Showing category "Video" (Show all posts)

Kendo Demonstration - Part 3

Posted by on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, In : Video

Richard Hill and his student demonstrating some basic kendo moves at the Asian Art Museum's educator workshop for the Lords of the Samurai exhibition on September 5, 2009.

Insane Fitness Training

Posted by on Sunday, December 27, 2015, In : Video

Insane Fitness Training.
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Kendo Demonstration - Part 2

Posted by on Thursday, October 15, 2015, In : Video

Richard Hill and his student demonstrating some basic kendo moves at the Asian Art Museum's educator workshop for the Lords of the Samurai exhibition on September 5, 2009.
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Old School Shotokan Karate

Posted by on Sunday, August 30, 2015, In : Video

Elwyn Hall, George Best, Ronnie Christopher and Gary Harford show their karate skills in this old school Shotokan video.
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Ronda Rousey Wins at UFC 190

Posted by on Sunday, August 2, 2015, In : Video

Ronda Rousey beat her opponent Bethe Correia on her home turf in just 34 seconds at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro to retain the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. Ronda and her team decided to play brawler Correia at her own game and she went out aggressively from the start. The Brazilian made her mistake when she tried to clinch her opponent near the edge of the Octagon which failed and left her scrambling. Rousey had no hesitation and delivered the knockout blow winning her 12th straight ...
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Capoeira Demonstration

Posted by on Monday, July 27, 2015, In : Video

The History of Kihon Kata

Posted by on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, In : Video

An instructional video of kihon kata by Sensei Masao Kawasoe.

Kihon (basic form) is the most elementary of all the shotokan kata. Invented by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi as an easy introduction to kata and karate itself, it is made up of only two moves, gedan bari (lower block) and oi tsuki (lunge punch). Kihon kata, also known as Taikyoku Shodan, is a part of a set of basic kata that Funakoshi introduced, though in shotokan only the first is now taught and even that has now disappeared from the...
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The History of the Heian Kata

Posted by on Friday, January 30, 2015, In : Video

The Heian (peaceful mind) kata are derived from the older Okinawan Pinan kata (which also means peaceful or calm mind). Sensei Gichin Funakoshi changed the name of these and many other Shotokan kata when he took karate to Japan in the early 1920s in a bid to make them more accessible to a Japanese consumer base. An interesting karate history fact is that the kata we know today as Heian Nidan was originally the first of the Heian kata until in the 1930s, Funakoshi switched Nidan with Shodan. ...
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The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

Posted by on Saturday, August 30, 2014, In : Video

In the scene above from the 1973 classic Bruce Lee movie Enter the Dragon, the main character, Mr Lee, encounters a bully while travelling on a boat. When ask of his style, Lee replies;

“You can call it the art of fighting without fighting”.

He agrees to show the bully his art but instead of violence, he uses his intelligence and traps the bully on a smaller boat. This segment of the film was adapted from a similar incident that is said to have happened to a 16th century samurai warrio...
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Roy Elghanayan - Krav Maga

Posted by on Sunday, August 17, 2014, In : Video

Roy Elghanayan demonstrating the lethal art of Krav Maga.
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Kendo Demonstration - Part II

Posted by on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, In : Video

Richard Hill describes some moves from a kendo kata at the Asian Art Museum's educator workshop
for the Lords of the Samurai exhibition on September 5, 2009.
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The History of the Tekki Kata

Posted by on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, In : Video

The Tekki (Iron Horse) kata originally came from the Okinawan style of karate known as Shuri-te and were derived from one longer form called Naihanchi (Internal Divided Conflict) that was revised and split into three through Anko Itosu’s teachings.

