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Martial Arts Magazine Budo International 332 – March 2 fortnight – 2017

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The work with this film is a primer in the difference between Kyusho and Dim Mak, as they are not based on the same targets. It is a continuation of the 6-Ji Hands and Iron Shirt study and films available through Budo International. The 6 Ji Hands that are prevalent throughout an art called Pangai-Noon or Uechi Ryu. It is one of the very few styles that contain and focus on these specific hand positions to get to the Deeper Tissue of the body. This film shows the use of hands not as bludgeons, but rather daggers with the transitional torqueing type power utilized in the 6 Ji Hands* to properly use Kyusho‌ this is a missing facet in most Kyusho practitioners skill sets. 8 KO's (including compression and blood KO's). In this DVD set, works the seemingly simple Sanchin Kata through 8 stages of fighting skill (a complete Martial System in one Kata with Iron Shirt methods as well). DVD Vol.2 Contents: Leg Targets, Takedowns, Kyusho Grappling, Tuite, Kyusho Knife Defense

Ref.: • DVD/Kyusho-26 All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo Inter national, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


"The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less." Arthur Miller

"Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much. Wisdom is humble that he knows no more." William Cowper

owever much we learn of whatever subject, what we ignore about it will always be infinitely superior to what we understand or dominate. The impulse of evolution is necessarily based on this premise. What we know or see is always partial: true wisdom begins by assuming this reality. Why do we humans, however, insist on being arrogant? The reasons can be almost infinite just as well, but fear and uncertainty lie often behind them. Fear of our finitude, fear of conflict and defeat, of changes, of disease and madness, of pain and emotional loss, of misery, of violence, of recognizing ourselves ignorant, of getting lost... All too often, we human beings prefer relying on something wrong than assuming that we don't have where to lean on. Depending on our original nature, we assume these determinations and attitudes and, like Fire, we react violently, impetuously, rapidly, consuming everything at once‌ or like Water, filling everything, dropping ourselves down, stuck in our routines, or fluidly adapting to the situations... or like the Air, that changes at any moment transforming us and transforming the things and situations that surround us, for good or ill... or like the Earth, determining, finishing, always in the pursuit of stability, of making a resolution concrete. The drive towards comprehension and personal growth always finds an opposite force, that of inertia and stagnation. Learning always involves an effort, a concentration and a determination to get out of where you are and move in some specific direction breaking a resistance. Ignorance is like gravity, it's always present and active; breaking its domain requires intention and effort. It's analogous to the darkness of night skies; immense, infinite, occupying everything, only broken by small lights lit in the immense emptiness. Light is analogous to comprehension, elucidation, understanding, awakening, seeing. Light always consumes a lot of energy to happen. What releases more heat in our body is the head. Life is a process in which we "burn" slowly in each breath, in which oxygen fuels our internal combustion, hence the brutal wear that our structure must endure, constantly compensating this internal fire that consumes us. Men and trees are opposite and complementary in so many things: if the roots of trees are below, ours are

above; if their fruits are external, ours are necessarily internal. The greatest value in the life of each of us is the internal conquests we achieve, these are the only ones that will remain and generate supporting points to climb up to a new conquest. The external we can always lose, the internal, however, will remain as an exchequer to which invariably we will be able to resort. Nevertheless this truth is paradoxically reversed in the most evident aspects of the consensual reality of our days, always directed outward, to appear or to have instead of being, to possess instead of knowing. Proof of this is that, in our society, kicking a ball is certainly much more rewarded than being a doctor. We humans dwell a common paradigm, still very poor, whipped as group to violent, absurd and destructive twists and transformations. There is a background, a titanic struggle among massive forces that fight to sustain trends and realities, to which we respond as a whole, generally with very little elevation, with a very low level. This struggle is resolved every day, at every moment, in each one of us, and the sum resulting from each individual contribution will determine the fate of the group. There's not much more we can do for the whole, but to deal with our internal fruits, because the world and its realities are only representations of conjunctions of forces, holograms of what can be, while the true reality exists only and exclusively within each one of us. Facing the same external situation, two people can live the same circumstance in completely opposite ways ... There is therefore no better investment than the one we do to wake up, to understand, to go further in our infinite struggle against ignorance. Not in vain the directions of evolution are forward, upward, INWARD ... and into the WHOLE. Whatever path you have chosen, at some point it will lead you to an essential crossroads that will push you and confront you to go beyond the obvious, the consensus, the appearances. Do not fear, we all have to go through it; be humble before that design and appreciate your opportunity, grasp it firmly and give yourself to the experience, because everything that deserves to be learned, everything that will effectively make you bigger, will question the foundations of your conception of the world, and, no matter how hard it may be for you, at the end it will be worth it. Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch, but advancing in favor of the winds of evolution much help will surely arrive. The Universe is as ruthless as it is generous.

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Martial Arts of Europe

Spanish Fencing THE ORIGIN OF THE SPANISH INFLUENCE IN THE PHILIPPINE MARTIAL ARTS. By Joaquín de Diego. Instructor of the FEEH (Federación Española de Esgrima Histórica - Spanish Federation of Historic Fencing).

Learning from your opponent to be able to beat him is one of the basic rules of Martial Arts. "The general is knowledge, fidelity, courage and discipline" (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War"). If your enemy defeats you for possessing better weaponry, you will try to acquire it. "If he does it for a better technique, you'll have to study it to emulate or overcome it, or otherwise avoid combat." This is what the Chinese and the Japanese, as well as the Filipino natives, must have thought when they confronted the Spaniards during the 16th century in the Luzon archipelago, whose main islands were incorporated into the Spanish Crown in just six years he unfortunately unknown Spanish military history is no doubt one of the most ancient and interesting of humanity. Throughout the centuries, the great exploits of Hispanics on the battlefield have shared two constants that have been invariably repeated over time: a scanty number of men and resources offset by an exceptional courage in combat, and a unique way of facing death. A particular character that, throughout History, has contributed even to the invention and development of weaponry and to the creation

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of own military systems in techniques and tactics. From the myriad of examples to which we can refer, in this article we shall briefly approach two armed conflicts, which, although unknown to the majority, were a milestone in the development of the Philippine Martial Arts: the Fights against Lim-A-Hong, in Manila and Pangasinรกn (1574/75) and the Fights of Cagayรกn (1582). Since the Spanish explorer Miguel Lรณpez de Legazpi founded the first Spanish colony on the island of Cebu in 1565, until the total conquest of the Philippine archipelago in 1571, the successive combats between the natives and the Spaniards always characterized by three key aspects: The poor and scanty means of the conquistadors - compensated with courage -, an unstoppable military structure (the Tercios and the Marine Corps) and a lethal fighting system with different weapons (the Spanish Dexterity, common and true) - a fact that has also occurred in the totality of the military Spanish exploits outside Europe. After the conquest, the new subjects of the Spanish Crown of the East Indies assumed the Spanish military superiority. However, it was only after the Spaniards had overwhelmingly defeated the Chinese and the Japanese that the Filipinos incorporated and adapted the Spanish form of combat to their traditional systems. In both confrontations, the Spanish demonstrated that their combat system was far superior to that of the Chinese and the Japanese. Two warrior peoples, two military powers with their own martial systems, known and feared in the Philippines. But Chinese and Japanese were defeated in such a resounding way that they didn't dare to try again the assault of the islands and their armed activities didn't put at risk the Spanish domain again. The Spanish victories over trained and disciplined troops demonstrated to the Filipinos the superiority of Spanish fencing. For this reason, the natives decided to adapt this fighting system to their own weapons, as it happened with the Kalis. Fruit of this crossbreeding and after successive generations, a Philippine Martial Art, clearly differentiated from the other Eastern disciplines, was born: "Eskrima". A pre-nineteenth-century tradition that collected and kept alive a traditional system of singular combat and dueling, and


which, paradoxically, was lost in Spain: the art of handling the jack knife, the stick, the cane and the club; the fencing of knife, sword and saber; different forms of fighting. A system adapted to each weapon that in Spain was traditionally denominated "Esgrima" (Fencing).

The Fights against Lim-A-Hong in Manila and Pangasinan (1574/75). Chinese piracy was a great surprise for the Spaniards settled in the Philippines. Accustomed to the sporadic and unorganized attacks of the Caribbean pirates, the Spaniards didn't expect an attack of the great fleet deployed by the pirate and lord of the war commonly known as Limahon. After capturing a ship with gold and silver that had set sail from Manila en route to China, Limahon was informed that the city counted on poor defenses and a scanty garrison. Then, in the Chinese way, they set out for the conquering of Manila with a large fleet made up of 62 ships and, according to sources, between 1000 and 3000 men of arms. On its way to Manila, the fleet was sighted by a Spanish soldier who was building a new settlement under the orders of Juan de Salcedo, who with 50 soldiers was populating the coast. This fact would prove later to be very decisive. The night attack began with the destruction of a Spanish galiot and the death of its 22 crew members. Then, a spearhead of 400 men, landed and marching in combat formation attacked Manila in the shelter of the night following the instructions of a spy. The plan was taking by storm a city in which the men rested carelessly in their houses and didn't have any type of defense. But, to the pirates' surprise, Manila had been alerted by the value of the woman of the Field Master Martín de Goiti. In this first combat a dozen of Castilians died. The fire in the house of the Field Master Martin allowed that the remaining Spaniards, not more than 100, could get the women and children to safety. While that was happening, 30 volunteers, with Captain Velázquez in front, faced the assailants to finally put them to flight. After the withdrawal of the Chinese, the confusion among the Castilians was complete. They didn't know who had attacked them or why, but they readied to the defense around a palisade that they hurriedly raised and there they sheltered next to the women and children who returned from the forest.

“However, it was only after the Spaniards had overwhelmingly defeated the Chinese and the Japanese that the Filipinos incorporated and adapted the Spanish form of combat to their traditional systems.”


Martial Arts of Europe


Spanish Fencing

The number of Chinese that dwelled in Manila was ten times superior to the Spanish population and the native Filipino people had a disparate behavior. After the first attack, most of the Chinese fled. But a Chinese merchant informed the Spaniards about the attackers and warned them of the impending disembarkation that would take place in the following days. On the contrary, the native population, seeing the Spaniards falter, rose against them and it became necessary to contain them. In this way, 104 Spaniards, including the reinforcements of Captain Juan de Salcedo, confronted a troop that, in perfect battle formation, surpassed them in a ratio of ten to one. The defense of the settlers was so strong that, when Limahon's casualties exceeded 200 men against only 2 Spaniards, the pirate decided to withdraw to the region of Panganisån - on his arrival, he immediately proclaimed himself king - to regain strength, repair his ships and recruit new soldiers. The withdrawal of the Chinese troops was quiet. The Spanish ships had been burned by the rebellious natives, and Manila Bay was crowded with about 10,000 Filipinos who, after the pirates' first assault, were looking forward the defeat of the Europeans. After these events, the Spanish armed presence in Manila was reduced to scarcely 250 men. 150 of them came from a ship originally headed for Mindanao that had been burned when it docked in Manila. With these troops, and aware of the urgent need to finish off Limahon once and for all to pacify the natives, Salcedo left with 256 Spanish soldiers and 2,500 Filipinos, while a handful of men remained in Manila to build a palisade. They marched to Panganisån and there they besieged and defeated the troops of Limahon and his Filipino allies, although he in the end managed to escape. The news of the pirate’s fleeing and the Spanish victory against all odds pacified the Filipino natives. The Spaniards had demonstrated their military superiority in front of the well trained Chinese troops, in larger numbers and better equipped.


