Related Articles

Samurai Armor Part 1
The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was around 60lb.

---

Who Created Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)?
I have read a number of books, articles, and novels, and have watched movies and television series that touched on the origins of Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing), and the question, "Who Created Tai Chi Chuan?" made me concern very much!Although knowing the origins or the source of Tai Chi Chuan is not going to have much effects on your learning and practicing of the art, it is my responsibility to share with the masses of what I have found out. And understanding the origins of something that we loved so much about will make us appreciate the understand it better, if not improving our skills.

---

Are You Frustrated Yet?
I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid they would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure and may get 'burnt out'.

---

Expect the Unexpected Grass Hopper
The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just received the following Email. I felt it needed to be shared because I feel a lot of people feel the same way?"Hello Damian,I ran across your website searching for what was out there for self defense information and have found myself researching your and Mr.

---

I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words!
Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive through any little strip shopping center in nearly any city and you're likely to see a martial arts studio.

---

Samurai Sword Facts
The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged weapons imported from Korea and China known as chokuto, which were later replaced with the curved blade variety at the end of the 8th Century. The name of the curved blade swords which replaced them was Tachi.

---

A Great Question!
It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some interest.

---

What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?
Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we see now.The Japanese in particular, being on a global war footing, practiced a type of Judo that has little in common with the "sport" of today.

---

Dermot Michael (Pat) ONeill
Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland. As a teenager he traveled to China, and settled in Shanghai.

---

What To Expect When You Least Expect It
The time you will be attacked you will most likely be:Distracted Out numbered Alone There will be no back up You will be in the fight of your life. Specific Defenses don't work.

---

Fight Simulator Theory for Reality Based Street Defense
This is such a powerful tool that it should leave no question unanswered for you and allow you to create an infinite number of techniques and drills. As this is a principle rather than a technique based system, here are the principles:PRINCIPLE1: you get what you train forPRINCIPLE2: if you want a specific answer, ask a specific questionWhat's the problem with martial arts and artists? Why do they argue so much? Why cant we find one style that is the best? After all we all only have two eyes, two arms, two legs and one head.

---

By-Rote Combinations
Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses" to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise.

---

Samurai - The Honourable & The Treacherous
The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient killers.

---

Content, Are We?
I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much has everyone improved in the year since we last got together?"I've practiced the same basics everyday for decades.Everyday Rain or shine.

---

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment
The most common place to buy martial arts or self defense equipment is in the local dojo. Most dojos, training centers, etc.

---

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1
Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.

---

Sensing Intention
One of the 'mystical' aspects of the martial arts has always been the ability to feel another persons intention.Sensing intention gives a person the ability to be in instant control of a potentially violent encounter, and it's one of the ways we use the martial arts to test our energy work and meditation skills in Hoshin.

---

The Best Martial Art
It is a very difficult task to determine which martial art is the best so first of all let's take a look what a martial art exactly is and what not.The word "martial art" consists of 2 parts ; "martial" and "art" both of them are very important as you will see in the following lines in the determination of what a martial art exactly is.

---

The Test
"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul". ~ Rex ApplegateIt really does NOT matter one iota what style, system, method, or technique you MAY wish to apply to your personal survival training.

---

COMBATIVES? ...... Don't Tell Me. I Know What That Is! (Part 1)
"Combatives" from the root word COMBAT - "to fight in direct contact", "active fighting between enemies", "any fight or struggle".Well, let's see??????.

---