Gichin Funakoshi performing Tekki Shodan

Some scholars believe he actually invented Tekki Nidan and Sandan, but as only Tekki Shodan has a formal opening, they were probably derived from one kata. It is believed that Itosu learned Naihanchi from ...
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Kendo Demonstration - Part I

Posted by on Friday, June 6, 2014, In : Video

Richard Hill describes the gear worn by kendoka at the Asian Art Museum's educator workshop for the
Lords of the Samurai exhibition on September 5, 2009.
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The History of the Bassai Kata

Posted by on Monday, May 26, 2014, In : Video

The Bassai (To Penetrate a Fortress) kata are believed to have been designed to complement each other as the first, Bassai Dai, (Dai means major/large) represents getting into a fortress and the second, Bassai Sho, (Sho means minor/small) represents getting out again.There are many versions of these kata practiced in various styles and while the origins within martial arts history are obscure, there is a 400 year old silk drawing which supposedly depicts an early version of Bassai Dai.

Some h...

Thirteen Iaido Kata

Posted by on Sunday, April 6, 2014, In : Video

A demonstration of thirteen Iaido kata.
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The History of Empi

Posted by on Friday, March 14, 2014, In : Video

The origins of the kata Empi (Flight of the Swallow) are unclear though there are three main theories on how it came into being;

Empi was, according to some sources, originally brought to Okinawa from China in 1683 by an envoy named Wang Ji, an expert in Shaolin Fujian White Crane.
Others suggest it was brought to the island with the arrival of a group of Chinese immigrants known as the Thirty-Six Families. Their appearance in the late 14th century changed the history of fighting on Okinaw...

Muhammad Ali Saves Suicidal Man

Posted by on Monday, March 3, 2014, In : Video

In 1981, Muhammad Ali happened to be in the area when a Vietnam veteran was threatening to jump from the ninth floor or a building. After attempts by the police, a phycologist and a minister to talk the man down failed, Ali ran to the scene and successfully talked him out of committing suicide.
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The History of Wankan

Posted by on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, In : Video

Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda performing Wankan.

Wankan (Kings Crown) is also known as Ohkan (which means the same thing in Japanese). The history of all the Shotokan kata is hazy at best and this applies doubly for Wankan as not much at all is known about its origins.

In some styles there is another kata practiced that shares the name but has totally different moves to the Wankan of Shotokan, which may suggest that they are both only a portion of a longer, lost original kata. If this is the case, ...
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Kung Fu Footage - 1930s

Posted by on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, In : Video

Footage of kung fu training from the 1930s, a time when the martial arts saw a period
of revived official acceptance in China after years of being outlawed.
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The History of Hangetsu

Posted by on Thursday, October 31, 2013, In : Video

Takayuki Mikami perofming Hangetsu.

Hangetsu (Half Moon) is possibly the oldest kata in the whole art of karate. Formally known as Seishan, it came through the Naha-te school though its origins are unknown. One theory is that the kata was formed from a Chinese folk dance, which aimed to explain to the onlooker the importance of the tides.

The original name, Seishan, means Thirteen which may be in reference to the thirteen day intervals as the moon revolves around the earth. However a more like...
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Kinetograph Boxing Footage - 1894

Posted by on Monday, October 21, 2013, In : Video

An early clip of boxing footage recorded via Kinetograph. Taken in 1894, it shows a
fight between two bpxers named Cushing and Leonard, the latter getting the victory
in the final of six one minute rounds with a knock down.
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Chu Minyi - Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan

Posted by on Friday, October 11, 2013, In : Video

A demonstration of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan by Chu Minyi, disciple of Wu Jianquan, filmed in 1937 in Shanghai. Chu shows the Wu style set, tuishou and his 'modern and scientific' approach to kung fu including his 'stick' and 'ball' training methods.
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The History of Jion

Posted by on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, In : Video

Hirokazu Kanazawa performing Jion

The origins of the kata Jion (Mercy) is highly debated by scholars of world martial arts. It starts with the left hand covering the right fist, kamae that probably has its roots in Chinese boxing. It is thought to have come through the Tomari-te style of Okinawan karate, however according to the legendary Hirokazu Kanazawa (above), the kata originated in the Chinese Buddhist Jion Temple (where the monks were accomplished martial artists) and then spread to the...
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How Not to Fight Mike Tyson