“The Spanish victories over trained and disciplined troops demonstrated to the Filipinos the superiority of Spanish fencing. For this reason, the natives decided to adapt this fighting system to their own weapons, as it happened with the Kalis. Fruit of this crossbreeding and after successive generations, a Philippine Martial Art, clearly differentiated from the other Eastern disciplines, was born: "Eskrima".�


The CagayĂĄn Combats (1582) On June 16, 1582, on a letter addressed to the Spanish King Philip II, the Governor General wrote: "The Japanese are the most bellicose people to be found around here. They bring artillery and many harquebuses and pikes. They use defensive iron weapons for the body. All of which they have by industry of the Portuguese, who have shown them for the pain of their souls." Letter from Gonzalo Ronquillo de PeĂąalosa, Governor of the Philippines, to the King: June 16, 1582 (General Archive of the Indies) Since 1580, Japanese pirates settled on the Chinese coast had intensified their pirate raids in Luzon. The Spanish response was immediate and the settlements of the aggressors on the Philippine coast were re-conquered. Two years later, a fleet of 19 ships (1 Junk and 18 Sampan) and more than 1000 men of arms, mostly Ronin (samurais without a lord) commanded by Tay Fusa, launched a punishment raid against the General Captaincy of the Philippines. To intercept them, 7 ships were assembled: a galley (the Capitana), a light ship (the San Yusepe) and five support vessels. Its combat troops were formed by 40 Spanish soldiers of the Marines "Tercios" (harquebusiers, Sword and Buckler Men, and Pike men). The seamanship was composed of Spaniards and Filipinos. The fierce combats took place both at sea and on dry land. In spite of the overwhelming numerical difference and size, the first combat was fought when the Spaniards boarded the Junk. After surrendering the Junk, a new combat was fought in the river Cagayan against the 18


sampan. Spanish discipline, fencing, armament and combat tactics far overcame the seasoned Japanese samurais in both encounters. Far from being satisfied with these victories, the Spaniards, commanded by the captain of the Spanish Navy Juan Pablo de CarriĂłn, disembarked to face the enemy troops that remained on shore. The Japanese wanted to agree to surrender with compensation for the losses suffered. Before the Spanish denial, and on having noticed the small number of Spanish soldiers, the 600 Japanese warriors decided to attack them with all their might. The 30 Spaniards, entrenched, repelled one assault after another and, when they ran out of gunpowder, they charged in combat formation against the Ronin, killing the majority and causing the few survivors to flee. The weapons and armors of the dreaded samurai were taken as trophies. The region was pacified and the fame of this Spanish victory demonstrated to Filipinos and Japanese that the Spanish fencing was superior to the Bushido arts. What, then, was the cause that made the Spaniards of that time an unstoppable army against all kinds and numbers of enemies? Let's recall the four qualities mentioned at the beginning of the article, that a good general and the troops he commands, whether small or large, must have. The Spanish Empire was forged on the bases of these four principles in the persons of its military men, and it was lost in the moment that its governors forgot such qualities.

“What, then, was the cause that made the Spaniards of that time an unstoppable army against all kinds and numbers of enemies?�


1. Knowledge The Spanish conquerors, aware of their constant numerical inferiority, always applied their wit and knowledge as war weapons. An example of this is the explorations and systematic mapping of all discovered lands, the seeking for strategic alliances with natives, diplomacy and exemplary punishments for traitors. On the other hand, the evolution in Spain of the Martial Arts improved progressively until reaching the level of science. The technological innovation of the arms allowed the Spaniards to create a system of combat for the militia that remained unrivalled for almost two centuries. The feared Spanish Tercios applied science to combat in military formations equally useful in both open and closed order, and on any battlefield. But without a doubt, science was applied more intensely to the individual handling of all kinds of weapons. The first surviving treatises are: “La verdadera Esgrima y el arte de esgrimir" (1472 - "Real Fencing and the art of fencing"), by Jaime Pons de Perpiñán; "El manejo de las armas de combate (1473 - "The handling of combat weapons"), by Pedro de la Torre; and “Tratado de la Esgrima con figuras”(1532 - "Treaty of the Fencing with figures"), by Francisco Roman. Although they are the first of which we keep written records, it is quite probable that Fencing had been practiced in a regulated manner in Spain since long before, as in the rest of Europe. Finally, mathematics, geometry or philosophy laid the foundation of "True Dexterity" for knightly weapons: the sword and the dagger. This discipline was generalized throughout the seventeenth century and its diffusion was such that

“The Spanish conquerors, aware of their constant numerical inferiority, always applied their wit and knowledge as war weapons.”


allowed the appearance of the so-called "Indiana Dexterity", a variant of the peninsular system developed in the overseas territories of the Spanish Empire that undoubtedly had a great diffusion in the Philippine Islands. Although Dexterity manuals were preserved until 1862, throughout the nineteenth century, the traditional system was adapted and simplified for the saber, which displaced the sword as a military weapon.

2. Loyalty Nothing bonds and unites a collective like having a common enemy and a common cause. Even more so if that cause is considered morally elevated and protected by God, in an era in which the religious thing transcended all the values of life. After several centuries of “Reconquista�, the Hispanics considered themselves as if they were the sword of the Church. Once Granada was liberated of the Moorish domain, and after the discovery of the New World, the Catholic Monarchs and the later Dynasty of


the Austria’s took for themselves and their subjects a double task: the defense of the Catholic Faith in the face of the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, and the expansion of The Word of God in all the Indies. In this way, the general conviction of the people that their kings were such by Heaven's design, and that, therefore, God was with them, awarded them with an unheard-of value even in the worst circumstances. For those people, obeying their King was to obey God Himself, a deep Faith that was transmitted to all overseas territories including the Philippines. "My sons, to die we have come, or to win if Heaven so disposes. Give the enemies no chance that, with ungodly arrogance, they ask you: Where is your God? Fight in His Holy Name because, dead or victorious, you will enjoy immortality." Don Juan de Austria, Battle of Lepanto (1571).

3. Courage For centuries, the Iberian Peninsula was an energetic warlike and bellicose company whose bravery has been recognized by its enemies. "Spain alone gives birth to the armed men" King Francis I of France (1494-1547) In the narrative of the combats of Manila, Pangayán and Cagayán it was insisted on highlighting the number of contenders and the different numerical opposition of each side. In all of them, a few overcame many. I cannot think of a better way to prove the effectiveness of a combat system in all kinds of battlefields and the bravery of those who fought, than to briefly tell these facts of arms and encourage the reader to read about them, since each one of them is exciting. The Spaniards didn't face the Filipino tribal warriors, brave but without military organization or discipline. In these combats the Chinese and Japanese fighting systems were contrasted against the European through professional men of arms.

“The practical demonstration in combat of the Spanish fighting systems, from the Dexterity to the fight modalities of the popular classes with sticks and knives, made the Filipinos learn and adapt the Spanish methods to their own weapons. Thanks to the Filipinos, a martial tradition that unfortunately we lost in Spain, has been kept alive.”


4. Discipline To the question of the ambassador of Florence, Francesco Guiccinardini to Ferdinand the Catholic, on the causes for which a people as bellicose as the Spanish had been successively conquered, the King replied as follows: "The nation is quite fit for arms, but disorderly, so only the one who knows how to keep the people together and in order will be able to do great things with it." Well, knowing the Hispanic character, turbulent and quarrelsome, it was during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs when it was created the army model that would remain undefeated for a century and a half. A professional army with an iron discipline and whose foundation was the infantry. Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, known as "El Gran Capitán", modified and unified the military structure of the Spanish Crown. This allowed it to be functional and effective regardless of the number of available troops and the battlefield, and where the minimum combat unit was the infantry soldier. His training and "dexterity with arms" allowed him to fight both in closed and open order, as well as in singular combat. On this basis, during the reign of Charles I, there were raised the famous Spanish Tercios (1534-1704) and Marine Corps (1537), that conquered the Philippine Islands. In conclusion, the Art of Eskrima didn't originate in the nineteenth century, although it was in this period when the different styles were fixed, which also coincided with the generalization of the saber and the knife as military weapons. The birth of the Filipino Martial Arts goes a long way back, and, as the rest of Martial disciplines, they evolved over generations. The practical demonstration in combat of the Spanish fighting systems, from the Dexterity to the fight modalities of the popular classes with sticks and knives, made the Filipinos learn and adapt the Spanish methods to their own weapons. Thanks to the Filipinos, a martial tradition that unfortunately we lost in Spain, has been kept alive. Joaquín de Diego. May 2016


Martial Arts of Europe PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Joaquín de Diego Martínez (SUMMARY) Joaquín de Diego Martínez (Quino) is a geographer at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He studied at the universities of Cantabria and Plymouth (England). Founder and manager of the multidisciplinary company "GEA Impulso Global". Created in 2005, it specializes in studies and integral projects on the territory. He has carried out many projects and studies in the fields of Culture, Territorial Planning and Environment. With regard to historical research, some of his works are: research, design and musealization of the Interpretation Centers of the "Cabezón de la Sal, 18th century Dungeon", “The Carrejo Mill. S. XVIII" and "C.I Fish-man of Liérganes. S. XVII"; different press reports as a columnist for Diario Montañés; popular history books like "History of Castro for children"; collaborator in sections of History and culture in radio stations such as Radio Camargo, Oíd Radio, Cantabria FM, Aquí FM, and currently in Onda Cantabria... he is a member of the IMBEAC Historical Research multidisciplinary team. He specializes in the recreation and historical reconstruction of different eras and experimental military archeology. Responsible for some of the first historical recreations in Cantabria, since 2007 he is the advisor of historical reconstruction of the Festival of National Tourist Interest "Cantabrian Wars", and others. Instructor and co-founder member of the "Tercio Norte" Hall of Arms of historical fencing, belonging to the FEEH (Spanish Federation of Historical Fencing). Instructor of Historical Fencing specialized in weapons of the Ancient, Middle, Modern and Contemporary Ages, both in military formations and in singular combats. Edge weapons (with and without left hand weapon): medieval sword, messer, long sword (German and Italian schools), tip and edge, rapier (Spanish dexterity), Spanish small sword, Spanish saber... Short weapons: gladius, falcata, pugio, daga... Spear weapons: lancei, pilum, phalaric, spear, halberd ... Projectile and throwing weapons: sling, bow and javelins. Hand to hand combat: Pankratio, Ringen, Wrestling. Member of the Cantabrian Kung Fu Selection for 5 years. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Combat on horse and battle formations. Federated bowman and shooter of Olympic and historic firearms (wick, spark and piston).

