Taikyoku Kata

The first kata, or series of kata that I teach are the Taikyoku kata. And besides the form themselves, along with self-defense applications found within the movements of the kata, I also require my students to know where the kata came from. I have done a little research into each kata and here is what I have come across regarding the Taikyoku kata.

The Taikyoku kata were developed by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) in or around 1922 as he says “after many years of research into the art of karate.” They are described as elementary kata since they are the easiest of the kata to learn which consist of basic stances, strikes and punches. To quote from Master Funakoshi’s book Karate-Do Kyohan – The Master Text “… it should be the form with which beginners start.”

Originally there were only three Taikyoku kata. At some point two more kata were added and then a sixth. It is unknown when these extra kata were added or by who, but according to Master Funakoshi’s book Karate-Do Kyohan originally published in 1935 with a second edition published in 1957, there were still only three.

Master Funakoshi named the set of kata, Taikyoku which is said to mean “First Cause,” to reflect the maxim “In karate, there is no advantage in the first attack.” Some styles, Japanese and Korean, refer to the Taikyoku kata as Kihon kata. Kihon is a Japanese term meaning “basics” or “fundamentals.” In some styles this reference is a total renaming not just a reference. In a more informal reference regardless of the name the kata are commonly referred to as “H” pattern kata, however, the pattern represents more of an “I” than an “H.”

A New Dillman Book

Grandmaster George Dillman has a new pressure point book out. It is called Pressure Point Fighting Secrets of Ryukyu Kempo. I guess you could call it a new book, it is actually an upgrade from his second book "Advanced Pressure Point Fighting." When I got the book in the mail a couple of weeks ago, I just did a quick flip through taking a quick glance at the pictures to see which ones stood out. The first thing I noticed was illustrations for Kata Naihanchi and it's bunkai. Then I thought, George you've already done a Naihanchi book. Why do another? A little frustrated since I paid full price plus shipping off his website. But I decided to give it a go anyway.

I started at the beginning to see what this one had to offer. In the introduction Chris Thomas, Dillman's co-author, is up front that Dillman's second book was developed using technology that is no longer available. No wonder it has been "Sold Out" Duh! And since the publication of that book, so much more has been learned about kata that they decided to reissue the information in a new format using new and old photos. He even jokes about how young and thin some of them use to be. Makes perfect sense. Book #2 has always been my favorite. Probably because it was the first Dillman book I bought. I remember prepaying for the book and getting it just days before heading to Huston, Texas for a Big 3 seminar back in '94. I spent the entire plane ride there studying that book and all it had to offer. Can this book live up to its legacy?

This book opens up with a photo montage of Dillmanites of old and new. It has a two page spread honoring Professor Wally Jay who passed away earlier this year. Of course, there are also pictures of Professor Remy Presas too; both of who were Dillman's old friends and cohorts. However, there are some incorrect dates; They have Wally Jay's birthday as June 16, 1917 which it is actually June 15th and they have Remy Presas's death as August 2003, which he actually passed in 2001. I would think that these would be dates that people would remember, especially if they were friends.

Like previous Dillman books, this is setup in a similar fashion. There is detailed information on several pressure points. This one utilizes new and old photos and graphics along with some basic applications that a point might be used in. Then, just like in book #2 it outlines Kata Nihanchi so if you want to learn the kata you can do so from pictures, which are all new. After that, over 30 applications are covered which can be found within the kata. Some of the applications can be found in book #2 and some of them are new. Then there is a new section at the back of the book which covers stances and how each one has a different elemental value, giving another level to kata and bunkai.

Overall I think the book is worth getting, especially since you can't get book #2 anymore. I know that I will be stocking my shelves with them for students to purchase.

Have you eaten your daily dirt?

I have this friend Karl, he is a fellow martial artist and a pretty cool guy. I would consider him an intelligent person and someone that if he told me something I knew nothing about, there would be a big chance I would believe him without too much question since he researches everything.

So a couple weeks ago he starts talking about Diatomatious Earth. He says that he has been taking a couple tablespoons every morning of the last couple of weeks and that he has seen a drastic change in how he feels. He tells me that there are numerous health benefits and then asks if I would like to have some so I can try. "Sure, why the hell not!" I say. "I'm up for anything." He gives me this plastic togo container filled with what looks like cement. Really!? I'll admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but then after I did a little internet surfing, I decided to jump in with both feet.

For those who don't know, cuz I didn't, Diatomatious Earth is in a basic sense fossilized algae, so it's not really dirt. It is very light, mildly abrasive and easy to be ground up into powder. It also has tons of usages. To name a few, it is a stabilizing agent for nitroglycerine (Diatomite), it can be used as an organic way to rid yourself of flees, bedbugs and ants, it can be used in the garden, it is a great water filter, oh yeah, and you can eat it.

When it comes to human use, there are several health benefits; It can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, it helps curb your appetite so many have experienced weight loss, it helps detoxify your system and gets rid of parasites. And since it helps clean your system it has been known to increase peoples energy levels.

