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History
of Martial Arts
African / Korean / Chinese / Japanese / Philippines / Other Type
African
Martial Arts
Yoruba Wrestling
The Yoruba people
are to be found in modern day Nigeria. As part of their rites of passage into manhood,
Yoruba men are required to perform: wrestling, horse riding, swimming and
hunting. Throughout the year, men practice wrestling in villages up and down
the country. (The rules and style resemble Nuba
wrestling, see below). Then at special festivals known as Ijakadi,
the men come together to show their prowess. Men who
are successful in competitions or duels, receive a great deal of kudos and
prestige. In ancient times, these competitions would confirm a man’s
future status, as a chief or a warrior, but now the prestige is more
ceremonial.
In other parts
of West Africa, there are arts like Laamb
in Senegal (click on www.earth2000.com/ho/wrest.html).
There are two types of Laamb. In the first,
opponents are allowed to strike with bare hands but in the latter, no
striking is allowed. A win is secured, when the adversary pins his opponent ‘s back onto the floor (Like Judo or Greco
Roman wrestling.)
Nuba/Nubian wrestling
The Nuba are to be found
in present day Sudan. Without a doubt, the Nuba are the people
closest in tradition and appearance, to the Ancient Nubians of antiquity. As
can be seen from the pictures below, Nuba wrestling
is almost identical to those of ancient Nubians. (See the images on the tombs
and monuments dating from the 12th Dynasty of Ancient Kemet/Egypt). In antiquity, the Nubians were known as the
greatest fighters in the world and this reputation lasted until the time of
the Ancient Greeks (see Herodotus). This means that Nuba
wrestling is the oldest unbroken system of martial arts. In the Nuba Mountains and throughout the present day Sudan, Nuba practise with weapons and also use an empty hand
technique similar to Aikido.
Nuba
Wrestling is the original martial art that all of Africa, Asia, and Europe later came
to benefit from".
Nuba
wrestling is still practiced today in the South of Sudan as parts of Rites of
Passage.
Capoeira Angola
Capoeira Angola has its roots in the Bantu tradition and was used
by the enslaved Africans of Brazil as a form of training for war. In keeping
with African war strategies, Capoeiristas masked
the art's effectiveness from plantation overseers. Then and today, to
uninformed onlookers, the art appears to be a harmless acrobatic dance to
music.
Authorities
eventually learned of its power during conflict with Africans in Bahia and other Quilombos.
They outlawed the practice, with death being the penalty for involvement. Capoeira was so troublesome, that penal colonies were
later constructed for the imprisonment of capoeiristas.
For years Capoeira was practiced in secrecy and was
not lawful to teach or learn until after the 1930s.
Other African
Martial Arts thanks to Hu Ren Qianzai Long
African
Diaspora
Akeru
is a program opened as a workshop to teach African. It is based on
Afro-Brazilian Dance, martial arts, culture, discipline, and philosophy.
Kamau Njia
Kamau Njia, which means
“Way of the Silent Warrior” in Swahili, is based on instinctive
movement, practical concepts, and sound principles. This is coupled with the
ability to develop skills from an individual’s natural defensive and
offensive movements. These skills are thoroughly enhanced through "real
time" training scenarios against grabs, strikes, weapons, and ground
attacks. Through these training scenarios, students are better prepared to
function during the pressure and distress of violent attacks. Derived from a
variety of martial arts styles.
Kiungo Cha Mkono
(a.k.a. "Shackle Hands" and "The Shackle Hand Style") is
an art developed by Master Nganga Mfundishi Tolo-Naa from
traditional African arts. The hands are linked together based on the concept
that two hands are better than one. It is also symbolic of Africans in
slavery. It takes traditional blocks and strikes and combines into one
action. This defence can be practical in
application, but it is more flashy than anything.
There are three levels, 1) hands joined at the wrist, 2) hands are separated,
and 3) hands are crossed as the Egyptians are often depicted. The last being
the highest level and symbolizes spiritual cultivation.
