Students Of Success

Karate-do, in all its various forms, finds its origins in one place - the Ryukyu islands off the coast of Japan. What we know as one of the most widely practiced systems of self defense and discipline in the world is the result of centuries of development. While Karate-do was introduced as a code of ethics to a peacetime America only a few decades ago, it began through the need of Ryukyu natives for better methods of fighting.

There are a few theories about the origins of the fighting arts that later became collectively known as Karate-do. However, it is certain that many notable Chinese kung fu practitioners settled in Okinawa, the capital of the Ryukyu kingdom.

The origins of the Chinese arts themselves are also shrouded in the mists of time. A widely accepted theory is that Bodhidharma, the founder of Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism created what would later evolve into Shaolin kung-fu. The original exercises were used to strengthen his monks’ bodies, minds, and spirits, to help them better fulfill their duties. This level of personal cultivation carried across to many Chinese martial arts. By way of transmission to other countries, this carried across to other martial arts, Karate-do being one of them.

Details are rather sketchy at best as to the actual origins of Karate-do, however. It is most widely accepted that the 1507 weapons ban passed by King Sho Shin led to the rapid development of native unarmed fighting arts. These arts were primarily influenced by various forms of Chinese kung fu, which Okinawans began learning in the 14th century.

Okinawans learned forms of Shaolin kung fu from Shaolin masters who fled China as a result of the oppressive Qing dynasty. Okinawans also learned various forms of kung fu from Chinese merchants, Chinese officials on diplomatic missions, and young members of wealthy Okinawan families who went to China to learn “Quan Fa” / kung fu to further their education and martial arts studies. The general name given to the fighting arts learned and further refined by the Okinawan martial artists was tode-jutsu (alternately spelled tou-di), the Okinawan name given to Chinese martial arts.

In February 1609, invasion of Okinawa by the Satsuma clan (of Kyushu, Japan) triggered another period of rapid development of native Okinawan fighting arts. Satsuma control lasted until 1879, when the King of Ryukyu finally abdicated and the country became part of Japan.

During this period, kobudo (often translated “old fighting method”; commonly used to represent Okinawan weapon fighting) evolved. Farm implements were used as weapons, as traditional weapons were not allowed. However, some of the native Ryukyu warrior class traveled up to the Satsuma clan in the later part of the 19th century and learned their samurai fighting art Jigen-ryu kenjutsu. It was not long after this that Sokon Matsumura, “Toudi” Sakugawa, and Tsuken Koura, among the many who had made the trip, introduced their contributions to kobudo.

Matsumura is commonly considered the great grandfather of the karate movement in and around Shuri. He learned native Okinawan fighting from Sakugawa (who in turn learned from Kusankun and other masters). He later studied in Fujian and Satsuma. He learned Shaolin Boxing (Shorin-ryu) under the tutelage of master Iwah. As a result of the efforts of Matsumura, the fighting arts that surfaced around the noble / castle district of Shuri came to be known as Shuri-te (Shuri hand).

The Chinese master Ason taught Zhao Ling Liu (Shorei-ryu) to Sakiyama, Gushi, Nagahama, and Tomoyori of Naha, leading to the development of Naha-te. Xie Zhongxiang (nicknamed Ryuru Ko) of Fuzhou founded Whooping Crane kung fu (hakutsuru) and taught it to a number of notable karate masters in the Fuzhou province. Wai Xinxian, it is said, was a Qing dynasty officer, and taught Xingyi kung fu as well as Monk Fist Boxing. It is also said he assisted Master Iwah’s instruction in Fuzhou province.

Owen Johnston lives and teaches Wado ryu Karate in Lake City, South Carolina. For more information on classes in the Florence / Pee Dee area, please visit Johnston Wado ryu Karate - Online Community.

Swords of Honor will now carry the quality made swords called Generation 2. These swords will include Roman Gladius swords, Scottish swords, Celtic swords, Crusader swords, Viking swords, Movie and Fantasy swords, and more. Also, a very special limited edition “Iron Mistress” is now available in limited quantities.

