Martial Arts

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Martial arts origins, lineage, intermingling, influences, and cultural contexts.

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18 views

Was Gozo Shioda influenced by Kimura & Oyama?

I ask because my understanding is that Shioda's Yoshinkan school of Aikido was considered controversial in that it recognized the brutality of combat, when one is fighting for one's life, and ...
8
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1answer
153 views

What sort of throws are illegal in Muay Thai and why?

I started to watch Muay Thai recently, and something I can't really wrap my head around is exactly what throws are illegal. Muay Thai abstains from many throws and takedowns you'd find in grappling ...
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95 views

Why are Judo's Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin Taiiku exercises seldomly practiced?

In Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), chapter 19 Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin Taiiku contains a catalogue of individual striking exercises called Tandoku Renshu and partner exercises called ...
5
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1answer
75 views

Why is judo's Katame-no-Kata so free-form relative to Nage-no-Kata?

The first two kata taught in judo are Nage no Kata (throwing forms) and Katame no Kata (grappling forms). Here is also a second Katame no Kata video with different escapes for the first pin kuzure ...
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1answer
333 views

Was Bujinkan Ninjutsu practiced by ninjas in feudal Japan?

I have been quite a fan of Bujinkan Ninjutsu for a while now and in fact, been researching quite a lot about Ninjutsu and its history. Unfortunately, as I started researching more into Ninjutsu, I ...
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55 views

Origin of the triangle choke?

The triangle choke as used in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has its origins in early 20th century Judo: この技法は大正十一年の高専柔道大会で六高柔道部生徒達によって初めて繰り出され、それ以降... この技は岡山六高の柔道教師であった故金光弥一兵衛九段（起倒流）と同校の選手であった早川勝（後、八段）...
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2answers
161 views

When was throwing introduced to martial arts?

Throws seem mysterious to me. Just the idea of being able to move your body in such a way that you are able to physically pick someone up without your hands and land them on their back seems like a "...
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1answer
162 views

What martial arts are part of Kuk Sool Won?

I started taking Kuk Sool Won a few weeks ago. Kuk Sool Won is a Korean martial art that is basically a collection of older, traditional Korean martial arts. I found out about it because it is the art ...
2
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1answer
201 views

Etymology of Tsubame-gaeshi?

Why is tsubame-gaeshi ("swallow reversal") thus named? Wouldn't it have been more natural to name it deashi-gaeshi in line with the other kaeshi counter-throws?* * Osoto-gaeshi, ouchi-gaeshi, uchi-...
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1answer
178 views

What is “Tengu-nage”?

Famous judoka Yokoyama Sakujirō was known by the nickname Tengu, and his tokui-waza was hence named tengu-nage: Yokoyama's specialty was tengu-nage ("mountain-devil throw"), said to be nearly on a ...
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1answer
51 views

Etymology of Yama-Arashi?

Most1 Kodokan judo techniques are named in a somewhat systematised way, describing the major visual/mechanical components of the technique (e.g. koshi-guruma "hip wheel", o-soto-gari "major outer reap"...
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1answer
55 views

How has Kodokan technique classification changed over the years?

Over the years several new techniques have been added to the Kodokan judo syllabus, and some variants of existing techniques have since gained their own official names. How has technique ...
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1answer
170 views

Judo techniques with their origin in BJJ?

Are there any techniques developed independently in BJJ since it branched off from judo which have hence been incorporated into Judo to success? E.g. a novel type of armlock/strangle/pin, a non-...
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2answers
96 views

Did Jigoro Kano invent the concept of Kuzushi in judo?

It is oft claimed that one of the distinguishing points between Kano's Judo and the schools of Jujutsu that came before was that he introduced the concept of kuzushi ("balance breaking") ...
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111 views

Is there a legitimate fighting technique using dual sword on horse?

My question comes from this video(link provided below). I am not convinced that the person in the video who used dual swords on a horse to cut some tatami was faking it or not, but I ask anyway ...
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199 views

Is there a martial arts manuscript/record or technique using a glaive while on horseback?

As the title states, I want to know if there is a martial arts technique with a manuscript record (preferably in English with an image or a video explanation) that uses a glaive type sword while on ...
7
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1answer
231 views

What did Judo change/innovate when it branched from Jujutsu?