SUMMARY ON AUDIOVISUAL EXPERIENCE 1. Production: Production and historical advising in atrezzo, costuming, armament, ambiance and locations scouting (e.g.: "Los Cronocrímenes", by Nacho Vigalondo in 2007, "De Pontis", by the Rodrigo Brothers, in 2013), as well as in the coordination of Technicians in these areas. Selection, training and management of groups of extras and action stunts. This last section especially oriented to military and fighting subjects (scenic fight, fight choreographies and staging of individual or massive struggles). Drafting of technical reports and management to obtain financing, permissions and feasibility of projects, as well as logistics. 2. Script, direction: Screenwriting and filming of setting and historical reenactment for Museums and Interpretation Centers, documentaries, short films and Historical Festivals. • Documentary "The legend of the fish-man of Liérganes", awarded in three contests • Short film: "La Zona" (The Zone)


• Historical Celebrations: Napoleonic Recreation (Santoña, Cantabria - 2005); F.I.T.N. Cantabrian Wars (Los Corrales de Buelna, Cantabria - from 2007 to 2015); Ancient Era Recreation in Carabanzo (Carabanzo, Asturias - from 2010 to 2015); Arde Lucus (Lugo, Galicia - from 2008 to 2015); 2 de Mayo (Maliaño / Muriedas, Cantabria - from 2014 to 2015) ... 3. Performance: Historical consultant, instructor and choreographer of fighting and scenic combat with historical base, in fights on foot, on horseback and boats in Historical Festivals. Experience as an extra in Cinema, short films and teasers: • "Captain Alatriste" (“El Capitán Alatriste”, 2006) • "Blood of May" (“Sangre de Mayo”, 2008) • "Austerlitz" (2008, 2011) • "Gallaicus" (2012) • "De Pontis" (2013) • "Risen" (2014) • "Conquerors" (“Conquistadores”, 2014) • "The Promise" (2015)

My search and practice in the Filipino Martial Arts led me to the study of the Verdadera Destreza (True Dexterity), the Spanish Martial Art par excellence, which specializes in the handling of the Sword and the Dagger. As a practitioner of Kalis Ilustrisimo under Guro Dino Flores for years, I could find similarities between both combat arts. More information in Kapisanang Mandirigma Eskrima Institute.


Jeet Kune Do

Is kindness a quality or a flaw? Is it possible to be friendly in a world where people think of being hostile is going to protect them from anything? Indeed, kindness is often regarded as a flaw whose people use in order to get what they need from the nice people. Be nice does not mean for all that we are not able to defend ourself, but it only means that we would rather smile and give ÂŤ love Âť around, instead of being aggressive, and crushing people and use them.


Jeet Kune Do


e can see increasingly people humiliating friends, colleagues or sportsmen in order to bring them out and to their superiority. Well, putting down someone does not prove your superiority. Nice people are often time bombs. It means that when aggressive people went beyond the bounds, which are often exceeded, the nice guy blows up and the so called villain realizes that he is not able to come up to clash with the one he thought he was stupid simply because he is fiendly . This personality trait which is kindness is a treasure in this world of individualism where each person think of himself and jostle, use or walk over in order to reach their goals . Indeed, when we reach our goal, these ones are only valued if they have been got by a hard work without using and manipulating anyone . Naturally, we always need to be helped and guided by our seniors. For example, during our educational background, teachers help us to prepare for adult life and to get the job we want to . But, it is a partnership which requires of us lot of work and sacrifices . Otherwise, the objectives will not be achieved. So , we must be extremely grateful to these persons who punctuate our career and provide us to be educated, to be cultivated and to have a suitable job. Unfortunately, when we are grateful to our teachers, we are regarded as a boot-licker, whereas we are just aware and clear about what people brought us . Likewise, when these same teachers are nice and benevolent, they are regarded as weak people which can be crushed and with whom we can do

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Jeet Kune Do everything and above all be disrespectful and arrogant with them . When I was at junior high school, I witnessed a grotesque situation which ended in the dismissal of a wonderful History and Geography teacher. I was in my first year of high school and my History teacher was excellent and with an unbelievable kindness. This teacher was mishandled by some junior high school's pupils who troubled all courses. One day, this teacher blew up and got out a dagger of his bag and told the pupils of this classroom that if they did not listen to him he would use it against them. He has been fired and the parents of these pupils were shocked. But, they had not ever shocked to learn that their children spat on the teacher or threw tear gas during the lessons . People are shocked to see a nice individual loosing his temper when he wears thin after many warnings of their inappropriate attitudes, but they do not hesitate before this explosion to humiliate and to use this person. In spite of all of this, I recommend to be yourself and to be kind even with arrogant people who use us . Basically, these people who act the aggressive and who crush nice people are only poor people on the inside. Indeed, crushing people is a way which reveal a serious sign of deep suffering. Only, the weak uses the others because he is unable to do thing by himself. How many « disabled »do we run into every day, who have us believe that they know everything but in fact they cannot get anything ? How many times in the martial arts, did we train arrogant people who do not even know how to kick properly by lack of work, but after using us, they claim to be popped out of the blue and dream up some warrior stories and some imaginary process

“Basically, these people who act the aggressive and who crush nice people are only poor people on the inside. Indeed, crushing people is a way which reveal a serious sign of deep suffering.”


Jeet Kune Do


At last, how many times, when we are wound up of their sarcasms and we raise our voice, they become nice and they are afraid that we get more angry and we give them a kicking ? We have all been confronted to these situations as a nice person. Is it reason for becoming a vilain or an aggressive? Absolutely not, because it would be stoop to their level and the strongest fight as staying a nice and a gentle person are the most beautiful and give the most beautiful victories by ourselves . Indeed, do not ever wait any thanks of anyone and make thing with your heart. When you are disappointed or betrayed by the closest people unfortunately, be humane towards them who are weak. If you raise the voice, you will be sad to have done it because you are a good person and not a violent one who use violence as a means of expression in order to bring out. It is better to be nice and help others, in a world governed by selfishness and violence. In order to survive, the human being need to respect his own and which encircle him and not to destroy everything by pleasure in order to show superiority to others human beings or another living species. Only kindness is able to change this world, and it is our rĂ´le as teachers, whether it be at school, in sport, in outof-school settings ( theater....) to set an example. In that case, please, the so-called warriors and all sorts of arrogants people who bring them out degrading, humiliating people, all of that to be known and to get media attention, make me happy, stop teaching or behaving like that so as to show properly by example to another. In martial arts, we must lead the way to the students who trust us. How many times can we see


Jeet Kune Do

students who act the aggressive before a tournament for imitating their teacher, and who lose all their fight, because watching balefully or act the warrior do not mean anything and do not ensure victory. During a combat or when we defend our life, the nice guys has as much luck as the aggressive so-called warrior crushes the others in every day life. It is even practically sure that the nice guys will have more chance to win because the fact of being nice is going to bring out a muscle relaxation and so an extremely clear-sighted, explosiveness and power. I hope that this article will make all people think who have no respect for anyone, and for those who helped them to shape their personality and will realize that they do not excel through their attitudes . As for me, I will always stay the one who I am, that is to say, kind with people, and taking care of ones who trust me . I know who I am and who I do not want to become. I do not have anything to prove to anyone except to myself. If I have to leave a trace to people, I would rather they remembered me as a sympatheticand a nice person rather than a so called wrong warrior who was arrogant and inefficient in reality.


“During a combat or when we defend our life, the nice guys has as much luck as the aggressive so-called warrior crushes the others in every day life.�


In this comprehensive instructional video, Andreas Weitzel, founder and head instructor of the SYSTEMA Academy Weitzel (Augsburg, Germany) and one of the leading SYSTEMA Instructors in Europe explains the most important fighting fundamentals. First he vividly elucidates how to walk naturally focusing on the correct execution of steps. He then shows how to use this work in combat applications. A variety of different topics are explained in this movie including: How to unbalance an attacker; How to strike and kick correctly; How to defend against, grabs, throws, strikes and kicks. The explanations in this video are simple but clear with the aim for easy comprehension and lear ning for everyone. During his explanation Andreas always includes and focuses on the most important principles and fundamentals of SYSTEMA by showing how different topics are tightly linked to each other. Furthermore free and spontaneous work against different attacks including weapons is shown under realistic conditions and full speed. In this video Andreas is assisted and supported by Michael Hazenbeller (Rastatt) and Thomas Gößler (Augsburg), two experienced Systema Instructors.

REF.: • DVD/SYSWEITZEL1

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


The Salvador Sรกnchez Column

Text and Photos: Salvador Sรกnchez

Sifu Roland Tong Yip Man Ving Tsun Along this incredible journey in which we embarked few years ago in search of the origins and evolution of W ing Chun, I've had the immense good fortune of bumping into all sorts of people. This is no doubt one of the best things that my "work" provides me with. In the absence of a large salary, or working and familiar s t a b i l i t y, having the opportunity to travel around the world and meet such inter esting people who live by and are passionate about Martial Arts is something really rewarding. I have hundreds of friends all over the world who live and feel the same passion as I for Martial Arts and W ing Chun. That has been the essential reason for which I started traveling around the world simply to ask questions... and those questions have given me many interesting answers...


The Salvador Sรกnchez Column


n my last trip to Hong Kong I had the opportunity of interviewing a GRAND MASTER of VING TSUN: Sifu Roland Tong. With the invaluable help of a good friend, Danny Chang, we managed to organize a meeting at the AVTA (Athletic Ving Tsun Association) in Hong Kong, and I must admit that we had a really enjoyable time. Although I usually feel excellently treated and welcome in the all schools in Hong Kong, I am obliged to say that Sifu Roland Tong made me spend one of the most pleasant moments that I remember in a long time. Close, kind, humble but FIRM in his principles and knowledge. I was greatly pleased by his personal treatment and very surprised by the high level and deep knowledge of Sifu Roland Tong. As the old saying goes, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Sifu Roland Tong is one of Ving Tsun's GREATS and so we should recognize it. From this Wing Chun Colum, in my name and in the name of all those who make my team, I want to pay my respect to the figure of Sifu Roland Tong and thank him for everything he offered us that day: an unforgettable session of Pure Yip Man Ving Tsun and some really interesting reflections on the Art. Sifu Roland Tong was a direct disciple and very close to Grand Master Yip Man and therefore an authorized voice to tell us about the recent history of the style, and pose clear foundations on the Ving Tsun system. In addition, and because of his proximity to Yip Man, Sifu Roland Tong has

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The Salvador Sรกnchez Column hundreds of personal anecdotes and experiences next to his Sifu. A priori, I found it very interesting to interview him and meet him in person. After the interview, I must say that I am absolutely delighted to have met Sifu Roland Tong. In addition, the fact of having had the opportunity of practicing with him, to receive his corrections in some interesting aspects of the practice, such as forms, position and structure, his advice... is something that makes us rate this interview as one of the best and most interesting of all those we have done in recent years. Definitely a GREAT of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun. Roland Tong receives us in the Athletic Hong Kong Association and kindly invites us to sit beside him and enjoy an excellent Chinese tea. We begin to chat gladly, and without even having started the interview, he already gives us some very interesting details about the way of practicing, forms, combat concepts, etc. In short, it couldn't have started any better. After the interview, we had the opportunity to practice Chi San with him and watch him perform the Muk Yak Chong form. He'd accept all kinds of questions without any limit... To be corrected and advised on all these aspects and get the chance to receive really useful advice from someone who has drunk directly at the fountain of knowledge of Grand Master Yip Man is something you can never pay for. Simply by his humbleness and his generosity with us, we can recognize the greatness of a person. From these pages we wish to express once again our heartfelt thanks and pay our respects to him.


The Salvador Sånchez Column Salvador Sanchez: Thank you very much, Sifu Roland Tong. It's an HONOR to be able to interview you. Budo International: Dear Master, thank you for receiving us. It's such a joy to meet you in person and I feel thrilled of being able to interview you here, at the Athletic Ving Tsun Association (The Association that Grand Master Yip Man founded). Sifu Roland Tong: No need to thank me, it’s a pleasure. But please, make yourselves welcome. Budo International: We know you were one of the closest disciples to Grand Master Yip Man. That's why we were greatly interested in interviewing you and listening to your experiences. How long did you train with Grandmaster Yip Man? Sifu Roland Tong: At first I studied the system for about four years or so, but my relationship with Sifu Yip Man continued for much longer. I had the good fortune to live with him for many years and I could tell many anecdotes and stories of Yip Man. It was definitely something great for me. Budo International: In general, how do you see the current level of Ving Tsun around the world?