The manufacturer is now producing the new swords (unlike any they have ever produced) with all new specifications, and a new tempering process that will truly make the Generation2* swords ready to win the Steel-to-SteelSM challenge. Each piece of the sword or knife and each scabbard it made and fit for just that piece, not mass produced and mass assembled. Each one is meticulously done, but yes at different specialized stations.

All tangs are a continuation of the blade that runs completely through the handle and connects to the pommel (not the thin rod used in most all swords). Although they are historically correct in appearance, specifications were set to produce a sword that could withstand the riggers of steel to steel and not produce a failure.

The first test was on several 2″x 4″s standing up and split them with no marring on the blade. The second test was on a 2″x 4″ cross ways resting on a solid rest and striking straight down. It did not cut all the way through, but it did cut deep and again did not mar the blade or edge. Then the ultimate test was Steel-to-Steel *, with 9 good blows. These tests resulted in NO breakage or looseness developing in the blade, tang, or handle of the swords.

* Steel to Steel Swords is the Service mark of Generation2 / Imperial Co., Inc. Copyright© 2001 -2004 all rights reserved.

Check out these fine swords and many more at http://www.swordsofhonor.com.

Swords of Honor was established in 1999 and has been serving Sword and Medieval enthusiasts for the past 7 years.

The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a martial arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both karate and tae kwon do seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.

Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Many tae kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.

It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both karate and tae kwon do competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts in tae kwon do end up studying karate as well and the opposite has been true too. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version of tae kwon do fighting comes from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese kung fu).

Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.

Becoming a martial artist is a fanatastic method of fitness. While there are many martial art forms to choose from, taekwondo is clearly the most beneficial, and the most practical. And while many realize the benefits of such exercise, the simple fact is most have no idea how to begin.

Getting in shape is a committment to essentially change the way life is lived for the better. But knowing this does not make the first step any easier to take, so many just give up.

Beginning a martial arts program obviously starts with choosing either a school or at the very least, an instructor. Both should be done carefully, but simply getting into a program is a must.

Taekwondo is more of a sport than a martial art, but this distinction makes the art form more readily transferrable to the general public. In short, nearly anyone can practice taekwondo, and with dedication, nearly anyone can become a formidable martial artist.

Taekwondo teaches the equal use of hands and feet, with the emphasis on becoming adept at using both the right and left sides of the body for defense and for attack. Perhaps more importantly than anything else, taekwondo stresses stamina and mental toughness, along with using sound techniques and being in control.

Most people have little or no time to spend getting and staying in shape, but with most taekwondo programs, any time during the day, there are classes to attend. This tends to solve the problem of finding the time to invest in something that is endlessly beneficial, and is yet another reason to choose taekwondo as the martial art to study.

But one of the aspects of taekwondo is how quickly one sees results. Indeed, this is a tremendous motivator to continue practicing taekwondo, and before one knows it, they have altered their life to find a way to fit taekwondo into it.

With all the hand and foot techniques that are taught and practiced in taekwondo, one can easily begin to excel at even the most basic techniques, thereby motivating the student even MORE to stay with it.

Clearly, there are countless health benefits to this particular martial art, but there is a confidence and mental toughness that easily comes with taekwondo in that what is being learned and practiced is practical. Blocks are aggressive, kicks and punches are accurate, and the abilty to perfect both forms and board-breaking only adds to the overall enjoyment of taekwondo.

Increased heart rate and increased muscle tone and muscle mass, as well as the aforementioned increase in confidence and stamina is more than enough to begin, practice, and perfect the martial art of taekwondo.

I am a black belt in taekwondo, but only after sampling many other martial arts forms, finally settling on taekwondo…

“There Are No Superior Martial Arts,
Only Superior Martial Artists”

I’ve read, heard, repeated and written that phrase so often I can’t even remember where it came from. The reason I like it so much is because it’s true!

This article is not another effort to debate the merits of one self-defense system over another. Nor is it to argue about which style will or won’t work “on the street.” All martial arts have components within them that are powerful fighting techniques. It’s important to know which ones they are!

Self-Defense Systems Differ,
But Self-Defense Principles Don’t

On the surface, martial arts and self-defense systems seem different. However, if they are legitimate and effective, the principles underlying them are the same.