Kupigana Ngumi
Known as the "Essence
of African Martial Arts," Kupigana Ngumi is a comprehensive term that is inclusive of all Afrikan Martial Arts systems. Recognized for its rhythmic
dance like movements, Kupigana Ngumi
was founded in the 60's by Shaha Mfundishi Massi and Nganga Mfundishi Taloo-Naa. Kupigana Ngumi Is a complete system designed around four areas of
training, namely: Cultural, Emotional, Mental and Fitness.
Mshindi Vita Saana-
“Mshindi
Vita Saana" is Kiswahili for "Champion
War Art" or Victor('s) War Art. Mshindi Vita Saana is a system
of self defence developed for and by people of
African descent (African Americans.) Using an African frame of reference, Mshindi Vita Saana approaches
self defence using rhythm, strategy, coordination
and agility to highlight traditional and contemporary movements. At its core,
Mshindi Vita Saana
reflects the graceful elaborate polyrhythms found
in African dance and music.
African Martial Arts- These arts are native to Africa
Jailhouse Rock (USA)
It is in the hostile racist environment of the United States Prison system
that African martial arts systems that had survived slavery evolved into the
gloriously mutated manifestation known as “Jailhouse Rock”.
Having been brought into the penal system via ex-slaves, various styles
emerged within different prisons. Since the African language had long been
forbidden and forgotten, new regional names were developed to reference the
art. Some of them are Jail-House-Rock, Closing Gates, 52, 42, Strato, PK, Mount Meg,
Comstock, Gorilla, Barnyard etc. Due to the
contemporary politics of the United States and the profitable running of prisons by private
corporations this lethal art continues to thrive as a functional necessity of
modern African Americans.
Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa
Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa is a deadly
fighting art that can be used as an educational system, a competitive sport,
and a form of self-enlightenment. Although Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa attempts to remain consistent with the fighting
systems of ancient African warriors, it does not emphasize the traditional
methods of guerrilla warfare (Ambush, Assassination, and stealth). Instead
emphasis is placed on internal development, meditation, breath
control, and healing which includes medical gymnastic (self-defence techniques).
Mani
Mani, a fighting-dance martial art, grew in 19th
century among slaves of sugar plantations in Cuba. Only the men take part in it. The dancer in the
circle does movements simulating fight, and chooses a protagonist among the
others men of the circle. Then the elected "adversary" comes in the
circle, and, in harmony with the other dancer, executes a choreographed
routine of movements, between fight and dance.
Koko Makaku
The walking stick, Koko Makuku,
was in fashion in Curaçao in the early 20th
century. In addition to being used as a walking stick, the "koko makaku" was also used
as a defensive weapon and for cultural and sports activities. Among these
were stick-dancing, stick-fighting and the tambú
game 'blood for the drum', thus reports René Rosalia
in his contribution to the 'third seminar on Latin-American and Caribbean
folklore', which took place in Curaçao in 1990.
Stick-fighting, performed during tambú feasts, is
also mentioned by father Paul Brenneker in his
series "Sambubu".
As in the old times practically every man went out with a stick, the
development of the game of sticks was obvious, according to Brenneker. "The game of sticks was not bound to
seasons or festivities and in former days it used to be played on Sundays, at
approximately 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. It was a game of skills. Each of two men held his stick at the
ends, approached the other and danced and jumped around to the rhythm of the
singing and clapping of hands of the spectators. A drummer would beat time.
The men were supposed to defend their own head with their stick and
simultaneously make efforts to strike the opponent with it on his head. They
manipulated the sticks masterfully. If one of them saw an opportunity to deal
a blow to the other on his head, he would be the winner. If the loser bled
from his head wound, the bystanders would shout: "sanger
pa tambú" (blood for the drum). The loser had
to let some blood flow on the skin of the drum." This was made from a
wine or rum barrel.
Bénolè
(or Bénolin) a stick fighting art of Guadeloupe.
Mayolet
(or Mayolé) Mayolet is a
stick fighting martial art from Guadoloupe. It was
developed from Danmyé.
Sové Vayan
(or Sovayan) a stick fighting art that was created
developed in Guadeloupe
Pinge
A Haitian martial art developed by the African slaves residing there.