The Salvador Sรกnchez Column Sifu Roland Tong: Really it isn't very high. The level of practitioners has a lot to do with the masters who teach today. And I must say that the level is quite low due mainly to the low level of understanding of the principles, and especially to the misinterpretation of some practitioners. You can see it in many things, but especially in forms. When I observe Wing Chun practitioners execute forms I can see enough technical incorrectness and a wrong interpretation on their part. It's sad, but that's the way it is. And Hong Kong is no different than the rest of the world. Of course there are some practitioners who do Wing Chun very well, but in general, the current level and dynamics are not too good. Budo International: It's funny, but since the films about Yip Man's life appeared, the system has incredibly grown worldwide. Do you think that this is something good for the art, or, on the contrary, you don't believe that it's too positive? Sifu Roland Tong: There's an upside and a downside to everything. But even though Wing Chun has grown a lot from these movies, it should be noted that what people see in those movies is NOT Yip Man Ving Tsun. There are many people who go to see those films and then want to practice what they've seen on the screen. As everything in life, it has two parts, one good and another not so good.


Budo International: Do you think that Wing Chun in general is worse than 30 years ago? Sifu Roland Tong: Without a doubt. The level thirty years ago was much better. We were few practitioners, but we spent hours and hours practicing and correcting for improvement. Yip Man was very demanding as to how the forms should be performed and how to apply the techniques. And so, my school brothers and I dedicated many hours to our daily training. Budo International: When you speak of misinterpreting the principles or techniques, what do you exactly mean? Sifu Roland Tong: Well ... you can see it in many details. For example, people talk about the "one inch punch", referring to the force used by a fist at a short distance in the demonstrations that Bruce Lee used to carry out; but the "one inch punch" concept is not a tactic ONLY for the fist. The idea of the force in


The Salvador Sรกnchez Column short distance must be in each and every of the movements of the Wing Chun. In short, the "one inch punch" is in EVERY technique in Wing Chun!! If we talk about other elements, like "Tan Sau", we must understand the importance of the positions and the angles. I think that little attention is paid to these details and it's precisely in these small things where the Art begins to deteriorate: positions and angles. The theories of Yip Man Ving Tsun are precise and must be trained with maximum precision. Budo International: Can you explain more about these concepts? Sifu Roland Tong: Every move we make has to have that energy of the famous "one inch punch". When we perform any of the movements we must fill them with that energy. That is why the body position and the position of the techniques are very important. All this must be conveniently trained. Budo International: What does Siu Nin Tao mean to you? Sifu Roland Tong: Siu Nin Tao is everything in Wing Chun. It is the basis of the system. Budo International: Chum Kiu Tao? Sifu Roland Tong: In Chum Kiu Tao you practice shifting the posture "MA" in different directions. But if Siu Nin Tao and the horse position are not good, Chum Kiu Tao will not be good either. That is why Siu Nin Tao should be practiced every day in the right way and paying close attention to the details Budo International: Biu Jee Tao?


Sifu Roland Tong: It is the third form where major attacks and as well very important techniques are performed. In the practice of Biu Jee Tao, the way to generate force is especially flexible. Very important to fight against enemies who do not practice Wing Chun Budo International: The Six Point and a Half Pole? Sifu Roland Tong: Important for Body Structure Budo International: Bart Cham Dao? Sifu Roland Tong: In the Bart Cham Dao you practice displacements and angles. The right position and the angle of entry are important elements in this set, besides being very important for the strength of the wrists and arms. Budo International: But some teachers say that Biu Jee Tao and Bart Cham Dao are pretty much the same thing. What do you think?


Sifu Roland Tong: That is not so. They have nothing to do with each other. They are different things. Budo International: (Scarcely have I finished my question when Sifu Roland Tong is already on his feet and starts showing us each and every one of the points of the interview. With great mastery, he performs the form of Wooden Dummy (Muk Yak Chong). He practices "Poon Sao" with us and explains to us some important elements about the position and the angle.) Thank you for receiving us, Master Tong. It has been a great pleasure to listen to you and observe your amazing level in Ving Tsun. It’s been a great pleasure listening to you and seeing your amazing level in Ving Tsun. We look forward to having the opportunity of visiting you again and continuing to receive your advice. THANKS VERY MUCH! Sifu Roland Tong: Thank you for coming. Sifu Roland Tong is a disciple of Grand Master Yip Man and currently teaches at the AVTA (Athletic Ving Tsun Association in Hong Kong) If you want to contact him for any reason, we will be happy to provide you with his contact information. Definitely a BIG of the Yip Man Ving Tsun in Hong Kong RESPECT!


In this DVD, G.M. Larry Tatum (10th Dan) develops techniques of the Kenpo program at the highest level. Particularly, some of his “favorites” like Flashing Mace, Parting Wings, Entwined Lance… Masterfully executed and based on the experience of the movement, G.M. Tatum incorporates his innovative teachings in these techniques that will help you add and complement your training in the Kenpo system. Besides, they provide the individual with the best choice for selfdefense, based on the logical and practical thinking, and place him in the path of understanding the art of Kenpo. These are the self-defense and fighting systems of the modern times we live in. They are designed so that the practitioner gets all the benefits that training these techniques can provide. This DVD has the support of Master Adolfo Luelmo (9th Dan), who goes on with a series of techniques performed in a smooth and strong way, for situations of extreme aggression, in which can be appreciated different states of the movement, in a logical and effective way. As a conclusion, Master Camacho Assisi (8th Dan), displays a technique that combines the strength of the arms and his expertise with legs.

REF.: • DVD/LARRY4

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


Combat Hapkido TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD Twenty-five years‌ a quarter century. This year the International Combat Hapkido Federation, the organization I founded in 1992 to str uctur e, r egulate and pr omote our Martial Art, celebrates its 25th anniversary. While in terms of human longevity 25 years may not seem like a long time and, in fact, we look at someone of that age as a very young man or woman, in terms of longevity of a martial art organization the ICHF can be considered an old institution.


Combat Hapkido It is common knowledge in the martial arts industry that new associations, federation and “governing bodies” are formed and launched almost every day, only to quickly dissolve and disappear. And, all too often, the “founders” of those organizations disappear with some of the hard-earned money of the innocent Martial Arts Instructors who had the misfortune of joining them. Usually, what remains is a trail of worthless paper, broken promises and bitter disappointments. n contrast, over the past 25 years, the ICHF has established an impeccable record for stability, credibility and substance. It is a record of which I am extremely proud. And, just to put it in a historical perspective, I will offer some interesting statistics. In order to be authorized to teach our specific system, Combat Hapkido, and receive our certificates of rank, a Martial Arts school (club or gym) must affiliate with the ICHF as a a Charter member and, since our founding, we have issued over 650 Charters in 35 Countries. We have certified over 2500 Black Belts and almost 300 Master Instructors. And we are now in the process of promoting our first generation of Grandmasters. The ICHF, Combat Hapkido and the Founder have been featured in over 500 newspaper and magazine articles, including 25 cover features. We have been in many radio and TV interviews. We have also been included in several Martial Arts history books and TV documentaries. And we have had the honor of having been inducted in over 20 Martial Arts Hall of Fame around the world. In March 1999, Combat Hapkido was formally accredited and registered as an official, legitimate “Kwan”(true Martial Art style) by the World Ki-Do Federation, an organization sanctioned and chartered by the Korean government. I was recognized as the historical Founder of the Style and the ICHF as its only legitimate governing body. What made that particular achievement so remarkable is that it was the first time that a Hapkido style founded by a non-Korean in the USA was granted such honor and recognition. A real historical landmark in Korean Martial Arts. The reason I cite these statistics is not to brag (OK, maybe just a little), but to highlight the difference between a firmly established organization with a truly documented history, a long record of achievements and an international reputation, and the many so-called “associations” founded by self-promoted “Grandmasters” of non-existing (or hastily thrown together) “styles”. Those flight-by-night organizations only serve two purposes: To feed the unrestrained, immature ego of the founders and, at the same time, to provide them with easy, undeserved income. Both aims are accomplished primarily by selling worthless certifications to

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“Over the years, I have been approached literally hundreds of times by students and Instructors, asking us to “recognize” their useless, fake certificates.”


“Twenty-five years…. a quarter century. It took all that time and lots of hard work and sacrifices to get were we are”


Combat Hapkido unsuspecting (or uncaring!) students and instructors. What I mean by “worthless” is the kind of certificate that is not respected nor accepted by most reputable Masters and that is not accredited, sanctioned or recognized by any serious, legitimate, official Martial Arts governing body. Often, the issuing “association”, its founder and the “style” itself, disappear from the scene after a few months or, at most, a few years. Over the years, I have been approached literally hundreds of times by students and Instructors, asking us to “recognize” their useless, fake certificates. Only in rare cases or in some extremely special circumstances we are able to help and “fix” the damage. The majority must face the fact that they used poor judgment, made a bad decision and now must invest time, effort and money to “earn” valid credentials. Some, however, got exactly what they deserve. They were looking for a shortcut or for a cheap alternative to the real thing. They saved time and money and believed that it would be just as good until… they realized that what they had was… nothing. I am sure that a few knew what they were getting but didn’t care. They just wanted some paper, any paper, to hang on the


Combat Hapkido wall. They even figured that eventually they would find someone, somewhere, who would be foolish, compassionate or greedy enough to accept that paper and transform it into a real legitimate certificate. Another interesting aspect of all this, is that, indirectly, we have been responsible for inspiring, even creating, some of those “styles” and associations because several were started by our former students. We began observing this phenomenon in the mid-1990s and it continues to the present time. Those “spin-offs” of Combat Hapkido come in two types: the first (and most common) is simply our style, our curriculum, technique by technique, absolutely identical and unchanged, but with a different name invented by our former student, now a “founder”. The second type is made-up of “styles” also with different names but teaching essentially the same Combat Hapkido material although with a few minor, mainly cosmetic changes to give the impression of “new and improved”. Usually, when some of our senior instructors discover (for example on the internet) or learn about those “spin-offs” they get angry and want to publicly expose and denounce the perpetrators. My policy, however, has always been “live and let live”. I have never felt threatened by former students plagiarizing our material (it’s actually kind of flattering) or forming their own association. In fact, I have found some of the names chosen for their “new styles” so amusing that I cannot resist giving you a few examples: There has been “Modern Hapkido” (this student left us after receiving his 5th Dan because he wanted to go back to Traditional Hapkido!?); “Tactical Hapkido” (founded by a young man who had never been in the Military or in Police work); “Defensive Hapkido” (as opposed to offensive?); “Urban Hapkido” (as opposed to suburban?); “Progressive Hapkido” (as opposed to regressive?); “Conceptual Hapkido” (as opposed to practical?); “Practical Hapkido” (as opposed to impractical? or maybe to conceptual?); "Dynamic Hapkido" (as opposed to static?). The list goes on but I think we have had enough fun.


Combat Hapkido You cannot build a reputation overnight. You cannot earn the respect of your peers by just placing an advertisement in a magazine. You cannot establish legitimacy by inventing your own credentials. You cannot gain credibility by bad-mouthing or degrading others. You cannot be honored by dishonoring your profession. You cannot claim creativity if all you do is to shamelessly copy the work of others. Twenty-five years…. a quarter century. It took all that time and lots of hard work and sacrifices to get were we are; to build one of the oldest and most respected Martial Arts organizations in the world; to earn our place in the community of our peers. So, now the question may be: where do we go from here? What do we want to accomplish in the next twenty-five years? And this is a great opportunity and the perfect forum to announce to the international Martial Arts community some of the goals we have set for the ICHF: • For the next five years we will continue aggressive recruitment of sincere, competent, dedicated Martial Arts Instructors with good programs to become Charter members of the ICHF and teach our style in their communities. After five years, we will limit our growth by reducing the number of new schools coming into the ICHF every year. It will become more difficult and require higher fees to be accepted. We wish to remain an “elite”, prestigious organization, focusing on quality, not quantity.