Principles are the rules about the way things are. They are inarguable, non-negotiable and unchanging. They have nothing to do with the way we think things are or the way we want them to be. Like the laws of physics, they just are.

As “Martial Scientists,” our goal is to explore, discover, test and confirm the operative principles that define and influence the reality of combat. Your ability to produce a desired result, in this case to effectively defend yourself, is a direct result of how well you understand and apply the principles of combat and human performance.

What Do You Know About
Performance Under Pressure?

This article is about how fear and stress affect fighting performance. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned martial artist, a self-defense enthusiast, or a self-taught “ham & egger” who just wants to stay in shape and boost your confidence, this information is important to know. If you are training for self-defense, you need to select and develop skills that will be effective in the chaos of a violent conflict. This article will help you in that process.

FEAR, STRESS AND SELF-DEFENSE

Stress Is Good, But Only If It
Works For And Not Against You

Stress is our response to a real or perceived threat that we inherited from our ancestors. It was, and is, essential for our survival as a species. That survival mechanism, often called the “Fight or Flight Response,” is a good thing. If properly managed, it can be a powerful force in fighting off (fight) or escaping from (flight) a violent assailant. However, if ignored or misunderstood, stress can impair our mental and physical performance and compromise our effectiveness in a fight.

What Is “Self-Defense Stress?”

Stress, as it relates to violence, is the response to a perceived discrepancy between a threat and your ability to control it under conditions where the outcome has the potential for death, injury or physical degradation.

The Symptoms Of Stress

Stress causes a variety of psychological and physiological changes. Without getting into the specifics of those changes, the affects of intense stress on performance fall into three categories:

1. Perceptual Distortion - loss of peripheral vision and depth perception, hearing may be impaired, changes in pain sensitivity, etc.

2. Cognitive Impairment - the emotional centers in the brain become predominant and creative or logical thinking is impaired.

3. Motor Skill Deterioration - the ability to perform certain physical actions is impaired by stress. However, other actions can actually be enhanced by stress.

Each of these categories could form an article (or book) of their own. However, for the purposes of this article, I’ll confine myself to information pertaining to the selection and performance of physical skills.

THE KYSS! PRINCIPLE (Keep Your System Simple!)

Why Do Black Belts Get Beat Up?

Why is it that so many martial artists get beat up? I’m sorry to burst your bubble if you thought otherwise but the fact is that many people, even after years of training, have been thumped by “unskilled,” intoxicated adversaries. How can that be?

Often people train with a distorted mental map of what it’s like to be in a real, knockdown, drag-out, anything-goes street-fight. They confuse sparring with fighting and find themselves hesitant, overwhelmed by fear or attempting techniques that just don’t work.

The more clearly you understand the realities of a “fight” and the affects of being in one, the better you can prepare yourself for the chaos of personal combat.

Motor Skills Classification

Motor Skills is a fancy name for physical actions or techniques. They can be divided into three categories:

1. Fine Motor Skills - are actions involving small muscles, dexterity and eye-hand coordination. The ability to perform fine motor skills deteriorates at low to moderate levels of stress.

2. Complex Motor Skills - are actions that link three or more components in a sequence that requires timing and coordination. At moderate to high levels of stress, the ability to perform these skills is also impaired. Many martial arts techniques are complex motor skills. This explains why techniques that may work fine in low-stress training fail in a high-stress street-fight.

3. Gross motor skills - are simple, large-muscle group actions like a squats, pushups and push/pull-type movements. This includes basic fighting skills like a straight punch, a hook punch or a Thai boxer’s knee strike for example. Unlike fine and complex motor skills, gross motor skills DO NOT deteriorate under stress. In fact, they are enhanced by the affects of fear and stress.

Obviously we want to rely predominantly on gross motor skills when designing a self-defense response system.

The “Less-Is-Best” Theory

Some self-defense and martial arts instructors believe in the “More-Is-Better” philosophy. They think that learning a high number of techniques will increase the ability to respond effectively to a wider variety of situations; that the more elaborate the fighting system the more adaptable it becomes.

