Martial arts research library

[bushido_man96]

Bunkai-Jutsu; The Practical Application of Karate Kata

Iain Abernethy

This book discusses Iain Abernethy's approach to his Applied Karate. This book discusses the history and use of the katas used by the old masters as complete fighting systems, and also leads into how kata is practiced and looked at today, and why. This book basically gives a layout for the interested students to research into their katas to find the applications in them. He discusses the roles of striking, gripping, throwing, locking, choking and grappling, and how each of these are approached in the kata based applications of bunkai. He discusses training options for honing each of the skills he lists, and gives examples of what to look for in the forms. He also covers the roles that stances and 'blocks' play in the combat applications of the katas.

Of significant importance in his book, he discusses the rules of bunkai, pertaining to the ideas needed in order to train the bunkai properly, as it relates to self-defense. From here, he leads into the nature of real fights. Between these two chaptes, you can see how closey practical kata practice relates to the nature of fighting.

If you are wanting to look deeper into the katas that you practice, then I feel that this book can benefit you greatly, regardless of the style you practice. Abernethy takes a refreshing, no-nonsense approach to self-defense training, and shows you how to dig out what the masters saw and originally used from the katas. Highly recommended.

Throws for Strikers; The Forgotten Throws of Karate, Boxing & Taekwondo

Iain Abernethy

This book details 11 different throws, many of which used to be common to the self-defense systems that are listed in the title, and which are still common in the throwing/grappling styles of today. He begins with theory and practice for these throws, and how they pertain to the various styles of striking arts, and how they can be incorporated into training. He then details the 11 throws, and afterwards, spends time on a section titled "When it all goes wrong," after a throw has caused you to go to the ground, or you are on the ground, looking up at your opponent. The book ends with an appendix that details where some of the throws show up in some of the katas.

I enjoyed both of these titles, and learned a lot from them. Seeing Abernethy's approach toward kata training has opened my eyes to the value of it even more, along with how extensive it can become. Both are must reads on my list.

[Patrick]

Hello,

We removed a post from this thread in error. It is below. I apologize for the confusion.

Thanks,

Patrick

yay!!

[bushido_man96]

Karate's Grappling Methods

Iain Abernethy

Karate’s Grappling Methods is a focus on the standing and ground grappling aspects of Karate.

Chapter 1 focuses on the key points that should be focused on studying kata applications, such as:

Applications designed to end a confrontation on the spot.

All parts of a movement are significant.

Angles at which techniques are performed. Etc…

Chapter 2 discusses the role of grappling in self-defense, as Iain Abernethy sees it, along with his philosophy on defending oneself in general.

The remainder of the chapters break down like this:

Chapter 3: close range strikes, covering kicks, knees, elbows, and arcing hand strikes like the hook and uppercut punches.

Chapter 4: throws and takedowns.

Chapter 5: chokes and strangles.

Chapter 6: arm bars.

Chapter 7: leg and ankle locks.

Chapter 8: neck wrenches.

Chapter 9: wrist locks.

Chapter 10: finger locks.

Chapter 11: ground fighting skills, including positions such as the mount, scarf hold, side four quarter hold, upper four quarter hold, guard, and use of the hooks. It is important to note here that Abernethy states that no ground fighting holds appear in the katas, but acquiring this knowledge is important in learning how to apply the katas’ methods while fighting on the ground.

Chapter 12: dirty fighting, including the tactics of seizing the testicles, grabbing the hair, eye gouging, biting, fish-hooking, nose attacks, grabbing the ears, seizing the throat, finger choke, and nerve manipulation.

Chapter 13: “Putting it all together.” This chapter focuses on combinations of grappling moves, both standing and on the ground. The bulk of the chapter is made up of sequences of combinations to use as examples for training both standing grappling, ground grappling, and a combination of both.

Chapter 14: sparring, covering various types of sparring to focus on different aspects of fighting, especially using grappling. Some are more restricted, and some are not so limiting. They different types range from using no strikes, to strikes and grappling, or picking one fighter to only strike, while one can only grapple standing up, and so on. There are many possibilities to use, depending on what you want the focus to be.

Chapter 15: conclusion.

It is important to note that in the introduction to each chapter, Abernethy discusses the pros and cons to each of the tactics discussed, along with the difficulty that can come from attempting some of the various close-quarters fighting techniques in regards to the opponent’s ability to counter the efforts.

This is the 3rd book that I have read by Iain Abernethy, and I have enjoyed them all, bringing something different from each of them. He offers a unique aspect on the use of forms training alongside the sparring aspects of Karate, and his ideas can transfer to other Martial Art styles as well.