• We are looking for representatives in more Countries around the world. Many will have the opportunity to become Martial Arts pioneers by being the first to introduce and teach our style in their Country. • We are building a strong infrastructure of Masters & Grandmasters to establish a network that will sustain, maintain and grow the ICHF long into the future. • We are producing new technical material to remain at the cutting-edge of Martial Arts and SelfDefense instruction. • We continue to upgrade and modernize our administrative functions with the latest technology, to save our members precious time and money. • We continue to expand our presence in the martial arts community with the use of social media and other communications resources. Other specific goals and plans will be formulated over time and will be announced when ready. I also reserve the right to make changes when necessary, as I believe that a strong leader of a dynamic organization must always remain flexible. In closing, we are looking for good Martial Artists seriously interested in joining us in our exciting journey into the next twenty-five years. If you want to talk to us please contact us at DSI, Inc. email: info@dsihq.com or visit our website at: www.dsihq.com

“You cannot build a reputation overnight. You cannot earn the respect of your peers by just placing an advertisement in a magazine.”


In this first DVD of "Wind Warriors XXI", Master Rui Ribeiro presents a work that anyone can do, in traditional martial arts and combat sports, to improve your health, your techniques and your way of working both in training and in combat. EVIDENCE, REFERENCE and CONTROL IN MARTIAL ARTS, COMBAT SPORTS and LIFE, MAN MOST BE WILD, NATURAL and PREPARED. Show no afraid. Touch your body. Make a relation with your Spirit. Take your time to understand the values of what you are. Feel the diferences of your constitution. The way that your brain act. External signals exist to notify you against further errors. Understand the signals, the relation of body and soul, the relation with others, with your senses. KIND of NATURE / KIND of REASON Kind of Evolution achievements / Kind of Systems. All it's on you. Make your body an empty place. In the exercise of nothing only spirit can be attacked, if you loose natural instinct. OSS

Ref.: • DVD/RIBeIRO-1 All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師 The birth of the Samurai class in the HEIAN PERIOD his period is especially known for having been the period of glory of the Japanese aristocracy, as well as the period of transformation and adaptation of cultural elements, hitherto copied from China. In this way, we can affirm that it was at that time when the cultural and artistic characteristics began to acquire Japanese features. In writing, it was created the Kana alphabet with its two systems: Hiragana and Katakana. Thus, everyone could now learn to write their thoughts, even women. Prominent writers like Murasaki Shikibu, Sei Shonagon and others, gave Japan, memorable literary works. Brush calligraphy developed, as did the Waka - poetry of 31 syllables. In compensation, politics and administration of that period are marked by rivalries among the noble class and the preponderance of Buddhist monks. Seeking to get rid of all these drawbacks, emperor Kanmu constructed in 794 the city of Kyoto, in order to move the nation's capital. He then reformed politics, abolishing compulsory military service and banning the intervention of monks as well as transferring of their temples from Nara to Kyoto.

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However, these changes didn't produced the results he expected, because the farmland, economic base of the country, remained in the hands of large landowners by a law that allowed the donation of lands to those who cleaned them up and prepared them for culturing. Landowners and ecclesiastics paid farmers to work for them in order to extend their fields and enlarge their estates. Many peasants were pressured to yield their lands and to work sharing profits with the owners. Even regional officials became landowners. The aristocrats and priests didn't pay taxes and, in order to enjoy that same privilege, the landowners collaborated with the elite, formally donating their lands. The consequence of that was an elite whose political influence allowed them to be rightful owners of the lands. Landowners kept the administration and the only thing that farmers still had was the work of their arms. With the fall of the tax collection, an economic crisis in the imperial court began. In addition to this, the Fujiwara family, descendant of Nakatomi no Kamatari (collaborator of the Taika reform), gained great influence in the court, when the leader of the family, that was then Yoshifussa, became the father-in-law of the emperor.

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Traditions of Japan When his nine year old grandson ascended to the throne, he named himself his regent and passed to rule the country, preventing further transformations. Later, Mototsune, Yoshifussa's adopted son, expelled emperor Yossei of the throne and named a new emperor. For many years, the government was in hands of this family, so the interest for the administration declined gradually, favoring the action of pirates and criminals, who took advantage of that moment of political disorder. Without a police force to maintain law and order, and having to organize their own defenses, the great estates formed groups of armed fighters, capable of preventing the losses. Those would be the first samurai. Young people selected from resident families were trained in the military arts and those first fighters gave rise to the warrior class. Later, they were organized into groups and commanded by descendants of noble families or by regional officials. At the end of the eleventh century, the former emperor regained the reins of power, while the Fujiwara family had lost all its prestige. A diarchy was established and soon began the conflicts between the new emperor and the old emperor, in which the warlike groups Heishi and Genji stood out militarily and politically. When they were called to the capital to take charge of the surveillance tasks in both the city and the Imperial Palace, they took sides in the revolution. The struggle between them would soon be the center of the political movement, a fact that favored the general atmosphere of the nation toward a subsequent military dictatorship.

“Young people selected from resident families were trained in the military arts and those first fighters gave rise to the warrior class.”

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Traditions of Japan The Heishi, formed by the Taira clan, initially victorious, started to exert the political and administrative power. But in 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo, son of one of the Genji commanders, who had been killed in action, raised an army and attacked the opposing clan. His brothers Yoshitsune and Noriyori joined the movement to assist him, and the Heishis, though with a large army, were completely defeated due to the absence of discipline and training. Minamoto no Yoshitsune became famous for being a samurai of great bravery and for his effective strategies. Known as a great feudal warrior, his life was tragic and ephemeral, as usually is the life of a hero. His childhood name was "Ushiwaka-maru". His father had died shortly after his birth, so at age seven he was sent to a temple. There, at age 16, his life would be marked by popularity after beating a warrior monk named Benkei, with great skill and strength. The story goes that when Benkei attacked Ushiwakamaru, with the goal of achieving his thousandth victory for the conquering of swords as trophies, despite his high ability, the monk failed to defeat the young man. From then on, Benkei became a vassal of Ushiwaka-maru, accompanying him even in death, as a proof of fidelity. In the battlefield he made a name for himself in the conquest of Ichi no Tani, whose valley, surrounded by steep rock formations, had a fortress built by the Heishis. Attacking from the rear, the young commander and his men, guided by the local hunters, descended on horseback a rugged decline and fell upon the enemy surprising them. By this fact, considered almost impossible and by the success defeating his adversaries, Yoshitsune's fame increased even more, arising the envy and jealousy of other Guenji commanders, including his brother Yoritomo.

“Minamoto no Yoshitsune became famous for being a samurai of great bravery and for his effective strategies. Known as a great feudal warrior, his life was tragic and ephemeral, as is usually the life of a hero.”

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Yoritomo, realizing that his brother could end up taking the absolute control of the Genji, named Kajiwara no Kagetoki commander in chief, which led to disagreements. The commander in chief, by means of slander against the young hero, managed to convince Yoritomo to order to kill him. His disappearance is full of legends ... One of these legends claims that he was persecuted and killed at 31 years of age. Another says that he crossed the Pacific and fled to Mexico; and there are those who believe that he didn't go to Mexico, but to Mongolia, where he changed his name to Genghis Khan. In one way or another, the glorious victory of the Genji group made possible the rise of the first samurai hero, who earned the admiration of the Japanese population as a whole. As far as Buddhism was concerned, new sects emerged, and the teachings suitable to attend to the needs of the population caused a religious renewal. Throughout his lifetime, the samurai could be known by a number of names. Much to the confusion of historians, this tradition occasionally required a number of labels and ceremonies, so that the names of a samurai could be changed. Each name carried with it a meaning of its own, as we shall see below. Samurais from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century, offer us the best documented examples.

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Traditions of Japan At birth, a samurai was given a name, by which he would be recognized until he participated in the ceremony of the age. That name was occasionally chosen by its sound or simply by fantasy. It is known that Takeda Shingen was born with the name of Katsuchiyo, or "1000 Successive Victories", or, simply, "Everlasting Victories". These childhood names were often linked to a domestic issue or propitiated by a customary appellative. For example, the eldest son, according to the traditions of the time, was known as "Taro", the second, "Jiro" and the third, "Saburo".

Childhood names of famous Samurais: Masamune: Bontenmaru Ii Naomasa: Manchiyo Kobayakawa Takakage: Tokyujumaru Mori Motonari: Shojumaru Sanada Yukimura: Gobenmaru Takeda Shingen: Katsuchiyo Tokugawa Ieyasu: Takechiyo Tokugawa Hidetada: Nagamaru Uesugi Kenshin: Torachiyo

“Throughout his lifetime, the samurai could be known by a number of names. Much to the confusion of historians, this tradition occasionally required a number of labels and ceremonies, so that the names of a samurai could be changed. Each name carried with it a meaning of its own.�


Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Traditions of Japan A samurai received his “first adult name” by attending the age ceremony, when he turned 14. That name almost always consisted of two characters, one hereditary of the family and another that could be given to him as a gift, after an important personage (including the Shogun), or simply by choice. The hereditary character was frequent, but it didn't necessarily have to be present in the father's name. Frequently, a number of characters could be associated with a similar date, changing over time. To illustrate this section, the Mori character, for example, was very present from the middle of the fourteenth century until the seventeenth century. Torachika... Sadachika... Chikahira... Motoharu... Hirofusa... Mitsufusa... Hiromoto... Okimoto... Motonari... Takamoto... Terumoto or Mori, also provide an example of present characters. Mori Okimoto (older brother of the most famous Motonari), received the "Oki" after the name of the powerful Ouchi YoshiOKI, a daimyo whose lands were only to the West. Mori Takamoto, son of Motonari, received the Taka appellative by a matter of etiquette. A native of YoshiTAKA, the son of Yoshioki, Terumoto, received in turn the Teru from the name of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru. Having obtained the Ashikaga Shogunate so much political force, the addition of Teru to one's name was considered to be an honor, on receiving as prize a character of the name of the Shogun. Another daimyo known for having received the honor of having an ideogram of the Shogun was Asakura Yoshikage.

“In addition to his childhood names and his adult name, a samurai could also get to acquire a religious name.”

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


ジ


Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師

Traditions of Japan Imagawa YOSHImoto Matsunaga HisaHIDE Shimazu YOSHIhisa Takeda HARUnobu (Shingen) Uesugi TERUtora (Kenshin) Some samurais, especially lords, could opt to change the ideograms in their names, at some point in their lives, often as a result of a kind of reward, as mentioned above. Occasionally, this change of name could be carried out in a casual event or for Such reward could sometimes be extended to a family privilege. Masamune, for example, received the name of "Toyotomi Hideyoshi, from the honorable "Hashiba" family. During the year 1590, he remained all the time near Tokugawa (Matsudaira) Ieyasu, and as a way of demonstrating his loyalty, he changed his family name to Matsudaira in a gesture of faithfulness. Uesugi Kenshin provides us with a nice example of the various reasons why a daimyo could change his name. Originally called Nagao Kagetora, when he was later honored by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru he changed his name to Terutora (since Kenshin was exceptionally faithful to Ashikaga). Again, he changed his name to Masatora, when he was adopted by Uesugi Norimasa, approximately in 1551. In addition to his childhood names and his adult name, a samurai could also get to acquire a religious name. Certainly, the name Kenshin is the best known and this gives us an example of a Buddhist name. Many samurais adopted Buddhist names at some point in their lives, at least nominally, wearing a monk habit and shaving their heads off. Some daimyo stuck to the custom more seriously than others, being Kenshin one of them.