If you hold this philosophy yourself, please forgive my bluntness but…YOU’RE WRONG!!! The More-Is-Better approach does not withstand scientific scrutiny. Complex or elaborate techniques don’t work in a real fight. It’s as simple as that.

In contrast, the “Less-Is-Best” approach is more practical, realistic and consistent with what science tells us about the way we perform under stress. Here are a few of the benefits of keeping the number of techniques to a minimum.

Faster Reaction Time

As far back as the 1800’s, researchers knew that the more responses you have to a stimulus, the longer it takes react. In 1952, a researcher named Hicks confirmed that for every response choice added, the amount of time required to react doubles! This is widely known as “Hicks Law,” and has been repeatedly confirmed by subsequent research. In a self-defense situation, the longer you take to respond to a threatening action, the more likely you will be injured and defeated.

Fast Results With Minimal Training

Another issue that supports the idea of keeping your inventory of techniques to a minimum is the amount of time you have to practice and the time it takes to build technique competence. (remember: competence builds confidence which reduces stress!)

Imagine you work on 20 techniques and you train for an hour per session. That means you have 3 minutes to invest on each technique. If however, you reduce the number of self-defense techniques to three (just an arbitrary number), you invest 20 minutes on each technique, conceivably investing 600% more time and repetition on each one. What technique wouldn’t be improved by six times more training?

The Brass Knuckle Effect (Cognitive Clarity)

Imagine you knew you were about to be attacked by a large, strong, psychopathic assailant. There is no way of avoiding the fight. Let’s say your self-defense system consists of 20 different techniques. In the stressful moments preceding the encounter your mind is reeling; trying to figure out the most appropriate course of action.

Keep in mind that your cognitive abilities are impaired by stress. Stress-related “brain damage” prevents you from forming a logical or creative solution to your predicament. What will you do?

Seeing your dilemma, a good friend (if he wasn’t before he is now!) discretely passes you a set of brass knuckles. What do you suppose has just happened to your thought process?

I’ll hazard a guess that the mental fog begins to lift, your stress decreases and your objective becomes clear. It’s now a simple matter of taking those brass knuckles and slamming them repeatedly into vulnerable parts of your opponent’s anatomy. Seems simple now doesn’t it?

The potential of you winning the encounter has been significantly enhanced. That same affect can be achieved without the brass knuckles by sticking to a limited, yet adaptable, inventory of dependable fighting skills.

THE SCIENCE OF STRESS POINTS TO THE NEED TO SPECIALIZE

Virtually all accomplished fighters are known for specific techniques that they excel at. However, if you ignore their “bread & butter” techniques, most of them would be considered “average.” Those fighters excel because of their ability to simplify their system and build on their superior techniques.

Knowing what you now know about technique selection and stress performance, what do you think about the merits of “specializing” in a core set of fighting skills? Here’s how to get started.

Explore Your Strengths

Don’t just latch onto a fighting tactic arbitrarily. Evaluate your existing skills and select a strike, a kick, or a finishing hold that seems like a “good fit” for you. What technique to you consistently land or apply when sparring? What is your best or favorite technique? What technique do you feel you would resort to under pressure? Answering these questions will get you started with the specialization process.

Adaptability

Having as few techniques as possible doesn’t mean that you limit your ability to respond to a wide variety of situations. The idea is to take that specialty strike, kick, joint lock or choke and train it in as many different ways as possible. Learn to apply those basic skills at different ranges (striking, clinching or on the ground), against different partners, against different apparatus and in as many drills as you can think of. Learn how to set them up and follow them up. Strive to learn a lot about a little, not vice versa.

Train to Momentary Exhaustion

A good way to see how well a technique holds up under stress is to train it to extreme fatigue. You can bring on the physiology of intense stress by exerting yourself. I call this “blitz training” in the heavy bag article: “There’s nothing like a swift kick to the bag.” on my site at:

http://www.protectivestrategies.com/heavybag.html

Blast out a technique or combination repeatedly for a specified duration or until you can’t do it any more. I can guarantee that gross motor skills will be the only ones conducive to this type of training.

Keep in mind that you wouldn’t do this training all of the time. You need time to recover between intense workouts like this.