Developed for the same reasons as Machet’e
and Capoeira
Bangaran
A martial art developed by the maroons of Jamaica. Bangaran is taught from
generation to generation.
Machet’e
A Jamaican martial art developed by African Slaves out of a burning desire
for freedom.
Danmyé (a.k.a. "Ladja")
Is the first martial art
to ever be practiced in Martinique. Some slaves from Senegal and elsewhere, that were
on their way to the island of Gorée, created a
fighting art inspired by the initiation ceremony of "N’golo",
which symbolized the passing from adolescence to adulthood and included a
confrontation which took the form of a fight. Fights were practiced in
festivals, village fairs, and appointed fights until 1947, when the
authorities banned Danmyé. There are many places to
practice: in pits, in front of a bank, during carnivals, and bèlè events The wrestler has to get the upper hand of his
opponent while respecting the drummer's pace. A fighter can win by referee's
ruling after a decision blow, one fighter being hit more than the other
(amount of points in a 2-minute fight), lifting your opponent off the ground,
or being immobilized on the ground (Kakan). It
combines strikes with wrestling and grappling skills. The wrestlers determine
the fighting space by dancing around in a ring to the rhythm of the drum,
known as the introductory stage of the fight. The wrestler then draws an
invisible circle which represents a magic space and any person entering the
circle is an opponent. However, all strikes must be restrained and given
without intending to hit. They can only be given to drive the opponent to
refuse a hand-to-hand fight. The wrestler has to hit and move in harmony with
the rhythm or the guilty party would be disqualified. The main goal is to score
more points than the opponent does and hit without being hit.
Kalenda
(or Kalinda) It is believed that kalinda began around 1860 when the freed slaves organized
themselves into competing bands and held performances. Men, women and
children gathered to sing, dance and be entertained by stick fights. The aim
of each stick fighter was to deliver a blow that would hit the opponent on
the body - any part above the waist - hard enough to fell him to the ground.
Blows were usually aimed at the head and damage to the skull was a very
common occurrence in stick fighting. The rules of the game were few. Hitting
“under the belt” or striking a player when he fell or was forced
to kneel was an infringement. Again, as long as a player's skull was cut he had
to retire and drain the blood into the "blood hole", a hollow made
for this purpose in the ground in the centre of the fighting ring. The stick
used was between three and four feet long and was about seven-eighths of an
inch in diameter. It was made of cog-wood, the wood of the yellow poui tree or even the sour guava.
Trinidad Stick Fighting
(a.k.a. 'Bois' or 'Sticklick') is an art from Curacao. It was confined to two communities, Mt. Desire and La Resource. A conch shell is blown to call
the drummers and the batonniers to the ring. There
are many stances, the main is to hold the stick with 2 hands in front of your
face for defence and let swing down to which ever
way you need. The object is to strike your opponent while moving away
artistically to make them look foolish. It is a serious full contact art that
can open gashes on the head and chest. Music is very important in most
African arts and this is no exception. When the contestants get in the ring,
different songs are played on the drums to help the contestants along.
Bate Coxa
Used by Africans of bigger stature, the object of Bate Coxe
was to knock the opponent down using collisions of the thigh. Bets, of money
or even women, were made. A predecessor of Capoeira.
Batuque
(a.k.a. Capoeira Batuque)
Batuque is supposedly much like Capoeira
(and one of it's many predecessors), but much more dance-influenced. Much
emphasis on kicking.
Luta do Bode
A headbutting martial art used by the Africans in Brazil. The goal is to knock the opponents head till the
death. For this reason, the art is little used today. A predecessor of Capoeira.
Susa
Susa is an art very similar (and may be a style of) Capoeira that is practiced by the Saramaccan
and Ndyuka diasporic
people of Suriname.
Broma
An Afro-Venezuelan martial art.
Northern Africa
Aha
(a.k.a. Kemetic
Aha, Ahah, Kemet Mariama) Aha is a tricky form of boxing and grappling
practiced by the Kemites. According to some
sources, it was practiced exclusively by Kemetic
priests.