Posted by on Monday, September 2, 2013, In : Video

Mike Tyson winning his first heavyweight title against Trevor Berbick on November 22, 1986. Berbick had been champ
for just eight months before the defeat, in which he demonstrated that going toe-to-toe with ‘Iron Mike’ was a big mistake.
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Judo vs. Brazilian Jujutsu

Posted by on Friday, August 16, 2013, In : Video

A fight between Masahiko Kimura, Judo master and Heloi Gracie, the Brazilian Jujutsu legend from 1951

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Legendary Swordsman Haga Junichi

Posted by on Thursday, August 8, 2013, In : Video

In this video legendary swordsman Haga Junichi is demonstrating kendo from the early Showa period of Japanese history, a period that started in 1926 and ended with the death of the Showa Emperor, Hirohito in 1989. (Note the unarmed wrestling at the end of the film).

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Wudang Light Body

Posted by on Saturday, August 3, 2013, In : Video

A demonstration of Wudang (Wu-tang) Light Body Kung Fu by Master Chen Shixing

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The History of Ji'in

Posted by on Friday, July 19, 2013, In : Video

Hirokazu Kanazawa performing Ji'in

Ji’in (Inverted mercy) is no longer accepted as a kata of the Japanese Karate Association (JKA) and along with Wankan, was not included in the ‘Best Karate’ series by Masatoshi Nakayama, which is widely seen as a definitive guide to Shotokan kata. Despite this, many associations still teach it and many instructors feel the kata has a lot to offer their students.

The origins of Ji’in are obscure though as it shares the same Yoi position as Jion and Jitt...
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Shaolin Iron Body – The Headstand

Posted by on Friday, July 12, 2013, In : Video

A Shaolin monk demonstrating a headstand exercise to strengthen the skull
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The History of Jitte

Posted by on Friday, June 28, 2013, In : Video

Jitte, performed by sensei Imura Takenori with application from Masatoshi Nakayama

Jitte literally means Ten Hands and the name may imply that one must have the strength of ten men, which is how Masatoshi Nakayama interpreted it in his book, Best Karate, Volume 7, (seen by many as a definitive guide to Shotokan kata). An alternative theory is that the name may derive from the raised fists hand position from within the kata, which is said to looks similar to a type of Sai known as a Jitte that ...
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Shaolin Iron Body – Leg Training

Posted by on Sunday, June 2, 2013, In : Video

This video demonstrates a training method used by Shaolin monks to strengthen or condition their legs. Known as Iron Body, by repeatedly hitting parts of their body over a period of years they make it gradually get stronger and stronger.

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Yip Man - Siu Lim Tao

Posted by on Friday, May 24, 2013, In : Video

Grandmaster Yip Man performing Siu Lim Tao, a basic form from Wing Chun.
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Kalarippayattu Stick Fighting

Posted by on Saturday, May 18, 2013, In : Video

This video is a demonstration of stick fighting from Kalarippayattu, an ancient Indian martial art that is said
to be over 3,000 years old and the ‘mother of all martial arts’.
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Nihon Kendo Kata

Posted by on Sunday, May 5, 2013, In : Video

Nihon Kendo Kata, forms 1 to 10.

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Lenny McLean vs Roy Shaw

Posted by on Friday, April 26, 2013, In : Video

Lenny McLean Vs Roy Shaw in their second fight. There is some dispute over who won the first fight they had but there can be no doubt that McLean won the second and third.

Lenny McLean Vs Roy Shawin in their third and final fight

The History of Sochin

Posted by on Sunday, March 24, 2013, In : Video

Sochin (Tranquil Force) may have its origins in martial arts history in Dragon Style Kung Fu and then later come through the Naha-te school in Okinawa, where it was taught by Seisho Arakaki. According to legend, Higaonna Kanryo learned it from him then passed it down to Kenzo Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu.