Obviously you must be healthy and in good physical shape to do in this training. Refer to my disclaimer page for precautions before following this advice.

http://www.protectivestrategies.com/disclaimer.html

Simplicity Is Not Inflexibility

A final note in keeping things simple is that the process of specialization doesn’t mean that you stop learning, experimenting or that you abandon your existing training program in lieu of a “bare-bones” self-defense program.

If you are proud of your traditional martial arts system stick with it. If you love to jump up, spin around and kick things, then by all means, go for it! Just don’t confuse techniques that will work in a street fight with those that won’t. Apply the science of stress performance by adding specialty training to the degree that you want to develop practical self-defense skills.

SO WHAT? HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION

Using The “KYSS! Principle”
To Evaluate A Potential Specialty Technique

Now its time to put this stuff into practice: Based on the priority you place on “fighting skill.” (there are several other benefits and reasons to train) Take a good, hard look at the skills you have in your inventory and the amount of time you plan to invest in training.

Decide on what proportion of your training you want to dedicate to self-defense. Design your system based on the following “KYSS Criteria.”

=> is the technique a “gross motor skill?”

=> do you have confidence in your ability to perform the skill under pressure?

=> What technique is most successful for you in training sparring or competition? (however don’t confuse those activities with fighting)

=> Is the technique applicable in a wide variety of situations, at different ranges, in different environments, ring clothing that you were during your day-to-day activities?

=> Are you able to construct a wide variety of training drills to build adaptability and flexibility in your chosen techniques?

=> Are there techniques that you’ve selected that are redundant?

=> Do you understand the underlying principles and biomechanics of performing and applying the skill with optimal efficiency?

CONCLUSION

Stress in a combative situation is a given. Expect it. It’s going to be there. Your performance is the result of how confident and well prepared you are in addition to how well designed your self-defense response system is. Attack the problem of stress performance this way:

=> Simplify your system through specializing in a handful of effective and adaptable techniques.

=> Artificially create stress in your training sessions to inoculate yourself to it to some degree (more on this in future articles) and…

=> Select gross motor skills that will be efficient under stress.

Knowing what you now know about stress performance isn’t it obvious that the “KYSS! (Keep Your System Simple!) Principle” is worth incorporating into your training? Scrutinize and evaluate your inventory of fighting skills and select those that meet the KYSS criteria and you will improve your performance in a combative situation dramatically. The bottom line of what I want you to take away from this article is that if you are training for self-defense Keep Your System Simple!

Take care, train smart and stay safe,

Randy LaHaie
Protective Strategies

============== Self-Defense Quote =================

“There are no superior or inferior martial arts, there are only warriors and non-warriors”

“Each martial art is based on doctrine, a set of broad and general beliefs. People who study a single doctrine tend to shut out ideas from other sources and convince themselves that their’s is the one true way of fighting. They become slaves to the very doctrines they profess.”

Forrest E. Morgan, Maj. USAF
Living The Martial Way
A Manual For The Way A Modern Warrior Should Think
================================================================

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective
Strategies and has been teaching reality-based
self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author
of several “Toughen Up Combative Training Guides”
(http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his FREE SELF-DEFENSE NEWSLETTER at
http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

Kicking Techniques For Street Fighting /Self Defense

This technique will also allow a good clinch set up from a kick combination. With some practice this combination can be so successful as to stop the attacker dead in his tracks. Just remember not to put all your eggs into one basket. Although this is a great technique there are many variations possible on the street and you need to keep an open mind and be prepared to adapt to any possibility’s.

Now lets get to the point.

For the set up we assume the attacker is facing you either square on (this would suggest two things, he is either very confident or very stupid) or more likely some sort of side on position (observably making it harder to attack his groin). He may or may not have his guard up.

In fact this is a really good point to discuss before we go on. Loads of people practice there so called street fighting / self defense techniques from a full on fighting stance you know arms up covering head and body with elbows protecting ribs and of course this makes good sense. But in reality most fights do NOT start from this position. In fact many fights are over before you can even form this position. So yes do practice from the guard but also practice from a variety of different standing positions and in between stance positions. Most street scum will not wait for you to square up and form your defensive posture first. Yes I know they all do this in UFC etc but that is nothing like a street fight.