Edited September 10, 2008 by bushido_man96

[bushido_man96]

Tae Kwon Do The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World’s Most Popular Martial Art

Yeon Hee Park, Yeon Hwan Park, Jon Gerrard

This reference guide is endorsed by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, and covers the material that a colored belt practitioner of the organization would need to know, aside from the Pal Gwae forms. The book is pretty well written, and easy to follow.

It opens with the typical chapter on the history of TKD. It gives a history of “modern” TKD, in regards to its influence by Japanese and Chinese styles, along with the evolution and specialization of the kicking skills, giving the art its own unique flavor. After this brief explanation, the section gets into the more typical history of TKD, the ancient history, dating back to 50 B.C. and its relations with Taek Kyon and the Hwarang, referring to Taek Kyon as the “earliest form of TKD.” Pretty much the typical explanation of what many would consider an “engineered” history of an art that is less than 100 years old.

Aside from this little excursion in the history of TKD, it then gets into some history on the Kwans, which seems to be fairly accurate for the most part. However, the authors do claim that the first Kwan to open, the Chung Do Kwan, was the first to teach a “native Korean Martial Art.” I don’t believe this to be entirely accurate, as most of the instructors that opened the Kwans had achieved rank in either Japanese styles, Chinese styles, or both. The authors also claim that Taek Kyon was taught to the military in Korea at this time, but there are no mention of names of these masters that would have taught it.

The rest of the history up through the development of the WTF is accurate, as one would expect it to be. The meeting in 1955 to unify the Kwans under one name is mentioned, but the name chosen is listed as Tae Soo Do; I was under the impression that TKD was decided on for the name at this time. The authors put the date that it was changed to TKD as two years later. Although the Oh Do Kwan does get a mention in the section on the Kwans, there is no mention of General Choi, Hong Hi anywhere.

Following the history section is a section on basic warming up exercises, including calisthenics and stretching in one and two person drills.

Next comes basic techniques and stances, including blocks, strikes, and kicks. Some of the kicks are a bit advanced for a beginner, but they would follow in some of the higher colored belt ranks. No one, two, or three-step sparring is demonstrated, and although stances are covered, moving and walking in the stances (advancing or retreating) is not shown.

The forms section follows. This section gives an introduction on some of the philosophy behind the Tae Geuk forms. Following the introduction are pictorial and diagrammed layouts of each of the 8 Tae Geuk poomsae, with descriptions of which way to go, in what stance, and the technique, along with arrows on the diagrams to depict the direction. This is a pretty good section, as the forms are laid out in an easy to understand format.

Sparring is covered next. There is an introduction on the rules and use of protective equipment, combined with level of contact. Then it leads into basic movement drills and partner sparring drills, covering footwork, kick and block drills, and kicking and movement drills. Attacking combinations and defensive counter techniques finish out this section. This section does a good job of covering the sparring basics behind the WTF/Olympic style sparring rules.

We now move into the section practical applications. This section shows different scenarios of being grabbed and attacked, countering with the typical types of Hapkido style, Ho Sin Sul based joint manipulation/punching and striking attacks. Scenarios include single and multiple assailant attacks.

Board breaking is then covered, describing and demonstrating breaking techniques using several of the basic techniques described in that section. Proper board holding is also discussed.

The philosophy section focuses on the manner in which the TKD practitioner should carry himself. Focus is on spiritual development, with harmony between oneself and nature; the “Do” of TKD. The core of the philosophy is the concept of duality in nature, and seeking to bring the student’s level of consciousness to “Present Time.” This occurs when the student is in tune with himself and nature to the point that his actions/reactions are coordinated with nature. Rules of etiquette and follow for home, school, and public.

Several appendices follow:

Appendix A: Rules of competition overview, with photos of referee signals and legal attacks. This section is pretty easy to follow.

Appendix B: Belt system and weight classes discussed.

Appendix C: TKD terminology.

Appendix D: List of sanctioned WTF competitions.

Appendix E: List of sanctioned WTF national TKD organizations.

Appendix F: WTF contact information.

Glossary and Index follow.

Overall, I would say that this is a pretty good manual for the WTF colored belt student.

[sensei8]

Nice book to add to any library concerning the Martial Arts.

Lessons With The Master: 279 Shotokan Karate Lessons With Master Hirokazu Kanazawa by Paul A. Walker

Here's a link...

http://www.lessonswiththemaster.com/

Edited July 15, 2010 by sensei8

[bushido_man96]

On Killing

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/On-Killing/Dave-Grossman/e/9780316330114/?itm=9

Don't be fooled by the title of this book. It won't turn you into a bad mama jama, and it doesn't read like an action movie.

This book is the study of killing on the human psyche, and Grossman has done a ton of research and interviews to find out how actually killing in war has affected the warriors that have come home to with these stories in their hearts.