What did Judo change/innovate from Jujutsu? I understand that Kano, the inventor of Judo, borrowed from Jujutsu, and his style was originally called Kano Jujutsu. And I understand that he removed ...
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2answers
173 views

What is the purpose of Baguazhang deerhorn knife having some of its blade protruding/pointing inside?

Won’t it hit/stab the wielder if knocked/pushed in? i know potentially it can be a handguard/armguard protection but so far as i see, most of this also sharpened or very pointy. (correct me if iam ...
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109 views

Does “do” v. “jutsu” naming reflect Daoist influence?

I have read about the naming changes in Japanese martial arts, with a shift from jutsu (術) to do (道) reflecting a supposed shift in emphasis from fighting techniques to a quest for mental and physical ...
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2answers
427 views

What is kubi-nage?

I have occasionally seen a throw called kubi-nage ("neck throw") referenced in Judo. This isn't a Kodokan-recognised name, but the throws I have seen described as it appear to be very similar to koshi-...
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2answers
137 views

Did Jujutsu invent the Heimlich Manoeuvre? If so, when?

I have seen a couple of texts referring to what appears to be the Heimlich Manoeuvre among the methods of resuscitation* taught in some schools of jujutsu (and consequently, judo). What is surprising ...
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1answer
220 views

How has BJJ innovated since diverging from Judo?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its roots in early 20th century Judo, but has developed independently as a distinct martial art focused on groundwork in the century since then. It maintains a number of ...
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2answers
172 views

What style(s) of Jujitsu did Jigoro Kano study?

I have read that in Japan there was a general system called jujitsu. However there were hundreds of branches of jujitsu. Most samurai were trained in different branches of jujitsu. Basically any ...
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2answers
213 views

Are there any still surviving schools of Jujutsu?

I've trained at a couple of "traditional Jujutsu" clubs, but as far as I can tell their syllabuses seem to have been inspired by early 20th century judo, perhaps with a bit of aikido thrown in. Are ...
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2answers
265 views

Is the Biceps Slicer a legal technique in judo?

There are a number of compression locks in grappling, which function with tori placing a limb (acting as a fulcrum) in the crook of one of uke's joints, and applying pressure to flex the joint over ...
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254 views

Origin of kata-guruma?

Question In an interview with Torahei Ochiai in the 1920's, Jigoro Kano states that he adopted kata-guruma from wrestling's fireman's carry.1 However, the Kodokan Judo Throwing Techniques book posits ...
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2answers
600 views

Why are punches to the head prohibited in some Eastern striking martial arts?

Some eastern martial arts (such as karate, taekwondo) prohibit straight boxing-style strikes/punches to the head in their sports rules: A punch that makes strong contact with the opponent's hogu ...
5
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1answer
270 views

Why were leg-locks removed from Judo?

Early judo contained (in addition to strangles and arm-locks) various types of leg-lock. At some point in the early 20th century all leg-locks were banned in both randori and competition, and removed ...
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2answers
229 views

Under which Chinese teacher did Tang Soo Do's founder (Hwang Kee) study?

Wikipedia mentions the name as Yang Kuk Jin. I assume that this is some member of the Yang-style taichi. The best family tree I've been able to find for that is here: But I don't see any cognates of ...
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0answers
191 views

Origin of kawazu-gake?

There have been multiple proposed etymologies for the judo throw kawazu-gake (河津掛): Named after a famed sumo wrestler, Kawazu Saburo Sukeyasu Named after "frog" (蛙 old japanese kawazu, modern ...
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2answers
210 views

Source: Hélio Gracie being offered a Kodokan Belt and refusing?

I remember reading somewhere that, way down the line, the Kodokan offered Hélio Gracie a high dan ranking, and to absorb what had become BJJ back into the world of Judo. Hélio refused, presumably ...
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4answers
858 views

What is traditionally written on a judo belt?

I recently passed a Dan exam and would like to get rid of my old, cheap belt. I would like to buy a higher grade belt and have some inscriptions on it. I plan to take a Kusakura obi with the Kodokan ...
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2answers
289 views

Philosphy and history of Okinawan Karate

I've recently started stufdying Goju Ryu. I have some training and a black belt in a few other styles. One of the things that I miss with some masters here is their lack of historical and ...
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2answers
157 views

Is “Jogo do Pau” the only historic European martial art kept alive until today?