I take about two tablespoons every morning with water or juice, which I have been doing for just about two weeks now and I have noticed a difference in how I feel. After just a couple of days, I stopped waking up in the morning with back pain or any body stiffness, I do notice a curb on my appetite, but I love to eat so I haven't seen any weight loss yet, though I can definitely see some in my future. I already have low cholesterol and low blood pressure, but I am interested how much it my lower my cholesterol.

If you decide to go this route, there are many places on the internet you can purchase it, but the best and cheapest way to go is buying in bulk at a local feed store. Just remember to get the Food Grade version. Since there are some many uses the others can make you a little sick.

So as I like to ask my wife every day, "Have you eaten your dirt today?" If you haven't, drink up!

Hosting Seminars

I had the great honor of hosting Grandmaster Mark Kline a few weekends past. Though not as many people showed for the seminar as I had hoped, we did have a good showing and the weekend ended up being a success. So much so that Mark wants to come back, which means I did something right.

However, putting everything together that the seminar needed, that was stressful. Fun, but stressful. And I would do it again.

This was the first seminar I had put on by myself and pretty much flew by the seat of my pants almost the entire time. I can't really say I did it all by myself, I did take advice from my elders in the industry and I do have to give credit to my friend Dan Anderson for being one of those to who gave it to me. And I can't forget my family who put up with all my craziness during my promotion of the seminar and during the weekend itself. Especially my wife, she is the greatest.

In the past I have always been the helper to the instructor hosting so I had some idea of what to expect and how to go about things. But when you are the one with your money and reputation on the line, especially if you have never really hung out with the person/instructor before on a personal level, there can be a lot at risk. I this case, my risk work out for the good, just like I knew it would.

Mark and I are discussing the next seminar. Will it be the same time next year or sooner than that? Who knows at this point, we are hoping to do it bigger for the next one and maybe do a Big Three style seminar. Things are in the works, but something will happen. Just this time, I will know what to expect. Maybe.

On Killing

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Lt Col. Dave Grossman, retired. He was teaching his “Bulletproof Mind” seminar which goes over topics covered in his book On Combat. I have read articles from him in the past, but I had not ready any of his books. I was so inspired by his presentation that I bought all of his books and a couple others.

I finished reading On Killing about a month ago, his first book. It is a written study about the psychological effects of man killing man, how we are naturally wired not to kill each other and how the military and society have desensitized us. Wow, what a read. When it was originally published, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I can believe it.

This is a great book on human nature in regards to killing and its effects on the psyche. Not only that, it covers topics that are hard to discuss and even taboo.

The one point that Grossman tries to make toward the end of the book is that video games and television of today are desensitizing our children and that they are to blame for incidents such as Columbine or Virginia Tech. I agree with Grossman's ideas when it comes to general topics discussed in the book, but I disagree with this specific one.

He makes a good point and I do agree that TV and video games are partially to blame for the desensitization. However, when it comes to the effect on children, the true blame is on the parents. I have three kids myself and I let them play video games, some of them violent, but I limit how long they can play, I make sure I know what games they are playing, at home and at their friends, and most importantly I make it clear to them that they are games, not real life and on top of that I have instilled a sense of right and wrong plus good morals into my children so they can make good decisions when I am not around. When the parents are not involved in their children's live, I believe this is when kids have a better chance of making bad decisions and shooting up their school.

As a martial artist, I took a lot out of this book. It is a book I wish I had read much earlier than I did. It makes me think about my art and how it once was known as a "killing" art and how instructors today, myself included are focusing on our styles as arts of humane self-defense, of course, based on the situation. Yes there are still killing moves and we discuss these techniques in theory when students get to a certain level, but just because some jerk wants to knock your block off because you were hitting on his girlfriend, doesn't mean you have to kill him over it.

I follow and teach a Use-of-Force matrix which basically states the level of force used in a defensive situation should be based on a reasonable person's idea of what is justified. So breaking someone's neck just because he threw a drink on you doesn't mean you are justified. But if he pulls a knife and you break the hand or the arm holding that knife or even strategically cutting him with your own knife to disable him and stop him is perfectly justified. Basically it follows the law.

But say you did have to take a life in self-defense, how would that effect you? Have you been desensitized enough to have it not effect you? Have you trained in a move over and over again where you are killing your opponent and then you use that move in real, how do you think you will be psychologically effected? How will this effect the rest of your life? These are all things that martial artists think about and yet don't think about. I know I didn't think about it as deeply as I should have until I read this book. I have now made it required reading for my black belts since it covers topics like these and more.

I highly suggest this book to anyone. You should pick it up.

Welcome ONE and ALL!!!

Here it is... the school blog. Or at least a blog I will use for the school and other things I think the world should know about. I had another one that shouldn't be read by by anyone under the age of 40, but that was just me being as blunt as I could be about topics that really get to me. This one will be much cleaner, possible still controversial, but I do plan to post more than once in a while.

We also have a facebook page and a website. You probably got here through one of those sites, but if you didn't you can find links to them in this post and to your left.

• Handwerker Martial Arts on FACEBOOK

• Handwerker Martial Arts WEBSITE

Thanks for stopping by hope you stop by again...