Traditions of Japan The following names are known examples of daimyos who adopted Buddhism names (their secular names in parentheses): Asakura Soteki (Norikage) HŌJŌ Soun (Nagauji) Ikeda Shonyū (Nobuteru) Maeda Gen-eu (Munehisa) Miyoshi Chokei (Nagayoshi) Ota DŌKAN (Sukenaga) Ōtomo Sorin (Yoshishige) Takeda Shingen (Harunobu) Uesugi Kenshin (Terutora) Yamana Sozen (Mochitoyo)

“Many samurais adopted Buddhist names at some point in their lives, at least nominally, wearing a monk habit and shaving their heads off.”


Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


By the middle of the sixteenth century, in Japan some samurais had converted to Christianity and were baptized with a Western name. Although rarely used today as a reference for a particular figure, such adoption was not uncommon. The following names are examples of famous samurai and their Spanish Christian names: Gamo Ujisato: Don León Konishi Yukinaga: Don Agustino Kuroda Yoshitaka: Don Simeón Omura Sumitada: Don Bartolomé Ōtomo Sorin: Don Francisco Takayama Ukon: Don Justo Finally, the known names of certain samurais included their titles or the positions they occupied. Here are some examples:

“A samurai received his “first adult name” by attending the age ceremony, when he turned 14. That name almost always consisted of two characters, one hereditary of the family and another that could be given to him as a gift, after an important personage (including the Shogun), or simply by choice.”

Shidoshi Jordan Augusto ジョルダン・アウグスト指導師


Furuta Oribe (Shigenari) Takayama Ukon (Shigetomo) Yamamoto Kansuke (Haruyuki) Yamanaka Shikanosuke (YukiMôri) Occasionally, a samurai could be referred to by the province he occupied, as a result of the honorific title "lord of..." (...no kami). The last name a samurai could have was the name of death, given to him after decease took place. It would be a name of spirit and in some cases, a name to indicate his total commitment to God. This could happen in ceremonies and referring to the lineage of ancestors. Here are some famous samurai and the names of their ancestors: Ōtomo Sorin: Sanhisai Takeda Shingen: HŌSHO-IN Tokugawa Ieyasu: Tosho-daigongen Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Hokoku daimyōjin Uesugi Kenshin: SŌSHIN

“The last name a samurai could have was his name of death, given to him after his passing. It would be a spiritual name and, in some cases, a name to indicate his total commitment to God.”


The Raúl Gutiérrez Column "Do not bite off more than you can chew" Throughout my life I have lived different experiences, like any other human being. My dear father, may he rest in peace, always guided me through the right path, according to his personal experience and his love for me. He was a man who lived a "HARD LIFE". Only his death was sweet, perhaps because, at least, he deserved that. I come from a world in which the circumstances were difficult, a world of hard realities, states of siege, miseries, rationing, bartering so that "you and yours" could survive... On a sporting and martial level, in those tough times I practiced Judo, Boxing, Karate, Kenpo, Full-Contact, Kick-Boxing and Police Self Defense. But what really marked me and has prevailed throughout my existence, was the reality of the street. Those were hard years in every respect. Everything was much harder to get back then. However, all that gave us a formation that today is almost disappearing. Times have changed a lot... too much, I'd say! Ethics, morals and other human values are scarcely practiced. The lack of honor, of word, of honesty and dignity, of firm purposes, seem to be the schools of today. Corruption in all areas, ambition, hypocrisy, outrages, abuse, lies, falsehood, forgeries, etc., is becoming more and more fashionable. It's becoming a vicious circle, a loop! Today people think, and what is worse, firmly believe, that because your neighbor "steals", you also have to be a thief. They believe that in order to succeed in modern society, if you steal, you have to steal a lot, and it's possible that you don't even get to tread the jail. And if you do, then you will have enough money to bribe lawyers, judges, police, politicians, etc. If you ever step in jail, you won't stay there too long, and in that time you will live as if you were residing in a luxury hotel, with luxury meals and luxury drinks, and special treatment in almost every aspect. Later, when you leave prison, you’ll go through every national or foreign television channel, will write your memoirs and you’ll be treated as if you were a personality of the world of art, like a great singer or a star of the silver screen. This is highly pernicious for mankind and the planet in general. A few, those in high political, business and banking positions are the ones who divert, steal, defraud and embezzle indiscriminately, impoverishing and ruining our countries, and then demanding from the population more and more oppressive taxes that will drown us and push to despair trying to get out of embargoes, debts and miseries of which we are not directly responsible. In my opinion, every politician, banker, businessman or corrupt professional should go to jail and be forced to return every penny he has unduly taken. No reduction of minor penalties. And if they don't do it because they have the money well hidden or camouflaged in tax havens, fictitious accounts or a figurehead, these should "enjoy a life sentence." Maybe this way, things would change for the better. And I don't want to talk about applying torture like in the old times. Nowadays, with the "human rights", law itself is limited and, of course, the most benefited ones are always the bad guys. We are living in a wrong society, out of place, without common sense and plagued by scoundrels.


"Cowards only threat when they are safe" I was born in 1950, and in 76 I came to Europe, not fleeing, because for me, like for Maùo people (natives of Aragón, in Spain), "running is for cowards". I came of my own accord, when I realized that I could be a danger to myself and to my loved ones, or anybody around me. I knew death and its various forms from my early years. As a child I learned that sometimes life is worthless, and that any man, no matter how tall, strong or handsome he might look, is as weak as the weakest of the group. I have met seemingly strong characters who in real circumstances turned out to be the weakest. And on the contrary, I've met more than a small and apparently weak person, who later, when push comes to shove, has proved to be the greatest and most surprising quarrelsome "son-of-a-gun". In short, I came in search of a supposed "Better World", a society with less violence and savagery than the one in which I was born, brought up, studied and worked until I was 26 years old. It was the moment in which I understood that not being a bad person, someday I could become that, simply because it was the environment in which I had been raised. And such atmosphere, by my own structure, normal, and with a peaceful character, on several occasions, the circumstances and the strong need to subsist, forced me to cause much harm to those who tried to harm me. My beloved father, may he rest in peace, taught me from an early age not to be afraid of anything, much less of "wandering spirits", explaining to me in his own way, many things about it. "Those you should keep an eye on and be careful about are the human beings themselves. - he used to tell me - It's living beings those who are bold and capable of hurting you or causing you the greatest damage�. His teachings since childhood have always helped me on my way in life. He was a very determined man, strong, hard, disciplined, correct and, above all, honest; a man of principles, humble and consistent; a man of his word; in short, a man of HONOR. Thank you father, wherever you are!


I was only 15 when, during Christmas holidays, one night I met with a group of friends from the neighborhood at the corner of my street to have a good time, laugh and say goodbye to the year. That was an unforgettable night for several reasons. We were all teenagers; it was Christmas, New Year, etc. The next day, the smallest and "seemingly innocent" of us had stabbed to DEATH an adult man during a stupid argument out of place. I had argued with an uncle of mine whom I even had threatened because he had been "too clever" with Armando, my best friend. I felt relieved to defend my friend, but annoyed and embarrassed for having confronted my uncle. A few days later, while I was walking along a lonely street in the neighborhood, I saw live how the Police shot to death a neighbor with whom I had coincided the day before. And you may be asking yourselves: But in what place of the world were you living? I already told you, I was living in a very violent place, but after running around the world, I found that there were worse places. As they say, there is always something worse, and sometimes, even surrounded by shit, it's better to stay still, because at least, there you feel warm. I have already said on other occasions, and I repeat it now, that if you are not at ease where you are, or how you are, then try to make changes in your life. For that you must have everything cleared up and orderly, pay your debts or at least commit yourself to do it later, and then comply with your commitment. After that, look for a place where you would like to live and focus on what you want to become or improve. Get ready and take the big leap of your life. You will never regret it. Of course, nothing is easy in life and everything has a price. But you must persist, without frightening on the first, the second or the third failure. Fight positively, because in that process you will be forming yourself, growing, lear ning and maturing. Sometimes lucky streaks give us a good push. But do not forget that everything comes and goes. Usually, when things go well, we rely too much on our good luck or


star forgetting that the rainy days come again when we least expect it. When things are going well, you have to enjoy them and make them last longer. And when things go wrong, you must try to fight with great force to get out of the rut as soon as possible. Finally, I'd like to mention that the old saying "Do not bite off more than you can chew" makes sense also in all the aspects of life. And in relation to sports or Martial Arts, in my opinion, and I say this with full knowledge of the facts, I have met certain characters in our world, who are constantly jumping from one style to another or making different mixes. They are never satisfied with what they do, and therefore they never get to be really good at anything. They've always been mediocre in everything they've tried. It doesn't matter how political they can be, or how well they know to sell themselves or sell their product, at the moment of demonstrating it, they fall by the wayside. And the reason is very simple: all the great and most outstanding athletes of the world are good, mainly because of their special gifts and personal characteristics (of course, for a specific sport, be it Table tennis, Tennis, Soccer, Golf, etc.), as well as the great musicians are particularly great in a single Instrument, call it Guitar, Flute, Quena, Piano, etc., because of their special musical talents, and although each and every one of them normally can play other instruments, their virtuosity manifests itself usually in one. The athletes before mentioned, by hobby or pleasure, may also practice other disciplines, but they don't manage to be champions in those sports that are not their real specialty. Thus, among the Martial Arts or combat sports professionals that I've met, only a few such as Bill Wallace, Benny Urquidez or Dominique Valera, for example, could have been good in any modality of combat simply because they " THEY ARE SPECIAL". But here, like in the music, we are talking of a similar field: COMBAT. But here, as in the music, it's also a question of a similar field: the COMBAT. "One of the greatest proofs of mediocrity is not being able to recognize the superiority of others" Jean Baptiste Say (1767-1832) French economist.


In our slang, we usually call "Papa Frita" ("chips"), to the plain and ordinary people that never get to be good at anything and keep flying around pecking everywhere. They have absolutely no sense of the ridiculous. The little respect and understanding that they might have gained at some point in their lives, they lose it again when they change sides. But it doesn't matter, they feel no shame whatsoever. I can remember quite a few anecdotes that occurred during the course of my martial life, traveling around the world and observing some martial artists, which have proven to me that those who really know how to make a good use of their small or big resources, are generally those who move on with dignity, those who overcome obstacles, win tournaments o are applauded in their demonstrations. I know some Tae-Kwon Do practitioners who are just wonderful. They all kick with great skill, however, only a few achieve to break the mold and show a very high scale. That happens in all styles and, logically, also in my own. Most of them simply learn and that's all, they transmit nothing or little, whereas a few others stand out, and some of them manage to surprise me because they surpass themselves, surpass me and become themselves. That is the question. That is the art. What's the use of going from style to style, now fists, now legs, later fists and legs, then ground fighting... if you are not good at anything? The sense of the old saying "Do not bite off more than you can chew" applies here, where it finds its natural place with overwhelming logic. "If you're not good at anything, you'll be the best of the bad ones in everything." Being a good martial artist is to use the best of yourself and the means you have at your disposal. There are people lacking both arms who paint great works with their toes, or play different musical instruments. Be consistent with yourself. Be reasonable, honest and persistent. Be worthy, and if all you're fit for is walking around, then you better get yourself a dog. He will be your best companion and will love you, will forgive your faults and instead of laughing at you, will lick you with joy and warmth. So long, folks!