Hikuta
An ancient Egyptian boxing art still used today. The basis for Hikuta is claimed to be the ancient art of Kuta. Today Hikuta is used for
very modern reasons, mostly the defeat of criminals.
Naboot
Supposedly almost the same as Tahteeb, except that
the fighters use longer staffs. *NOTE: Other sources say Naboot
isn’t a martial art, but the name of the staff used in Tahteeb.
Sebekkah
A native grappling art of Egypt. According to one of our Martial Talk posters, Sebekkah requires much waist power in its movements.
Tahteeb
Tahteeb is played mostly in the Northern regions of
Egypt by tough men young and old who enjoy the challenge
of a good fight, also it is a great way to show
machismo and rack up potential brides. Like Surma
stick fighting of southern Sudan, Tahteeb is played only
by men and can get very bloody when two opponents do not particularly like
one another. When Tahteeb is played nicely one man
will attack and the other will only defend and then vice versa, but when men
do not like each other and they play together suddenly the rules change and
the real rules are announced: there are no rules. Due to the full contact
aspect of Tahteeb, parrying and blocking are
essentials to survival when playing the game, striking is the norm and joint
locking is almost unheard off.
Ta-Merrian
An Egyptian martial art that is based on totem animal movements and spirit
dances.
El Matreg
A North African martial art most commonly practiced as entertainment in Algeria. In this, two players fight using long sticks
– the idea is to score points by outwitting and out-manoeuvring
your opponent.
Nuba Stick Fighting
Rarely practiced today, traditional Nuba Stick
fights are most commonly practiced among the Moro tribe. The stick-fighting
is a contest conducted by, as the name indicates, a stick and a shield between
two contestants, This sport is always carried out at the end of autumn and
the beginning of harvest, and it is completely forbidden during the
cultivation season, in case it puts the youths off their work. Stick fighting
is part of the ceremonies that follow the harvest, in which thanks is given
to God for providing a good harvest. It is embedded in the spiritual
traditions of the people.
Toubata
A native wrestling art of Sudan.
Eastern
Africa
Massaï
The fighting techniques and
disciplines of the Masai people of Kenya.
Testa
Testa, or Riesy, is a
brutal Eritrean head butting art. It may also include kicks, hand strikes,
parries, grabs, etc. Hand, foot, and grabbing techniques are very intricate
and are solely used in order to strike the opponent with the “Big
Knuckle”, or head. A Testaman may even bite
the opponent’s windpipe or groin out of pure desperation.
Dula Meketa
The stick fighting art of the Oromo people of Ethiopia.
Re-Efi-Areh-Ehsee
An Ethiopian martial art that is used as a way to convey cultural identity
through a fighting system.
Surma
or Donga Stick Fighting, is a test of nerves and
brute strength. The Donga of Ethiopia fought to prove masculinity, settle
personal vendettas, and most importantly, to win wives. The 50 or more men
who participate in each tournament represent different villages. The
contestants fight in heats, with the winners going on to the next round until
the competition narrows to two finalists. The winner of the last bout wins
the entire contest
Kayti
Arguably the first of all weapon-based martial arts, Kayti
represents the origins of all weaponry. Though centred
in Africa (primarily Kenya), the roots come from all over Africa. Kayti is the predecessor to modern
swordplay (from China) and the better known Islamic Kali (from Philippines).
Southern Africa
Bassula
This Angolan art's sole purpose is to immobilize the opponent. However,
because of the high risk of injury, the modern objective is to only knock
them down. A predecessor of Capoeira.
Gabetula
An Angolan art that supposedly involved punching that later contributed
to the art of Capoeira.
Kamangula
An Angolan martial art and predecessor of Capoeira,
this art is much like modern Slap Boxing, it consists of bashing your
opponent open-handed.
N'gola
(or N’golo) An Angolan ritual martial art
(used by the Bantu and Mucupis peoples) in which
two males would fight in order to win a bride presented by the parents of the
girl. The fight uses both hands and feet all to knock the opponent down. The
winner would prove his bravery in order to receive his wife. A predecessor of
Capoeira.
Njinga
An Angolan art that later contributed to the art of Capoeira.