Any way this time I promise to get to the point

So as we said the attacker is facing you. You are in a forward stance. Strike to his knee with your foot use the foot that is closest to the attacker. With this foot drive through his knee. Please note I did not say snap yes this will hurt but not cause that first class pain that stops the attackers brain function for a second or two. And a second is all you need to finish the whole thing. If you can make his knee lock full back on it’s self you may stop him there and then. But we will not rely on this.As soon as the front leg has finished attacking the knee. Strike with your rear leg as hard as you can with your shin or knee. Aim for the center of the thigh (that’s mid way between the knee and the hip) there is in fact a major nerve here you should try to hit him so hard the your knee or shin cuts through the muscle to the bone causing very extreme pain. This can cause enough pain to prevent the attacker continuing or even walking if done hard enough. To develop power in you shin or knee strike practice on a heavy bag or shield.

Depending on your existing skills

But yet again we will not rely on this alone. Now depending on your existing skills you can either use grappling skills like (As promised he is now in an ideal position for a clinch) sweeping throwing techniques. Or strong hand techniques to finish.

Not fixed to this technique.

Remember you are not fixed to this technique if you see another great opening take it. Or may be there is a chance to run if so then take it. No prizes for being the strong man on the street the only prize is if you are still alive any which way you can.

If you would like to learn street fighting techniques and moves for self defense then check my site out!

Want to know a quick and easy way to fight with a knife (or similar weapon) that gives you an almost immediate advantage over almost anyone you fight — even if you have no idea what you’re doing?

Just use what I like to call the “flashlight” technique.

And that means, when you’re fighting with a knife or similar object, you pretend the knife is a flashlight and you follow your opponent with it just as if you were constantly shining a light on him.

In other words, when your opponent moves, you keep the “light” on him.

If he goes left, you point your weapon at him as he moves left. If he goes right, you point your weapon at him as he moves right. Just like if you were holding a flashlight and were keeping the light on him.

I realize this may sound like kind of a “Mickey Mouse” fighting strategy, but I assure you it’s not.

By keeping your “light” on your attacker, you keep him within range and you prevent him from pulling any surprise moves on you. And as an extra “bonus” you will probably frustrate the guy at the same time and cause him to make mistakes.

Anyway, this is very easy to practice on your own.

Just find someone to train with for five or ten minutes with this (I recommend using black magic markers, whoever gets marked up three times loses) and you will be giving yourself an enormous advantage over other people who do not know about this simple technique.

Authentic Japanese swords can and usually do cost a small fortune.

In fact many (though not all) sword collectors maintain that to get a half way decent sword you need to be spending around US$1000. And the maximum? Well, the sky is the limit (there are quite a few Japanese made Katana that sell for around the US$25,000 mark).

So what about all those $50 swords being sold on ebay and everywhere else?

Well, at the end of the day, these swords are often junky ornamental “sword like objects”. They can’t be used as a martial arts weapon. Even just swinging them around with moderate force risks the blade snapping off at the handle…

But if you know what to look for, buying authentic Japanese swords at a reasonable price - say for around US$150 to $500 is quite possible. And in some cases, for even less than this amount of money, it’s possible to get a nice sword that is well balanced, sharp, strong and an excellent ‘bang for your buck’ buy.

For start though - let’s take a very quick look at what separated the authentic Japanese swords from the ornamentals:

• Japanese swords are slightly curved, sharp and single edged

• Authentic Japanese swords are light, fast weapons and should weigh no more than 3lbs max. They are also very well balanced

• Real Japanese swords aren’t made from stainless steel - they are made from high carbon steel. They also have what is called a “differentially tempered blade” - meaning that the sharp edge of the sword is harder than the spine, giving the sword flexibility (so it doesn’t shatter on impact) but also extreme cutting power.

• Real Japanese swords also have a tang (the part of the blade that goes into the handle) that is made as part of the blade, not a length of steel welded on afterwards (called a “rat tail” tang).

