Category: Martial Arts

When Aikido Came to America…

Sensei Antonio Aloia grew up in a martial arts family and has spent the better part of his life practicing Aikido. He has spent a significant portion of his academic studies on researching the history of Aikido since it reached America from Japan, he is the author of the book, Aikido Comes to America. This interview was recently conducted by Tambuli Media president, Mark V. Wiley, as a deeper dive into some of the material contained with the Aloia’s ground-breaking book. 

Lameco Eskrima’s “Sulite Orehenal Group”

We as a group fought against each other countless times as well as against others who would be brought in from outside of the group to fight with us on our special “fight-day Sundays” or “Sunday gatherings,” as we would call them. When we would fight in the “backyard,” it was no holds barred; you could close range with much aggression hitting with the “punyo” or “butt of the weapon,” punch, kick, head-butt, elbow, knee, or take your opponent to the ground.

Counter Locks of Derobio Escrima

The art of Derobio has 144 counter locks which are unique to the system. The locks and counter locks in Derobio Escrima are very complex in their simplicity and work at medium to very close range. These locks are applied to the joints, tendons, muscles, nerves and pressure points, effectively shutting down the opponent’s ability to think about anything but the pain.

Does Traditional Kung-Fu Have a Future?

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||3px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”] Interview by Mark V. Wiley Hendrik Santo is a researcher of Wing Chun…

Timing in Traditional Martial Arts

If we liken a fight to a dance, the attacker is leading the dance, and the defender is
following…acting in the after, responding to the leader, merely reacting. The leader
acts according to their whim, unimpeded, the follower has the difficult task of keeping
up. The leader of the dance is acting in the before. The leader is deciding where on
the floor the dance moves will take both dancers. The follower is merely along for the
ride, with no control, and no say, as they are acting in the after.

Serrada Escrima Training and Strategies

By Mark V. Wiley The Serrada Escrima system was developed in the mid-1960s by the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales. While a teenager living in Cebu, Philippines,…

Taiji’s Principles and Secrets

Shifu Zhou Mu Tu is easily overlooked as he is often overshadowed by the presence of Shifu Lee Bei Lei, his shixiong and the man he regards as being his main teacher since Shifu Lu Tong Bao died. But he is undoubtedly a man of great skill.

Double Weapons of Kabaroan Eskrima

This section shows the simple (as opposed to compound or complex, and distinct from composite) method or way of doing the Eskrima Art of the Barons. As there are many ways of killing and cooking chicken, so there are many ways of doing and practicing the Filipino martial art of Eskrima. Among them is the way the Filipino leaders called Ka (a term of respect for elders and leaders) Baroang (Baruang or Barwang).

Attributes and Mindset in FMA

Defensive and offensive techniques in Filipino martial arts revolve in a pentagonal foundation (known as MIBOME) that are interrelated and complement each other in spirit, skill, speed, strength and style, as follows:

Rodney Grantham and Aikido in America’s Southwest

Rodney Grantham (~1928-2008) played a pivotal role in the push of aikido in the American Southeast. Grantham began judo in 1950 while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan as a surgical scrub nurse during the Korean War. There, he would train judo on his off-duty hours, mostly at police stations.