Morengy
The traditional boxing martial art of Madagascar.
Isinaphakade Samathongo
an ancestral esoteric warrior system practiced by the Zulu and Xhosa tribes
of South
Africa. The system emphasizes strong combative techniques and ethical
philosophy. It is used as an initiation into the “warrior-priest
caste” of the two tribes.
Musangwa
A martial art of South Africa. It consists of punching, headbutting,
earslaps, and knees.
Nguni Stick Fighting
Stick-fighting in Nguni-speaking areas of South
Africa has an educational role, it teaches young members of society social
values, gender roles, the worthy nature and respectability of physical endeavours. Zulu and Xhosa boys begin learning at an
early age the utilitarian function of sport, sharpening physical skills and
mental attitudes necessary for hunting game and combat. The rise of
stick-fighting as a physical contest created a stage for young boys to assert
themselves within a specific age-group, achieve a social identity in
competition with others, and, possibly, achieve a degree of 'independence'
unavailable to the common person.
Zulu Stick Fighting
(or Zulu Impi) Long past its days of glory, stick
fighting is no longer a common practice among the Zulu people, and
practitioners struggle to validate its existence in these days of political
turmoil, acculturation, and modernisation.
Nonetheless, stick fighting appears to assist in upholding the traditional
social system by perpetuating socially accepted modes of male behaviour and ideals. Stick fighting, as a cultural
tradition, therefore continues to fulfil its
traditional didactic function in some Zulu communities.
Central Africa
Gwindulumutu
A head bashing style of martial arts from Congo
Kipura
A martial art of Congo in which the fighting techniques are based on that
of a rooster's. Believed to be a predecessor of Capoeira.
Mousondi
a Martial art that later lead to the development of Kalenda.
Western Africa
Borey
Borey is from the Gambia it is a grappling art of
the Mandiga; it consists of knees, head butts,
kicks and holds to break the neck, leg, collar bone and arm. It is similar to
Laamb.
Gambian Wresting
Gambian Wrestling is an African martial art that is a deep-seated tradition
and national sport. The warriors wear loincloths called "Juju's"
and strut, dance, spar, and brag in challenge of noisy support from the
drums. The fight continues until a contestant is brought to the ground.
Punching, kicking, spitting and flinging sand in the eyes is all legal. After
sundown, the atmosphere builds with excitement as the champions come out to
fight. Note: May be the same as Borey.
Peul
A martial art of Guinea.
Dambe
Dambe, or Hausa Boxing, is a fist fighting system
from Nigeria consisting of kicks, punches, knees and headbutts. Dambe is a savage
method of empty hand combat and a testament to the creativity of African
warriors.
Gidigbo
A kind of Wrestling practiced by the Yoruba of Western Nigeria.
Igba Magba
A martial art native to Nigeria.
Korokoro
A ritual martial art intertwined with the Korokoro
dance of Nigeria.
Moringue
A stick fighting art of Reunion.
Béri
A native style of wrestling from Senegal.
Borey
The art of Borey is also native to Senegal, and (in
the Senegal style) consists of punching, kicking, headbutting,
grappling, and joint locks
Dioula
a native martial art of Senegal
Laamb
Laamb (a.k.a. "Senegalese wrestling")
is a wrestling art that takes place in Senegal. Before the event, the beating
of the drums, along with the mellow voices of the singers, will alert
everyone that it's about to start. The crowd would gather around a sandy pit
and watch several bouts before the final bout of 2 champions. The fighters
would wear "wrappers" around their waist, which would be provided
by their fiancés or female relatives, and the rest of their body will be
naked. The winner must knock his opponent's knees, shoulder, or back to the
sand. Strikes and slaps are allowed nowadays.
Mkazo Ncha Shikana
African pressure point grappling. Most commonly practiced in Senegal.
N’oboro
A stick fighting art from Senegal.
Olva
A native style of wrestling from Senegal.
Evala
Evala is a wrestling sport practiced by the Kabye people of northern Togo. In wrestling competitions, boys try to prove
their manhood by winning an Evala wrestling match
and it is used as an initiation ceremony.