There are also a few other factors, such as traditional appearance and fittings to consider…

Now in our target price range of US$150 to $500 - there are only a few swords which qualify - and you’d be surprised, it isn’t necessarily the most expensive ones either…

The first is the Generation 2 BWT Katana (around US$329 + shipping)

While I really like Gen2s line of European swords as top quality yet very affordable “beater” swords, their BWT Katana - while a good choice, still has a few major drawbacks. There are two versions of this sword - a more traditional but rather plain looking one and another that uses a lot of brown suede and has an almost surreal “cowboy” quality to it…

Neither are particularly attractive. But the biggest problem is a structural flaw - in that the BWT Katana uses water buffalo horn for the small but critical band under the hand guard (called the fuchi) that has actually been known to occasionally crack on impact…

Moving on…

A lot of people like the Nahuarra of Mexico Katana (RRP around US$200 - but they are almost impossible to actually buy at this price and tend to go for US$400+)

Unfortunately, they are a bit too plain, too heavy (around 3.52lbs), poorly balanced, sharp (but not as sharp as they should be), difficult to find and - well…

Moving on…

Cold Steel make a very durable “Katana” for just a tad over the US$300 mark. These swords are sharp and extremely durable. But they aren’t in any way traditional. They aren’t differentially tempered (they are a mono-steel sword, like a European blade - all of one uniform hardness) and they aren’t balanced properly…

BUT - they aren’t a BAD choice… Only thing is, in my opinion (and in the opinion of many Japanese sword enthusiasts the world over) there is a better and even cheaper alternative.

If you are really looking for an affordable “entry level” Japanese sword - there really is only 1 choice, and that’s the Practical Katana and the Practical Plus Katana by Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge.

These swords have it all - and for an online price tag of around US$279 for the Practical Plus Katana and US$169 for the plain vanilla model - they offer outstanding value for money.

They are light (under 3lbs) and incredibly well balanced. They are made from top quality high carbon steel. They have a “differentially tempered” blade, a solidly constructed tang and boy - are these babies sharp! I’ve cut everything from cardboard boxes to lengths of rope, water filled plastic bottles (of all shapes and sizes in a row and hanging), bamboo and traditional rolled tatami mats and it’s no exaggeration to say that I have never once actually felt any resistance to my cuts. In fact, many of my friends who aren’t sword nuts are able to effortlessly cut a plastic water bottle filled with water so easily that they swore that they missed (until the water comes gushing out over their feet that is).

I just love these swords! And what’s so cool about them is the price! NOTHING COMES CLOSE!

Now sure, they aren’t the same as swords ten times the price. But I remember seeing on a website when I was first checking them out a side by side comparison of quite a few different “entry level” Katana - and these were the only cheap Japanese swords that even got a look in - and overall, they were just 33% behind swords TEN TIMES THE PRICE!

Anyway - at the end of the day, if you love authentic Japanese swords, and don’t have (or don’t want to spend) a whole lot of money, you should have a serious look at these swords! I guarantee, you’ll join me and a small army of raving fans across the world…

For more information on Authentic Japanese Swords, including test cutting results and heaps more, check out my article by clicking on the link or visit my websites homepage: Sword-Buyers-Guide.com

After an eleven year break I began looking for a karate school in order to train again. I had a serious advantage in that I had already spent a lot of years training karate and had earned a Black Belt. So I knew exactly what I wanted in a school. And what I didn’t want as well.

Good quality karate instruction I would recognize. But this time around was different; I had three children I hoped would be interested in learning. Having been part of a very good children’s program in the past, I knew what I wanted for them, too.

No karate program is perfect. There are things I haven’t agreed with at all three schools where I’ve trained. And that’s a good thing, it means I’m thinking for myself. (Even when I’m wrong. It happens a lot.) I’m sure you will find things you don’t agree with.

So this ‘list’ is meant to help you think for yourself, about what you want to see in a karate school. Let’s get started.

Instructor / school owner with too much ego – I believe this tops my list of worst traits. Unfortunately, it may take time to fully assess. And don’t let the sight of students bowing to the instructor fool you. That’s a good thing (I’ll mention it again later.)

Affiliation with a bigger organization – National or international; visit the website. The one unaffiliated group I’ve trained with had avoidable problems, things that might have been solved by being part of a larger group. “No affiliation” could very well mean, in fact probably does mean, too much ego. (Follow the link below for one example.)