The Raúl Gutiérrez Column


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All the cunning of the "Fox" JosÊ Vicente Eguzkiza’s name is a legend in recent European Kick Boxing history. His 102 victories and only 1 single defeat are still a spectacular record today. He belongs to an epic period in Kick Boxing, times that we would all like to see come back, when the very names of the champions created fireworks amongst the fans.


“His Samurai mentality would have been appreciated tremendously today on the Japanese circuits where they adore this type of personality.”

“It is true that each person has an inner energy around him that is transmitted in the first exchange and that you notice straight away (and you had better pick up on it, or else!).”


he father of the sport of Karate (full contact) Mike Anderson saw him fight in Munich at one of his titles and he commented at the time: "he's for real!" And this is still true! Eguzkiza, tough, direct, cunning, sharp, he’s one hell of a guy. Telling it like it is, JosÊ Vicente is the class of person for whom the word "noble" was invented. He is not interested in superficial glory or the imposition of his truth; he prefers an honest, clean, but totally shrewd fight. His Basque surname (he lives in Navarra) emphasizes a cunning and entertaining person behind a serious facade. He could have had a great career in boxing but he didn't know how to deal with it when they told him that "they would take over his career". His honor was offended when they offered to sell him as a package in the USA, in fact his Samurai mentality would have been

Y


Great Champions


Great Champions

appreciated tremendously today on the Japanese circuits where they adore this type of personality – a person with an unblemished record, a pure warrior and a natural fighter. It was difficult to persuade Eguzkiza to share his knowledge with us on videotape. However, we finally have the first one he has ever made and it has really been worthwhile. He wanted to emphasize a kind of teaching that is not usual and he did not want to repeat a videotape that had already been made, for example: a how to video on techniques. Instead he has concentrated on his own area of combat, strategies and combinations: how to open gaps with cunning, misleading your opponent, and counterattack him by surprise. In sum, he has put all the cunning that has made him famous at our disposition. I am sure that all true lovers of Kick Boxing will have reason to celebrate with this first video DVD by this Super Champion. Although I thought about the possibility of making a videotape some years ago, for one reason or another I never got down to doing the project. The truth is that at that time the only thing that I cared about was winning the next fight. However, now may in fact be the best moment to do it. Because of the maturity that comes with age and the wisdom that comes from experience, I have been able to put together in this


Great Champions


videotape the most important points that govern my interpretation of this beautiful sport competition KickBoxing.

Defense and counterattack assume that most practitioners are more or less familiar with attack techniques. Furthermore this topic has been widely treated. I personally believe that all fighters should know several defenses and counterattacks for each offensive technique, if not, you are nothing in competition Kickboxing.


Great Champions There are fighters that only have two or three effective attack techniques, and if you cancel them and their corresponding responses with a good defense, you end up annulling them and consequently overcoming them. I have made this videotape with my phenomenal student, Ignacio SĂĄnchez (current Savate Champion of the World and Kick-Boxing WKO World Champion), and together we exhibit several defenses and different counterattacks for each attack technique. Some of these techniques are simple ones, and others are more difficult and worked, but I can assure you that I have used them all without exception in the ring, and you can employ them because they are valid winning techniques. At no time have we thought to produce a video for personal enhancement with the objective of performing spectacular techniques that lack realism. Instead we have produced a work based on efficiency with flexibility as well as technical purity.

Learning with videotape Regarding the importance of using videotapes for teaching or learning any subject matter, I have to tell you that I learnt this way. Although it may be difficult to believe, my boxing masters were: Roberto Lasts, Marvin Hagler, Leonard, Tomy Hearns, ArgĂźello, each one with his own style, and all with a great technique. And I received no direct private classes from these Masters, instead I learnt indirectly by


using videotapes of their fights that I studied and analyzed to the finest detail in order to squeeze the last drop of boxing wisdom from them. I have never had a boxing teacher and today I am teaching boxing, not only to amateur boxers, but also to professionals. One of the trainers of the American Free Team has even been one of my students, and all this is thanks to those videotapes and a lot of personal analysis work, and maybe also to a possible genetic predisposition for combat sports. In all the courses that I have given here and there I repeat that the most important work is the personal work that you do, of course based on good technique because if that doesn’t exist then you won’t be a champion. I also have to say that there are some things that cannot be taught, for example; how to teach the sensation of hitting at exactly the right moment to achieve a K.O., or the feeling you get when you face another boxer. It is true that each person has an inner


Great Champions energy around him that is transmitted in the first exchange and that you notice straight away (and you had better pick up on it, or else!). For that reason, you shouldn’t worry when you are alone in the changing room before a fight feeling nervous, because that controlled edginess is what will give you energy and enable you to prepare yourself for the fight so

that you hardly feel the punches, and it will give you speed and power and enable you to find the best in you. I have to tell you that in my last few fights I was worried about that lack of edginess before the fight and so I did some auto-suggestive exercises to feel more nervous, so that I could go out into the ring with the right energy and concentration.

“Physical training is not the only important thing when going into combat, mental training is just as necessary.�


Mental Training Physical training is not the only important thing when going into combat, mental training is just as necessary. How many times do we confront our opponent mentally before we actually encounter him physically? Surely it must be hundreds of times. I usually joke with my students on the topic asking them: How many mental KO's have you already done to your poor opponent?

And we laugh a little. I imagine that everybody mentally visualizes their next fight time and time again as they search for a way to win. I believe that this mental exercise is necessary and it is one more way of training, because in this way we visualize attack and counter attack situations and so on. Personally speaking I used to do this when I was running alone and when I visualized the fight it made me


Great Champions run quicker and quicker until I reached a state of physical suffering which was much greater than if I had not done this.

Knowledge of different styles Everybody knows that in Kickboxing competitions fighters with different styles meet and this brings a wealth of different techniques and tactics. Knowing the background of the fighter that we are about to meet is primordial, if we don't want to be surprised when the bell rings. From the beginning, I realized how important this was and so I devoted myself to learning how to fight in all the styles, firstly, in order to get to know them, and later, to be able to get maximum experience out of them which would help me later on in my professional career. But what are these important differences? We have to start from the premise that there are no two athletes that are the same, although, there are many that look similar to each other, depending on the practice group they come from.


Great Champions For example, a Savate fighter is not the same as a Muay Thai professional, so let us analyze some of the typical characteristics of each style. Savate: this is a technical fighter who is fluid and has a great tactical sense and a very varied technical repertoire. Thai: the Thai fighter is above all tough with a strong offensive mentality, who tends to repeat the basic techniques with great strength. Full-Contact: this is a very fluid fighter, with good combinations and a predilection for using the forward leg. Besides these concise and well-known deductions, it is very important for us to be familiar not only with the fighters, but also with their masters. A master’s work is always reflected in his students and he transmits his techniques, tactical qualities, and sometimes even his frustrations. Who doesn't know that master who was not very brave during his short amateur career, and who nevertheless has very courageous students? Surely this is because he puts more emphasis in his teaching on those areas where he was lacking. Sometimes we make the mistake of wanting our students to do exactly what we do and so we should never forget that each one of them has his own personality, in the ring as well. Returning to the previous topic with respect to the characteristics of each style, we should not diminish the importance of, for example, the speed of reaction of a good karate practitioner who competed in WUKO, and even his analytical capacity to search for an opening, or the specific left hand work of the Soviet school of boxing, which is an exclusive characteristic of fighters from Eastern countries. For the moment when we fight with one opponent or another, all these hallmarks of style can give us a good reference to find the guidelines to follow to get the maximum out of their weakest points. As the phenomenal Cuban boxer Eligio Sardines, known as Kid Chocolate, said in his book entitled: "El boxeo, soy yo" (" I am Boxing"): The good boxer is not the one who wants to be seen to be the bravest. Courage should always be used, but not wasted. If your opponent doesn’t want to box you should force him to fight, and harass him so that he fights where is most uncomfortable. If, on the contrary, he wants to fight you have to box him and hit so that he doesn’t hit you. You have to call the shots and not let him get the upper hand because at the end of the day the one who sets the rules of the game is the one who wins. I agree completely with this master’s advice, and in my humble opinion I would also add that you don’t have to be especially brave to fight in a ring. Obviously you can’t be a coward either, but a normal person can do so without being the most macho person in the neighborhood. Speaking once again of this magnificent boxer, I have to say that I regret not ever having met him personally, when I lived barely 50 meters away from him during the time I resided in Havana. When at last I decided to go and visit him, it was too late and he had already died.


“A person with an unblemished record, a pure warrior and a natural fighter.�


Great Champions In conclusion, I would like to say that over the years I have learnt a lot and although my duty is to teach the techniques and the science of martial arts, I believe it is very much more important to teach your students to be, as we say colloquially, "good people", and I prefer to give up having an important champion on my team, because in the long run this can negatively influence the general atmosphere of the other students at the school because they will hold him up an example. I cannot end this I articulate without naming several of my students who are champions inside and outside of the ring and I dedicate this videotape and this article to them. They are: Erick Castaños of Cuba, resident of Miami and World Champion WKO -67 kilos, Raúl Llopis, also Cuban and residing in Fort Wayne, World Champion -60Kgrs., Gerardo Frometa, WKO and current president of the Cuban Federation, Claudio Pardo from Chile, Paulino Hernandez from Bolivia and without forgetting those here: Pablo Sánchez, Juanjo Morales, the above mentioned Ignacio Sánchez, Julio Vargas, Marcelo...., and others that I would like to name, but cannot. I send them all my best wishes as their teacher and mostly as their friend, because without them my life without would be very different. Thank you all for being part of my life. All the cunning of the "Fox"

SPORTCURRICULUM José Vicente Eguzkiza, nicknamed The Fox" 42 years old 3rd. Dan Karate, Champion of Euskadi in all categories. National medal; Navarra Taekwondo Champion, National medal. Semi Contact Champion of Spain Former - European Champion of amateur W.A.K.O, 86-71 Kg. Former – World Champion of amateur W.A.K.O 87-71 Kg. Former – European Champion professional Full - Contact ISKA -70 Kg. Former – European Champion professional Kick-Boxing WKA -70 kg. Former – World Champion professional Full-Contact WAKO -71 Kg. Former – World Champion professional Kick-Boxing WKA and ISKA -67 and -70 Kg. Former – World Champion of B.F. Savate -70 K. 103 combats, 102 victories. Most important merits: Beat 5 French Savate champions. Only Spaniard to have been Full-Contact World Champion, Kick-Boxing World Champion and Savate World Champion. The only person to have fought in professional category in Boxing, Kick, Savate, Full and Thai Boxing, with victories in all the disciplines. Only Spaniard in the ranking of all the international Federations. Jose Vicente Eguzkiza Tel.: 00 34 948 233 038 e-mail: eguzkiza@teleline.es

“Sometimes we make the mistake of wanting our students to do exactly what we do and so we should never forget that each one of them has his own personality, in the ring as well.”


“At the end of the day the one who sets the rules of the game is the one who wins.�


The

100 Belt Pro j e c t

Get Involved! My name is Don Warrener and I am a Canadian karate bum now living in Brazil. I have a friend here – Jiu Jitsu Master Sylvio Behring – who recently invited me to a school of his for a grading in the favela (ghetto) just outside Rio. There were well over 100 students waiting for Sylvio with huge smiles on their faces. He is only able to get there once every 6 months because it is so far out of the area. The area is one of poverty and crime, so his driver carries a gun, just to be safe. As they started training, I saw a girl collapse off to the left. People rushed to her aid and I soon discovered that she had collapsed because she had not eaten all day; not out of choice but because she had no food. Then a teenage boy went down and, believe it or not, another one went down. In total, four kids collapsed and had to be revived. I was shaken to the very core. The girl was taken to a hospital; the others just left the class. My friend told me this was very common in this area of Brazil. He then told me that these young people do not pay for gradings or instruction; the church in which they train is provided free of charge. This is all they have, their martial art. Uniforms are donated or are ‘hand me downs’. Most train four times a week for 90 minutes each class. They have nothing else. Attaining a black belt is just a dream for these young practitioners, because on average it takes them 6 years to achieve a black belt

and there are no child black belts. Sylvio told me that, in some cases, their most valuable possession is their Jiu Jitsu uniform. Many of these young people get promoted to a different belt color and don’t even receive the belt because they can not afford it. This is the real Rio! I was in shock.!