Zvaha
A native wrestling martial art of Togo.
Yuna Onse
An art that is very similar to Capoeira, as it is
one of its many predecessors.
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Korean Martial arts
Tae kwon Do
Tae
Kwon Do or the Korean art of kicking and punching, is a form of unarmed
combat based on Karate. The name Tae Kwon Do, was officially adopted in 1959,
and was submitted by the South Korean general Choi
Hong Hi. Tae Kwon Do is characterized by the extensive use of high standing
jump kicks, as well as fast punches. It is practiced mainly as a sport, but
can be used for self-defence. Training in Tae Kwon
Do consists of learning individual techniques of kicking, punching, and
blocking, which are practiced in combined sets known as hyung.
(Proficiency in the graded series of hyung
determines rank in the lower grades.) Students also practice basic sparring
combinations (il-bo taeryun,
"one-step sparring"); these are a set of short sequences of attack
and counter attack practiced between partners. When students have learnt
this, they then practice free sparring. In sparring, blows are stopped just
short of contact. During sparring, points are awarded for correctly executed
techniques or the quality of a performed hyung.
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Chinese Martial arts
Tai chi Chuan
There are many theories as to the origins of tai
chi chuan. Many schools believe the founder was the Taoist monk Chan San Feng, who lived in the Sung Dynasty (AD 960-1279). The
legend states that Chan San Feng watched a battle
between a bird and a snake ten times its size. As the bird lunged at its
prey, the wily reptile dodged and weaved, lashing back at its tormentor with
relaxed lightning speed. Eventually the exhausted bird flew off for an easier
prey. In that instant the art of tai chi was said to have been born.
Chan San Feng, a master of the Shaolin martial arts, applied the principles he had witnessed through
his martial arts experience. The snake's actions, exemplified the Taoist
principles of softness, relaxation, flexibility and naturalness, allied to
the ancient breathing exercises to stimulate chi development. The snake also
had immense spiritual significance, stretching back to antiquity.
It is not until the seventeenth century that tai chi was officially verified.
Henen Province in northern China was home to the Chen family of Tai chi. This
family has been credited with developing the Chen style, from which all the
major schools - directly or indirectly - have developed. It is generally
accepted that this 'new' style of martial art was developed from the popular
existing arts at the time. The difference was that its movements were soft
and it did not contend with opponents:
adapting to their movements, yielding and not resisting power.
The dragon is the ultimate source of female power and the symbol of
magic, motherhood and divinity: a valiant defender. Dragons were perceived as
powerful, protective, fearsome, and resolute. They were valued for their
warlike qualities, but also for their intelligence, wisdom and ability to prophesise the future. Some dragons lived in lakes or
water, whilst others made their homes on top of huge rocky mountains or
inside caves. Some dragons could fly, whilst others could breath
fire. This mastery of the elements, again emphasises the dragon’s magical prowess.
Kung Fu
developed in the Hunan province of China in the 5th Century AD. A famous Buddhist monk,
Da Mo, came from India to China and spent many years teaching Buddhism at the
Shaolin Temple. During this period of his life, he developed a system of physical
and breathing exercises. This developed into what is now known as Kung Fu.
The physical exercises were devised by watching and imitating the movements
of different animals. Da Mo took the best of nature’s methods and
combined them into a man made system. Breathing exercises were developed to
improve health and strength to the body’s inner organs. Although
physical exercise can strengthen the body and limbs,
Da Mo knew he needed to keep the inner organs healthy
since they provided the fuel to keep the body going. As a person’s
breathing becomes better and his or her organs become stronger, that person
will begin to develop "Chi". Chi is the ability to reach inside and
draw power from within the body. This power comes directly through utilisation of all of the chakras (centres
of energy) but most importantly from the "Tan Tien"
which is located in the lower abdomen. Da Mo developed these breathing patterns, which are
still used today in Kung Fu, Yoga and other forms of exercise and meditation.
By
the 13th Century AD, Shaolin Kung Fu had developed
and expanded throughout Asia. In Japan it evolved into Karate. In Korea it was known as Tae Kwon Do. Most Asian martial
arts evolved from Kung Fu. All current Kung Fu styles are off-shoots of the
original Shaolin Kung Fu from Southern China.