Time to Black Belt should be at least 3 ½ years – Minimum. With all tests passed and none missed, but will most likely take longer. When you find those “Black Belt Programs” that guarantee this milestone (some even in two years) turn around and run, don’t walk.

Engaged instructors and students – you may not have the background to know if the karate is good quality, but you’ll know if the instructors and students are motivated. Do they speak respectfully to each other, do they bow respectfully, do they remain focused and work hard the entire class? Are they having fun while doing these things?

Students follow the pace of the class – And does the instructor push until all students are obviously challenged?

Black Belt is not the end – The sign says “Black Belt Is My Goal!” So what about after Black Belt? First-hand, I’ve experienced the problem of weak post-Black-Belt instruction. (See ‘Affiliation’ above.)

A school has to be a business to survive – However, for the business to survive, the students – and the quality of instruction – have to come first. (Read ‘Contract’, next.)

A contract is not necessarily a bad thing – It’s true that some people need a contractual commitment of money in order to stick with their own training, or their child’s. You will find arrangements from month-to-month payment, to yearly contracts, to prepaid “Black Belt Guarantee” programs (remember to run, not walk from this last one.) I participated in a yearly contract arrangement with the unaffiliated group and ended up getting burned a little. And I had a long track record with the school! (See ‘Business’ above.)

Separate kids-only and adults-only classes – It takes us adults longer than kids to get the hang of some of this stuff, in general. And we should be taught differently. Look for a family class if you and your child want to train together.

Six-foot high trophies in the window – Open tournaments. When integrated into the program properly, affiliate tournaments are a great teaching tool. And a whale of a lot of fun! Open tournaments, however, are another beast altogether. They might be a lot of fun, they might be a terrible experience or somewhere in the middle. I’ve never been to one. But I’ve heard enough stories from people who have. And their experiences support my understanding that throwing a lot of unknown people together from a lot of unknown, unaffiliated karate schools invites less than desirable results. Enough said.

My suggestion is to read through this list again and write down questions that come to mind. Any good instructor will gladly answer them, and will have questions of his or her own for you. Any good karate school will allow you to join in a few classes with no financial obligation, just ask. If they won’t, move on to the next school on your list.

I’ve been very fortunate in finding high quality karate instruction; the good schools and teachers are out there. Learning good karate offers you so much more than what you see as a spectator. It’s well worth the effort to prepare for your karate school choice.

I wish you well in your search and training.

Sincerely,

Bryan Hix
Cho Dan (First Degree Black Belt)

World Tang Soo Do Association
http://www.worldtangsoodo.com

My Contact Page
http://www.practicekarate.com/blog/index.php/contact-page/

Offer your feedback to this article in My ‘Practice Karate’ Blog
http://www.practicekarate.com/blog/index.php/2006/01/08/your-karate-school-search-blog-entry/

Copyright © 2006, Bryan D. Hix, http://www.PracticeKarate.com. All rights reserved. You may reproduce this article by including this copyright and, if reproducing it electronically, including the above live link to the ‘Practice Karate’ website.

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:

“How much has everyone improved in the year since we last got together?”

I’ve practiced the same basics everyday for decades.

Everyday Rain or shine. Summer, winter, spring and fall. Over and over and over………………………………………

And I’m never satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.

I don’t train a lot of “techniques”. But, I train those “techniques” a lot.

Basic fundamental stuff. That’s all I can handle.

Over and over and over and over and over…………………………..

Know why?

Because I’m NEVER satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.

Nope! I’m NEVER happy.

It might be nice to “do” more advanced, complex, and exotic stuff.

But personally I can’t justify it. I see far too much room for improvement in just the most basic fundamental stuff.

Because I’m never satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.

I guess the problem is that I don’t have a clue as to when these basics become “good” enough. Seems to me I could spend the rest of my life constantly working at improving just a handful of solid basics and still NEVER be satisfied. Never be fast enough, never hit hard enough.

Damn. Consigned to an existence of fundamental basics. Well, I guess I’m just one of the unlucky few.

Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com