Please post a photo of you and your students with the belts being donated to my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/don. warrener Thank you very much – Muito obrigardo meu amiga, amigos!

How You Can Help

Don Warrener is President of Warrener Entertainment. He began his karate training in 1966 in Hamilton, Canada under Benny Allen; he trained under Sensei Richard Kim for decades until Kim’s death and was promoted to 8th dan by the Father of Canadian Karate Masami Tsuruoka in 2008. Mr. Warrener has written numerous books, hundreds of articles and produced hundreds of martial arts video productions.

I decided to create The 100 Belt Project, which involves the donation of 100 belts to this deserving dojo. These belts will get circulated from one child to another for years to come, ensuring that each young person can wear the belt they rightfully earned. All colors and sizes are needed... and, yes black belts, as well. I witnessed a black belt grading where the black belt was very old and used, and probably handed down three or four times already. You might think that purchasing and donating 100 belts is the answer. However, sending used belts with all the pride and sweat infused from our own students to be passed with friendship and comradery to these Brazilian kids just means so much more! Please – make an announcement at the end of your classes about The 100 Belt Project, and ask your students to support this worthwhile endeavor by donating their old belts. Our goal could be met in a very short time. Remember: no new belts, only used ones.

donrw@warrenerentertainment.com

Please send your donated belts to: Alfonso Camerotte Rua Gustavo Corção, 784 Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22790-150, Brasil


Keysi "We people with Principles are slaves to our words." Justo Diéguez

What is the Method and where does it begin? The word Method comes from the Greek term “methodos” ("path" or "way") and refers to the means used to reach an end. Its original meaning points to the path that leads to a place, and its different stages are "Observation": this allows analyzing a situation while it’s happening. "Induction": to distinguish the different situations and assess the risk. "Hypothesis": is the consequence of the observation and, according to that criterion, acting, all this through experimentation, in order to come to a conclusion which, in any case, will be nothing more than a theory that cannot be qualified like real, but understanding that it rationally will help us to have a greater knowledge of a situation with which we have already experienced, without ceasing to question it according to the reality, to get to understand human beings in a broader way. Experiencing situations based on real facts makes us cautious, measuring the possible variations and the effects in front of a given situation; this data analysis of the pros and cons of a situation of risk, gives us an interpretation and way of understanding the situation, and so elaborate a determined way of acting. In terms of analysis a method deduces, induces, analyzes and synthesizes.


Keysi Which are the goals of the Method? The method deduces, through a general reference, setting parameters of comparison according to the action being analyzed; for example, a punch or a sequence of punches involving one or more people. Inducing objectives of knowledge of the risk situation in general to prevent future consequences is one of the main goals of the method; an example of that is: if we receive an attack not only have the ability to counter the blow but the consequences if we fail to have an immediate response in the application; the Analysis is based on separating the parts of a whole and to obtain in this way a more detailed knowledge of each technique and the relationship that exists among them. The synthesis is a rational criterion, gathering several techniques to create a whole; this is in the hypothesis of the cause and effect research.

“It’s not enough to say: "Well, that's the way I am..." It's necessary to analyze our actions and responses and redirect them in order to get the best of ourselves.�


Keysi Technique and Method It is necessary to distinguish the exact definition between technique and method, since they do not have the same meaning and they are commonly mistaken. The techniques are precise actions and every Martial Art has its own technical background that differentiates it from the rest: the way to positioning, to attack and counterattack, a skill developed through a long training, This information can be stored in our Memory to be used in future Actions, these being the ones that arise as a personal impulse, and not by the instinctive action of our organism (such as Digestion, Breathing or the functions of our Circulatory System). The technique is part of our experience and ability that allows us to know beforehand how to act in certain situations.

The method The method offers us a great amount of stimuli at all times, contemplating an infinite number of answers to the questions that are generated in our organism through the Sensory Organs, which are directly connected with our nervous system and allow to send through it the Information that our brain processes and we capture like a sensory perception; in turn this allows us to interact in a situation of risk with an immediate and explosive response. This mechanism works in a dynamic way and is constantly changing, so it could be evidenced such as a constant learning that permits to reform our skills, knowledge or behavior in front of specific situations, or to elaborate a way of acting applicable to a large number of cases. Depending on the stimulus, and if it's a question of a single or multiple assault where one o more opponents are involved, our response will be conditional upon our emotional state, as it doesn't depend on our knowledge or abilities, but on the attitude with which we face the situation; psychologically it will not be the same if in that situation we are alone or accompanied, since our emotional state of response will never be the same if in such situation we are on our own or with a friend, with our girlfriend or with our son.

“If we recognize our weak points, we will not only be able to stop this uncontrolled emotional impulse, but also we will direct it toward a way of acting in which we will adapt to the situation, identifying what is happening in us and around us.�


The Method and the Emotional State We cannot control our emotional state, it's a natural condition of the spirit of survival that, misdirected can put us through the emotional wringer. It cannot be controlled, but it can be recognized. It’s not enough to say, "well, that's the way I am..." It's necessary to analyze our actions and responses and redirect them in order to get the best of ourselves. Our emotions are a physical and psychological reaction to certain type of situations through our expression and our way of acting and responding. If we recognize our weak points, we will not only be able to stop this uncontrolled emotional impulse, but also we will direct it toward a way of acting in which we will adapt to the situation, identifying what is happening in us and around us. Thus we will achieve that our answers are instinctive, and this happens in thousandths of a second, being an immediate response to certain situations, sensations and thoughts


Keysi


We are pleased to present the second work of the KMRED group. This video bearing the name "Concept and Education" aims to make you discover a part of the concept Krav Maga Research, Evolution and Development, as well as the pedagogy developed within our group. The different exercises that you will discover here are not intended to "feast your eyes" or demonstrate our combative attitudes, because our priority here is that of explaining how we prepare our students so that they become "warriors", capable of "adapting" to the different evolutions of street fighting.

REF.: • DVD/KMRED-2 All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


Sifu Alfred Johannes Neudorfer and Sifu Rosa Ferrante Bannera, founders of Wing Tsun Universe - WTU, a movement which characterizes not by the use of techniques, but of qualities, exchanges, principles and concepts of movement - focus their first DVD in Siu Nim Tao (SNT) or "9 ways". The SNT is the basis of Wing Tsun, Wing Chun and WTU. The understanding thereof is the basic condition for everything that comes after, because if you observe the way people perform the sequences of this movement, you can easily deduce what they will be able to do. If something is wrong with the movement, everything the practitioner will later develop will be erroneous. WTU movements (forms) involve inherent functions from which can derive applications. The significance of the primary movements makes them derive in other movements and to generate applications based on the principles and interactions that help to their understanding. The WTU also incorporates an extra "set" its founders considered necessary due to the current circumstances. The DVD includes the Movement (form) Siu Nim Tao, its 9 sequences and applications, sequences 1 to 3 of the first movement with a training partner (Chi Sao) and a revealing interview with the founders of the WTU.

REF.: • DVD/WTU1

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


In this new DVD of Vovinam, Patrick Levet has wanted to show the facets of the use and handling of the Vietnamese Stick. Although little known, the Vietnamese long stick is, without a doubt, the most important weapon among all the weapons of the traditional Martial Arts of Vietnam. The Vovinam school, in its official program, only proposes the Stick Form (Tu Tuong Con Phap) and the counterattacks of stick vs. stick (Phan The Con), without explaining the intermediate movements. But the Vietnamese stick goes far beyond these two facets and Master Levet offers us 2 detailed DVDs on all the applications of the numerous intermediate movements of the Stick Quyen. This first volume includes a series of specific stick warming up and bodybuilding exercises, the guard, fundamental principles, stylistic handling of the weapon, defense against disarmament, blocking and dodging, displacements, as well as combat techniques. An original work that shows for the first time the Vietnamese stick in a complete and exhaustive way.

REF.: • DVD/VIET7 All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


The Pukulan Pencak Silat Serak is a system based on both weapons and empty hands at the same time. It incorporates many of the new-generation weapons, swords, knives, circular kerambits, bars, batons of different lengths and other more particular weapons. Even in our empty hand training methods we face an opponent who attacks us with weapons in both hands, as well as several opponents at once. This type of training makes us more aware of everything that happens during an altercation and what do and not do when facing one or more armed aggressors. In this second DVD, Maha Guru Horacio Rodrigues, heir to the lineage of Pendekar Pak Victor De Thouars, of Pukulan Pencak Silat Serak, addresses its particular way to train and use the different weapons, laying the foundations for more advanced future plans of study and the application of technique. This video includes the principles of work, angulation, Sambuts, Jurus and drills with the short sword "Pedang", short knife "Pissau", short stick "Tonkat Matjan", Sarong, and applications of selfdefense with empty hands.

REF.: • DVD/SERAK-2

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


Consonance and

When the Way of the W


emptiness

Warrior reaches spirituality!


REF.: • DVD/TOYAMA-2

This DVD is the result promoted by the Spanish subsidiary of the Zen Nihon Toyama-Ryu Iaido Renmei (ZNTIR - Spain Branch), to publicize the technical content of the ToyamaRyu style as practiced in the ZNTIR Honbu Dojo in Machida, Tokyo, unchanged, with no alterations. The loyalty of the program is such that is its president and maximum technical manager, Yoshitoki Hataya Sensei, who, accompanied by some members, executes personally the entire compendium of the current style program. In him you can find the basic structure of the methodology that is applied, from the coded exercises of warming up and preparation and through the cutting exercises; the guards; the school Katas, including those corresponding to the Toyama Army Academy, the Gunto Soho and its explanation; work in pairs, both in Kumitachi and Gekken Kumitachi, and the cornerstone on which the Toyama-Ryu is based, i.e., Tameshigiri or cutting exercises on a real target. Zen Nihon Toyama-Ryu IaiDo Renmei (ZNTIR) is the body that currently - once reviewed and adapted the concepts and methodology of a school that comes from a method of actual combat intends to maintain alive this tradition and the original forms through a system that unifies body, mind and spirit in a realistic and effective way. Thanks to the commitment of a few graduates of the Toyama Army Academy (Rikugun Toyama Gakko), who continued secretly keeping alive the art until the lifting of the bans and the return of sovereignty to the Japanese people, today can learn a fencing style framed among the current schools of Iai-Do. This is a meticulous DVD in different languages, which proves to be a valuable source for researchers and practitioners of Japanese sword, and for martial artists in general or interested in the history of Japan and its last world war. It's a real stroke of luck being able to observe the techniques it contains, and at least for serious researchers, is well worth having it in your video library. We practitioners of the style want to share loyally the knowledge of our Japanese fencing school, in the hope that at the same time, the own inter nal values of those armed men impregnate the new generations and allow to glimpse a revulsive, in a traditionally way very different from the current approach to combat disciplines of Japanese origin. All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com


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Martial Arts Magazine Budo International 332 – March 2 fortnight – 2017 by Budo International Martial Arts Magazine - Issuu