The lion has always
held a high place In
heraldry as the emblem
of deathless
courage, and, hence, that of a valiant
warrior. It is said
to be a lively image of
a good soldier, who
must be valiant in
courage, strong of
body, politic in council
and a foe to fear
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Japanese Martial arts
Karate
Karate
is the way of the empty hand. As legend has it, the evolution of
karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the fifth
century BC when Bodhidharma arrived in Shaolin-si (small forest temple) in China, from India and taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a
systematized set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body. These
exercises allegedly marked the beginning of the Shaolin
style of temple boxing. Bodhidharma's teachings
later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. But the name
of karate does not appear until this fighting art reached the
island of Okinawa in Japan. Karate developed from the synthesis of two fighting techniques;
(i)
from an indigenous form
of closed fist fighting which developed in Okinawa and called Te, or 'hand'.
(ii)
the influence
of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island,
mainly kung fu and jujitsu
The
Okinawans were famous and feared fighters and, as a
result, weapons-bans were imposed on them at various points in their history.
This encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques. For this reason, the
Okinawans developed secret unarmed training, to
defeat an armed opponent. Karate also contains philosophical teachings, which
are a product of ancient Chinese and Japan culture. These twin influences on karate, emphasise, the ying and yang of
the system.
Kobudo
Okinawan Kobudo (Ancient Warrior Ways) is the study of "karate weapons". The
people of Okinawa were prohibited from using military weapons (See
above). In the absence of swords and spears, the villagers developed a system
of fighting using adapted farm and fishing implements. These included sticks
(bos), two pieces of wood connected by rope (nunchaku), razor sharp sickles (Kamas), little spears (sai), etc, etc. This ancient practice has developed into
the art known as Kobudo. Hundreds of years ago kobudo was the primary art used in self-defence.
Only
when you lost your Kobudo weapons was Karate, the
way of the empty hand, used. Nowadays this is reversed. We practice Karate,
because of the legal restrictions in many countries for training with weapons
Aikido
Aikido
means "way of spiritual harmony". It was originally derived from
the Japanese soft style techniques termed jujutsu/jujitsu. Aikido is a self-defence system that utilizes twisting and throwing
techniques, turning an attacker's strength and momentum against them.
Pressure on vital nerve centres is also used.
Aikido was developed to subdue, rather than maim or kill as in Karate or Ju-Jitsu, but many of its movements can nevertheless be
deadly. Aikido especially emphasises the importance
of achieving complete mental control of one's own body to master an
opponent's attack. As in other Japanese martial arts, (the development of
courtesy and respect is an integral part of Aikido training. The basic skills
of Aikido originated in Japan during the 14th century. In the early 20th century
they were systematized through the work of the Japanese DaiToRyu
Yawara (AiKi Jujitsu)
expert Morei Ueshiba.
There are no offensive moves in Aikido. As taught by Ueshiba,
it is a purely defensive art. No direct competition or contest can exist
between practitioners. It is not a sport! In 1969 the founder Morei Ueshiba passed away. And
so the 2nd generation "doshu" became Kissomaru Ueshiba (son of Morei Ueshiba) (1969 -1997).
From 1997 to present time the 3rd doshu has been Moriteru Ueshiba. At present
hundreds of schools and organisations have broken
away from the original teachings and new schools have started throughout the
world.
 The eagle was a symbol born by men of action, occupied with high and
weighty affairs. It was given to those of lofty spirit, ingenuity, speed in
comprehension, and discrimination in matters of ambiguity. The wings signify
protection, and the gripping talons symbolize ruin to evil-doers. In
antiquity there is the link to the Kemetian Heru/Horus the ancient symbol of the justice the avenger,
and the first man.
Jujutsu
Jujutsu means gentle art. It is one of the oldest forms of
hand-to-hand combat in Japan. Records of Jujutsu date back over 2000
years. The ancient art was spawned from systems of combat for the samurai of Japan. These systems of combat were primarily, but not
exclusively taught, learned, and used by the samurai, (the lords and rulers
of Japan.)