Recently I was at a "Jogo do Pau" demonstration, and during the introduction it was said to be the only historic European martial art that kept being practiced until the present day. It was at risk ...
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6answers
922 views

Is modern martial arts effectiveness intentionally reduced?

Reading the "Taekwondo Grappling Techniques" book (Dr. Tony Kemerly and Steve Snyder, Tuttle Publishing, 2009), the first chapter provides an interesting overview of Taekwondo history, and the ...
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1answer
229 views

ITF Taekwondo Patterns Information- Yul Gok & Toi Gye

I study ITF Taekwondo, and our patterns are named for significant people, places, groups, or events in Korean history. I was trying to learn more about the Neo-Confucian beliefs of Yi-Hwang ( Toi Gye)...
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2answers
229 views

Did Ueshiba successfully explain his aikido knowledge to his students?

Original Question This is an excerpt of an interview with Takako Kunigoshi, a direct student of Ueshiba, in THelper's answer to Who were the first female aikidoka?. Editor: During Ueshiba Sensei’s ...
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1answer
109 views

Did Samurai armour have flexible joints?

What type of armour was common for samurai? I would like to know if the armour had flexible joints versus totally flexible joints. I suppose the flexible joint armour came afterwards. To me some ...
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0answers
361 views

Accuracy and historical veracity of goshi-no-kata knife attack: Yakuza link?

In the Shodokan Aikido goshin-no-kata, there is a technique (the 24th one) where uke's steps with the tanto in both hands and draws it. Tori grabs uke's left hand and executes a tenkai-kote-hineri. ...
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3answers
672 views

Why should “Oss” be used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Disclaimer: this is a potentially subjective question, so I'm looking for answers to "why" with references. What is your experience and historical understanding of the use of the word? I've moved to ...
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2answers
292 views

Who said there are 3 paths of judo and where can I find the quote

Someone has said there are 3 paths (or types of practitioner) of judo. It goes something like this, but I might remember the details a bit wrong: One is a competitor, advances quickly in rank, but ...
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2answers
469 views

What's the name of this sweep and where did it originate?

Here is a description of the sweep: Attacker is in a sitting position, holding the opponent in guard, possibly, but not necessarily controlling the opponent's hands and preventing the opponent from ...
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1answer
3k views

Why was `Rumble in the Jungle` held in Zaire?

The Rumble in the Jungle was a historic boxing event in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) on October 30, 1974wikipedia Kinshasa is in Africa, which is far away from USA. It was ...
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1answer
420 views

Historical esgrimas de navaja technical manuals

The Navaja is a Spanish knife, which started as a tool (like most knives) and ended up being used for fighting. During Napoleonic times, it was banned by the French, to quote wikipedia: The navaja de ...
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1answer
190 views

Glima and Greco-Roman wrestling cross pollination

Glima is a wresting Scandinavian martial art dating back to Viking times. Greco-Roman wrestling should be well known. Vikings were known to associate with the Roman Empire -- see the Varangians. Is ...
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2answers
475 views

Explanation of the goshin-ho kata…

The goshin-ho is a set of 50 self defence techniques that are part of the curriculum for 四段 (4th dan), 五段 (5th dan), and 六段 (6th dan). The start can be seen here and the middle here… I am looking for ...
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3answers
289 views

Origins of the ura-waza

The ura-waza (as shown in this video) is a set of ten counters to the basic seventeen techniques of Shodokan Aikido. Those are shown in the first part of the video. While I know the technical details ...
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2answers
2k views

Does Kung-Fu come from Kalaripayattu?

I read some online texts that say Kung-Fu is originated from Kalaripayattu. Is there any truth to this claim? The Shaolin temple itself was founded by an Indian Dhyana master Buddhabhadra. On one ...
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1answer
328 views

Historical “speed” archery

There are a lot of speed archery videos, for example this one. Most of them appear to be modern people working out how it could have been done. Is there any historical archery manual or/and specific ...
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2answers
2k views

What are the physical requirements for Sumo wrestlers? No exposing six-packs?

Having seen many pictures of Sumo wrestlers on the web, I have not found ones who expose their six-packs or ones who have appearance as follows. Most of them look like the following. Questions ...

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