Advanced Training with the Hambo: Grappling with the Weapon
Dr. William Durbin
When it comes to bludgeon type weapons that are actually handy for self defense, there is none better than the Hambo, or half stick. Known actually by many different names, this weapon is one of the best all around, practical items of self defense. Some styles refer to it as the Tambo, short stick, and among police officers that train in Japanese law enforcement tactics it is known as the Keibo, simply, police stick.
The reason this weapon is so practical is that the techniques practiced with a stick ranging from one foot to three feet, according to which style you train in, can be applied to many everyday items, such as, a ruler, an umbrella, a rolled up newspaper or magazine, small gardening tools, hammers, and many more.
Striking
Primarily, weapons such as this have one main emphasis, the striking of an opponent. In too many situations people try to go into advanced grappling skills without realizing that if a person is not stunned or disabled before hand, they will be able to fight a grappling attempt off fairly easily. It takes a lot of precision to enter into a grappling technique, without having first loosened up the opponent with some type of strike.
Even when one has mastered such grappling skills, it is still best to weaken an opponent first with strikes, but they can be directed at the limbs, rather than the body. However, if there is any question as to whether or not a person can be handled, then strikes to actual vital points should precede any grappling attempt.
One other point that needs to be definitely emphasized is that grappling techniques with the Hambo should not even be attempted in a multiple attack situation. Rather the person should practice avoidance techniques and seek to deliver strikes to vital points on each person that comes in range. To attempt a grappling technique, when another person could move in on you while you are engaged with another, is suicide.
Chushin--The Extreme Need for the Middle Mind
Bob Pruitt
I’ve been quite struck as of late by the absence of the middle mind in the world today. The middle mind, or chushin, is of great importance in martial arts practice; chushin teaches the martial artist the importance of avoiding extreme reactions and imbalanced thoughts. It also teaches the impartial consideration of all information when assessing a situation or making a choice. While any number of examples could be used to lament the ubiquitous extremism of our day, let us narrow our consideration to the martial arts world. For example, there are martial artists who practice only for health. In fact, the art of taichichuan, an ancient and effective martial art, is now touted almost solely as a method of exercise. On the other end of the spectrum, there are martial sports—those arts practiced only for competition and contest with little or no regard to health or personal development. The middle ground, which would be populated by those practitioners who train for health and self defense, is rather difficult to find in the current martial arts climate. As this type of narrow training is becoming the standard of the modern age, let us consider the specific ramifications of this splintered view of the martial arts.
Competition
Bob Pruitt
Perhaps no other idea is so ingrained in the United States psyche as that of competition. For a long, long time it has been the driving force in economics, politics, classrooms and playgrounds across the nation. The essential notion is that if all relevant factors are left free to exert their power over situations, competition will foster and generate the best possible product, whether that product be an impressive toaster, a brilliant schoolchild, or a fair and egalitarian political system.
Motobu Palace Tradition
Dr. William Durbin
One of the most influential martial artist of the twentieth century was Choki Motobu. Yet unfortunately many people do not recognize that name, or if they do they have a warped image of the great Okinawan Kempo Karate master. Choki Motobu came from an aristocratic family and this is what hurt the man’s image for many people. What is little known is that Motobu inherited a vast and rich martial tradition which goes far beyond what is thought of as typical Karate.
Nicho Tanbo: Okinawan Weapons Excellent for Self Defense
Dr. William Durbin
There is a legend that goes back many centuries, which tell stories of the Sohei and their incredible capabilities. It is said that some of the Ninja used mechanical devises to reproduce the actual abilities that the warrior monks could do naturally. In example, some of the devises that the Ninja used for climbing trees, castle walls, or mountains, the simply duplicated what the Sohei could do with their bare hands and feet.
Ninjutsu: A Different Perspective
Dr. William Durbin
The terms Ninjutsu and Ninja are very well known all over the world, yet in the 1960s very few people outside of Japan, and the special forces of England, had ever heard the words. The special forces in England were reportedly the first non-Japanese t o use Ninjutsu in training their men for espionage missions, whether it be true or not is a matter of conjecture.
Koshi Nage-The Hip Throw of Ancient Jujutsu
Dr. William Durbin
Many people do not understand much about the ancient styles of Jujutsu. What many people do not realize is that much of what we think of today as Jujutsu is greatly influenced by the great master and founder of Kodokan Judo, Jigoro Kano. In ancient times, martial arts systems were not nearly as organized or set in a definitive curriculum as we see now. This was one of the greatest contributions which Jigoro Kano actually made to modern martial arts.
Aiki Principle of the Old System: Kito Ryu
Dr. William Durbin
One of the greatest martial arts systems of the past generation is also one of the most influential styles that has had far reaching effect into modern times. Kito Ryu was founded, according to most sources, in the last years of the Sengoku Jidai, just prior to the Tokugawa Era. There are many different founders given to the art, among them being Ibaragi Sensai, Shichiroemon Fukuno, and Sadayashi Hirosaemon Terada. It is believed that Ibaragi Sensai actually founded the Ryu and passed it on to Fukuno. Then Fukuno is believed to have founded his own Ryu named after him, and also known as the Ryoi Shinto Ryu. Fukuno based his teachings on the Ji-bugei, temple martial arts. Eventually he passed the systems onto the Terada family, who kept them alive and passed them on so that they are still taught today.
Kicking Okinawan Style
Dr. William Durbin
When Karate was first introduced to the movies, at first it was the smashing ability of the art that caught the interest of the directors, many times leading them to having scenes where the Karateka smashed furniture in the process of fighting an opponent. Who can forget the scene of Bruce Lee smashing the furniture in the movie Marlowe.
Page 1 of 1 pages