Jujutsu became more formally organised in the latter half of the 16th century, and
various Ryu (schools or styles) were created
between the 17th and 19th centuries. There were around 179 styles of
Jujutsu during this period. In those days, the warriors wore light
dress, and many Jujutsu styles employed throwing techniques and joint
manipulation. Warriors learnt physical skills, but the building of one's
character was of the utmost importance. Jujutsu is not merely a martial art
but a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture and is also bound up in the
religion of Shintoism (the State religion.)
Judo
Japanese
JUDO (from Chinese: "gentle way") is a system of unarmed combat. It
is now primarily a sport, but like Aikido it was derived from
Jujutsu/Jujitsu. Sport judo rules are complex; the objective is to throw the
opponent cleanly, pin him, or master him by applying pressure to joints.
Techniques are generally intended to turn an opponent's force to one's own
advantage rather than to oppose it directly. A ritual of courtesy is intended
to promote an attitude of calm, readiness and confidence.
The
usual costume, known as judogi, is a loose jacket
and trousers of strong white cloth. Novices wear white belts while masters
wear black belts, with intermediate grades denoted by other colours. Kano Jigoro (1860-1938) collected the knowledge of the old
jujitsu schools of the Japanese samurai and in 1882 founded his
Kodokan School of judo, the beginning of the sport in its modern form. By the 1960s
judo associations had been established in most countries and affiliated to
the International Judo Federation with headquarters in Paris. Judo was included in Olympic games competition
for the first time at Tokyo
in 1964 and held regularly from 1972. World judo championships for women
began in 1980. Women’s Olympic competitions began in 1992.
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Philippines Martial Arts
Escrima
A
Filipino martial art that has been developed during many decades. It utilizes
the short stick as the main weapon. It has sport and self defence
applications.
The dog is the emblem of faithfulness and
guardianship. Dogs are considered loyal and temperate and the dog is a symbol
of a skilled hunter.
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Other martial arts
American Kick Boxing
Kickboxing is a very western adaptation of karate,
mixed with elements of Muay Thai. In the
1970s, many karate practioners considered the rules
concerning, ‘contact’, unsatisfactory. Joe Lewis (A karate expert
and training to be a professional boxer) took up the mantle at first to
reform Karate and in the process developed Kick-boxing.
Joe set up full-contact karate, as it was then known. Kicks and
punches were legal to most parts of the body, like in Muay
Thai, but no elbows or knees were allowed. Knockouts resembled those for
professional boxing.
But early tournaments were held in ways similar to karate tournaments.
The ring size was the standard for karate. Later in the decade, matches were
fought in boxing rings. From then on it was called kickboxing. Today, it is
an international mainstream sport.
Muay Thai
As Thailand's national sport, Muay
Thai has developed over more than a thousand years, originally growing from
the necessity to defend the country from the expansion of Burma, and China. Muay Thai initially
developed with bare-knuckle fights. Later, fighters bound their knuckles with
hemp rope. During this period, there were no rounds, no weight divisions, no gloves,
with the winner being the one still standing at the end!
The first
interest in Muay Thai as a sport is documented in
the year of 1584, under the rule of King Naresuan.
The King himself was well trained in the art of Muay
Thai and so were his soldiers. Soon the art spread to the public and new
fighting techniques began to evolve. Matches were held in every town and
village on a daily basis. In the 1930's the Thai government enforced changes
in response to the death of a Thai fighter in 1926. This subsequently saw the
sport's entry into the international fighting scene.
Many
international boxing rules such as rings, weight divisions and gloves were adopted, dangerous techniques such as head butting, limb
breaking and choking techniques were banned. Now in the new Millennium, Muay Thai is undisputed king of the kickboxing ring, with
the sport enjoying unprecedented popularity around the world.
Horses are considered spirited,
powerful and beautiful animals. They were thought of like brave warriors: highly
skilled fighters who loved victory and were miserable when conquered. The
horse signifies readiness to act for one's country. It is also a symbol of
speed, intellect and virility.
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