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The Martial Arts
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This thread is designed to provide information on the various Martial Arts. Page 1 begins with a list of useful web links and the guidelines for posting in this sticky.

Page 2 has a list of in thread links for different martial arts and subjects. For the purposes of this thread, we would like to keep images at 500x500 or less, to avoid stretching the screen, however, if the image is very good, up to 600x600 images will be permissable.

If Captain or Crew have Additional Information on a Particular Martial art form, such as "Kempo Karate", they may edit an existing post on that subject, however, we do ask that you do NOT delete someone else's statements, and whenever you edit a post, please use an italicized 9 point font notation in parenthesis at the bottom of the post with your name and date edited...

(01/16/05, like so - Noire)

If you have a typo, Crew are permitted to remove it. If you curse, the word will be changed to "expletive" without Warning.


About Martial Art Styles
The notion of this thread is NOT to have one post cover all that is "kungfu", or "Karate", but to instead cover ideas such as "Mantis Style Kung Fu" or "Shotokan" styles.
The Posts on page one will be reserved as individual indexes for different groups, such as "Kung Fu/Wushu styles", "Taijutsu Styles", "Budo Styles", "European Styles" and so on.

Some examples of European styles include:
Pankration
Savate
Fencing

I'm offering a 100 gold peice reward to anyone who can provide useful information and commentary on styles from India, Africa, and Australia.
Currently we are looking for info primarily on India.

In the Future we will want to dig into the Malaysian/Islander Styles.

WebLinks

• Aikibujutsu
  
• Storming Media: MCMAP
  
• Martial Arts Info.com (large site)
  
• SivaSakti.COM (large site)
  
• World Martial Arts Community (large site)
  
• Northern Style Shaolin
  
• Pressure Points
  
• Acupuncture
  

ImageLinks

• Pressure Points (large image)
  
• Acupuncture for the Ear
  

bump for india

Japan

Kendo (Kin-dough), which literaly translates from Japanese as "the Way of the Sword" (Ken=Sword Do=Way), is the Japanese art/sport of fencing. As opposed to the use of a live blade or a blunted foil as used in the European fencing styles (sabre, foil, epee) Kendo employes a practice sword called a shinai which is a bundle of blunt, lightweight and flexible strips of bamboo. Combined with the use of protective armor (bogu) during practice the shinai ensures that Kendo sparring has a low incidence of injury. Kendo is steeped in Japanese tradition as 7 out of the 8 million people who practice Kendo worldwide are in Japan. Visitors to a Kendo training hall will immediately note that the traditional Japanese garments of the hakama (skirt-like trousers that look like a dress, and everyone loves aparently) and gi (heavy weight jacket/shirt) are worn and much of the terminology used in Kendo is of a Japanese nature (After all, it is easier to just say 'jodan' than to refer to it as 'the over head, en garde, one foot forward position'). Also etiquette is [extremely] important Kendo and is frequently demonstrated in Kendo practice through a variety of bows that are performed upon entry/exit of training hall and before/after matches. Through the disciplined observance of Kendo etiquette the most imoportant thing that Kendo practioners take away with them after practice is the sense of mutual respect for others (After all, without courtesy Kendo would basically just be a couple of people wailing on each other with sticks and we wouldn't want that would we?). Practice often consist of a large range of exercises starting with simple swings, breathing, posture and grip exercises that can simply be practiced with the shinai alone to the more elaborate 'kirikaeshi' which involves two armored practioners going over a prescribed series of manuevers in rapid succession. The sport of Kendo is performed on hardwood floors (like a basketball court), on which competitors formally wear hakama and armor (but no shoes) and attempt to score the first 2 of 3 points by striking one of the 8 point area of the body which are the 'men' (left, right and center of the head piece), 'kote' (right, left wrist), 'tsuki' (throat, also protected by armor) and 'doh' (right and left chest). Scoring a point is not as easy as it may sound and is often a difficult decision for the three judges who must see to it points are given only for strikes with proper form. This proper form which is often referred to as "ki-tai-ken-ichi" (body, spirit, and sword as one) is a major focus in Kendo practice.

Kyudo (K'you-dough) is the art of Japanese archery. It began as a military art, but in the 1500's firearms superseded it. However the Samurai continued practicing this art because of the values that were inherent in the art. Competition is not the goal of Kyudo (as with some other martial arts). Kyudo is more than just drawing the bow and it is definately not about hitting the target. "Kyudo's highest goal is expressed phrase 'Shin Zen Bi', or 'Truth, Goodness, Beauty'. Shin, or truth, means absence of deception. If you learn to accept the truth about yourself and overcome your shortcomings in both technique and spirit, you will eventually come to understand Zen, or goodness. Since accepting the truths about yourself and working to overcome them leads to the development of a natural humility and a good wholesome character. Shin and Zen are then reflected in both a practitioner's shooting and personal life and become the expression of Bi, or beauty." Kyudo is steeped in Japanese culture and emphasizes slow graceful movements. Because of these attributes its practitioners tend to be well educated and more mature rather than adolescent.

(01/22/05-Koji)
(01/27/05-Koji)

bump for North America

bump for the African and Carribean Islanders

Capoeira Guild

Bump for the Middle Eastern Masters

Israel, Persia, Arabia...

Dervishes, Krav Maga, and so on...

take? currently, none. I know nothing. Nothing at all. I am just an ordinary man, like any other.

oh well, lets begin... Homework is a joyous thing, as long as the subject doesn't suck.

Extra Credit Assignments -01/22/05
Present your materials in this Thread.
(I will donate 100 gold to the guild and 100 gold to the person who completes the assignment)

Research project 1: Shaolin Gung Fu
The goal: search and find as much information as possible, whether through real teachers, libraries, or search engines. Things to look for: Ancient Techniques, Foundation Period, Northern Vs. Southern Style, Iron Palm, Mantis, Buddhist Monks, Trees, Year founded, Locations, current practioners, and how it sizes up against other styles.

02/16/05 - Homework project assignment completed by Chaos Sakura
100 gold was donated in his name, and to his account


Research project 2: Wushu
What is Wushu? Are there any famous wushu artists today? Can you provide images demonstrating its techniques? What are common wushu weapons? Are there ranks?

Research project 3: Internal Schools
Nei chia (內家, pinyin n�i jiā "Internal Family") what is it? what is wei chia?
What martial arts draw from their methods? Gather as much information as possible 3nodding

Research project 4: Arnis
A phillipino martial art related to Escrima and Kali, thought to originate through a land bridge of now sunken islands in the Pacific Rim. As much information on this as possible. It is rumored that "Kali" is the martial art practiced by Captain Nemo from the controversial "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"

Research project 5: Ultra Soft Styles
Perhaps you have heard of Aikido? Tai Chi Chuan? Yoga? We would like to see the contrasts of various super soft styles, and how they play out.


Research project 6: Fencing Vs. European Sword Fighting
Discover the history and wonder of Damascus Steel, elucidate on the methods of a Toledo Steel blade, find out about why a Red Headed Boy and Chicken are used in the Ritual of forging a blade, and what the real difference between a lunge and reposte is - and compare them to those Mideval knights.