Mabuni is said to have spent some time instructing Gichin Funakoshi’s son, Yoshitaka in the art of kata and as a result of these instructions, the Shotokan syllabus gained not only S...
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The History of Nijushiho

Posted by on Friday, February 22, 2013, In : Video

Nijushiho being performed by Tetsuhiko Asai (1935 – 2006)

Nijushiho (Twenty-four steps) is of unknown origins though some scholars believe that like Sochin, it originally comes from the Chinese Dragon style of fighting. Others believe the kata was created by the 19th century Okinawan master Seisho Arakaki, who may have also invented Sochin and Unsu.

The Okinawan name, Niseishi, was changed by Gichin Funakoshi however both mean the same thing. Whenever it was created, its development fo...
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The History of Gankaku

Posted by on Monday, January 28, 2013, In : Video

Gankaku, as performed by JKA Chief instructor Masaaka Ueki (1939 – Present)

Gankaku Gankaku (Crane on a Rock) is a very old kata that was originally named Chinto (Fighter/Battle to the East), until it was changed by Gichin Funakoshi. In this case the change was brought about not only to make it more acceptable to the Japanese, but to remove any connotations of war the name might have as a result of Master Funakoshi’s pacifist beliefs. He also made modifications to the kata, changing its...
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The History of Meikyo

Posted by on Friday, December 7, 2012, In : Video

Meikyo (Bright/Polished Mirror) was renamed by Gichin Funakoshi (above) from its original name, Rohai meaning ‘Vision of a Crane’ (though many styles still use the old name). The kata comes from the Tomari-te school where it was a set of three, Rohai Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan.

These kata were probably invented by Sensei Anko Itosu, with the techniques being derived from a much longer version of Rohai which was possibly invented by Kosaku Matsumora, suggested by the fact that it was known...
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Muay Thai Boxing Legends - 1920s Footage

Posted by on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, In : Video

An interesting look at Muay Thai boxing through the eyes of a 1920s Englishman. Siamese boxing (as it was known in the West) had begun to grow in popularity by this time, having first being taken to Europe during the First World War. Note that the fight takes place to music, much like the Brazilian martial art Capoeira.
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The History of Chinte

Posted by on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, In : Video

Chinte (Strange Hands) (performed by Master Masataka Mori above) is a very old kata that probably has its origins in China, though it has been suggested it is actually derived from an Okinawan folk dance. Favoured more by women than men, unlike most Shotokan kata it consists of predominantly circular movements instead of the more common linear ones.

If it did derive from a dance, some suggest that it symbolizes all the things a woman should know about life according to the culture at the ...

The History of the Kanku Kata

Posted by on Thursday, September 20, 2012, In : Video

Kanku (Looking into the sky) Sho (minor) and Dai (major) are advanced kata in the Shotokan syllabus and practiced by many styles including those of Japanese, Okinawa and Korean karate. Kanku Sho (Performed above by Takayuki Mikami) is the younger of the two Kanku kata and was probably developed from kanku Dai and handed down as a part of Master Anko Itosu’s teachings.

It contains moves that are typical of Itosu kata, such as double punches and moves that are designed to control and or ...
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The History of the Gojushiho Kata

Posted by on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, In : Video

Gojushiho (54 steps) is a set of two kata (sho/minor and dai/major) that both have their origin in a single kata from the Shorin-ryu style which was called Useishi (meaning 54). In a strange quirk of martial arts history, the kata known as Gojushiho Sho was previously known as Gojushiho Dai and vice-versa, but they got reversed.

Legend has it that in the 1960s or the 1970s during the All Japan Karate Championships, a high ranking karateka of the JKA announced Gojushiho Dai then did the wrong k...

The History of Unsu

Posted by on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, In : Video

Unsu (Hands in the Clouds) is a high level kata and one of the oldest practiced within Shotokan karate. Its exact origins are unknown but it is believed to be of Chinese origins, and of the Dragon Style of Kung Fu. According to Masatoshi Nakayama, anyone who tries to master Unsu before first mastering the Heian kata, Kanku-Dai, Empi and Jion will look like “a scarecrow trying to dance".

Symbolism is a recurring theme in the history of the martial arts and it has been suggested that the mo...

Showing category "Video" (Show all posts)

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