
Saghafi Enterprises
1604 Niagara Falls Blvd.; Tonawanda, NY 14150; USA
716.832.3322
Top Brands
Box 51331; New Orleans, LA 70151; USA
504.522.4540
I & I Sports
1524 W. 178th Street
Gardena, CA 90248-3204
Paladin Press
P.O. Box 1307-3ZK
Boulder, CO 80306
The people that made this list possible:
Al Bowers - bowers@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Iaido,Kenjutsu,Kendo)
Andrew Vida - osan@cbnewsb.cb.att.com
Dakin Burdick - burdick@copper.ucs.indiana.edu (Tae Kwon Do)
David C Carr - dccarr@ihlpf.att.com
Douglas Cohen - doug@eng.umd.edu
Gabriel Acevedo - acevedo@athena.mit.edu (FAQ formatting)
Greg Whitlock - greg@athena.cs.uga.edu
Howard S. High - GODZILLA@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (Traditional Karate)
James E. Ward - jew@rs6000.sunquest.com
Jack Lund - zippy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (HTML formatting)
John Simutis - simutis@ingres.com (Kobudo)
Joseph Toman - toman@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Lauren Radner - radner@bushido.cray.com
Lee Fisher - leefi@microsoft.uucp
Mic Vening - vening@chdasic.sps.mot.com (Bruce Lee FAQ/Revision)
Michael Robinson - robinson@cogsci.berkeley.edu (Tai Chi Chuan)
Mikel Evins - mikel@apple.com
Peter Hahn - hahn@anubis.network.com
Richard Parry - parry_r@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (Kyokushinkai Karate)
Scott Machaffie - sm@cs.pdx.edu
Stephen Northcutt - snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil
Stephen Kurtzman - kurtzman@pollux.usc.edu
Steve Gombosi - sog@craycos.com (Kobudo)
Steven List - itkin@mrspoc.transact.com
Todd Ellner - todd@reed.edu (Silat)
Izar Tarandach - izar@cs.huji.ac.il (Karate/Ninjutsu/Capoeira)
(...) and many other names that I possibly left out---if you have any
additional questions on the listed styles, please contact. Questions were
made to be answered...