This book goes into the differences in war during the Revolution, and warfare today, and how killing in combat today has a higher rate of success than it did 100 years ago.

This book is quite extensive, and I can in no way give a review that can do the title justice (mainly because I just ain't that good at it...). However, for everyone out there that has made comments in relation to taking a life in self-defense, or saying something like "if its him or me, its going to be me, and I'd kill if I had too..." should seriously look into reading this book. It is quite the eye opener.

In my view, this title is required reading for all Martial Artists.

[bushido_man96]

Dynamic Aikido

By Gozo Shioda

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Dynamic-Aikido-Bushido-Way-Warrior/dp/0870113011/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236803697&sr=1-1

Shioda wrote this book as an introductory text for use by beginners, and uses the techniques of the Tokyo Yoshinkan. As an introductory text, I think it fits the bill.

There is a history section that delves back into Aikijutsu from the “Daito Mansion,” and up through Morihei Ueshiba, and to Shioda as well.

Next is a section on the nature of Aikido, with the use of its circular motion, and it discusses the harmony of Aikido with mind and body, and with the harmony of the Aikidoka and nature. Principles on motion, speed, timing, concentration of power, and moving the center are discussed.

The chapter on Posture and Movement details stances and basic, underlying movement principles that are essential to the techniques of Aikido, like changing position, “elbow power”, and fixing movement. Shikko (knee walking), seiza (formal sitting on the knees), and breakfalls are also covered.

The Basic Techniques section covers variations of Shio-Nage (four-directions throw), Ikkajo Osae (1st teaching), Nikajo Osae (2nd teaching), Sankajo Osae (3rd teaching), Yonkajo Osae (4th teaching), Sokumen-Irimi-Nage (side approach body throw), Shomen-Irimi-Nage (front approach body throw), Hiji-Jime (elbow lock), Kokyu-Ho (breathing method), Tenchi-Nage (Heaven and earth throw), and Kote-Gaeshi (outward wrist twist). Most are shown in several variations, including standing and kneeling positions. The pictures and arrows, along with the descriptions, provide an excellent guide for the beginner to use when working with the techniques. Showing variations of all but a few of the techniques makes it easy to pick the basic technique a beginner may be focusing on, and allow him to work on it. A “Practical Applications” section finishes out the book.

As a beginner in Aikido myself (at the time of this writing), I feel that this small manual is a well-written and well-illustrated guide. The approach is simple and effective, in my opinion, and although it can’t replace an instructor, it makes a good home study guide for a beginner, and I’m sure it still holds value for the advanced Aikidoka, too.

[bushido_man96]

A Killing Art The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do

By Alex Gillis

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Art-Untold-History-Kwon/dp/1550228250/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236803755&sr=1-1

My hat is off to Alex Gillis and the magnificent work he has done in putting this book together.

In an effort to understand what TKD rose out of, Gillis sought interviews with many of the movers and shakers of early TKD; men like General Choi, Hong-Hi himself, Nam Tae-Hi, Jhoon Rhee, Min-Hi Rhee, Tae Eun Lee (WTF), Jung-Hwa Choi, the General’s son, as well as the General’s daughters, Hee Jin Choi (WTF), and many others, including various personal assistants to General Choi over the years. Gillis himself is a practitioner of both ITF and WTF TKD, so he has knowledge of both sides of the story. I also feel that he presents the information in a very neutral tone.

Along with much research, he has opened up the world that TKD grew out of; from Korea’s independence from Japan and its roots in Karate, to the “invention” of its roots in Taek Kyon and the “connection” to the Hwarang warriors, to its use in the politics of a fledging country.

Gillis tells of several accounts of TKD masters involved in covert government operations, with TKD in the midst of it. The link between TKD and the Korean CIA is discussed as well. He also talks about Choi and Kim Un-Yong quite a bit, and the rivalry of the ITF and WTF, and Kim’s drive to the Olympics, as well as Kim’s rise and fall through the ranks of the IOC. Gillis also talks of Choi’s constant suspicions and mistrust, and how he drove away many of his masters, and his eventual rise to prominence in North Korea.

With stories that sound so cloack-and-dagger as to resemble a Robert Ludlum novel, the book constantly engages the reader in the chapters of TKD’s history.

I cannot possibly do justice in completely highlighting the information in this book, so I won’t continue to ramble much longer. Now, thanks to the work that Gillis has done, TKD practitioners have a reference source of where the art truly comes from, without the noticeable ITF or WTF slants of other publications. We can finally see the true history of TKD, and hopefully gone now are the exaggerated claims of “5000 year histories” of future TKD texts.

In my opinion, this book should be required reading for ALL TKD practitioners.

[Kuma]

Martial Mechanics by Phillip Starr.

[Patrick]

Great contributions here, Brian.