Ura; 裏 Ura has the general meaning of “behind” or “the other side.” However, there are several different levels of meaning and connotation occurring simultaneously in this word. Ura, in its usage in aikido and other Japanese martial arts, references a techniques that occurs after the attacker generated power or [Read More]
Foreword You might’ve heard there’s a new Kung Fu tv series coming. For those who might not know, there was a tv show back in the ’60s called Kung Fu, starring the late David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine. The protagonist, a Chinese American man raised at the Shaolin Monastery, [Read More]
We, the traditional martial artists of the world, are a weird lot. But I probably didn’t need to tell you that. See, unlike nearly every other hobby, sport, pursuit, and pastime, we put an awful lot of stock in the way our preferred way of spending time is represented in [Read More]
Omote; 表 Omote has a general meaning of “outer” or “surface.” But like many things in Japanese culture and language, it has a couple layers of understanding occurring all at the same time. The term in aikido specifically, and Japanese martial arts in general, refers to a technique that occurs [Read More]
Many martial arts come from other cultures with different languages. This new weekly article, Martial Word Wednesday, is designed to shed some light on some of the ideas present in other languages that don’t necessarily have a place in English. -do Do is a suffix that is used in Japanese [Read More]
There are unusual weapons from around the world. This is a monthly column on Martial Journal in which we analyze and describe these weapons. Come back every month for a new installment. The Uchine Origin: Japan, Late 14th to Early 15th Century History The uchine was first described in manuals [Read More]
Essential Films of Jackie Chan Jackie Chan is one of the most famous names in the world. No matter where you go in the world, the name Jackie Chan will spark a conversation. His career has spanned well over fifty years and he has starred in over a hundred films. [Read More]
In the interest of disclosure, this book was given for review purposes. Warning: Check your Local or State laws regarding ownership and use of Balisong. Title: Veintenueve Balisong: Filipino Knife Fighting Author: Datu Shishir Inocalla Publisher: Modern Arnis Federation/Tambuli Media Publish Date: 1984 Format: Softcover Pages: 93 If you grew [Read More]
Many martial arts come from other cultures with different languages. This new weekly article, Martial Word Wednesday, is designed to shed some light on some of the ideas present in other languages that don’t necessarily have a place in English. Bu Etymology is the study of word origins. In English, [Read More]
Just Needed Some Food – A Short Story Stepping off the bicycle, Rachael unlocked the chain she kept wrapped around the top tube. She walked the bike the few remaining steps to the bike rack and looped the chain through the metal bars. The combination was set to the code [Read More]
The Wrong Alley Short Story “Dammit.” Gerald looked down at his shoe. He felt the squish and even heard it, just a bit. He was sure he’d stepped in dog crap. Frustrated, he looked around for a stick or a random piece of plastic. Hell, even a beer can would [Read More]
Title: Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life Author: Richard Bresler, Scott Burr Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing Publication Date: November 12, 2020 Format: Paperback, Kindle Pages: 280, 6 in x 9 in Cover Price: $19.95 ISBN: 979-8691631290 Content Richard Bresler is one of, if not the first, students of [Read More]
Title: See You on the Mat Author: Marty Josey Publisher: Independently published Publication Date: October 3, 2020 Format: Kindle, Paperback Pages: 108, 6 in x 9 in Cover Price: $15.95 ISBN: 979-8-67-143087-5 Content Author Marty Josey is producer and host of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Rocks podcast and the founder of [Read More]
Title: Flashing Steel, 25th Anniversary Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship Author: Masayuki Shimabukuro and Leonard Pellman Publisher: Blue Snake Books Publication Date: October 6, 2020 Format: Paperback Pages: 572, 10 in x 8 in Cover Price: $34.95 ISBN: 978-1623175030 Content The late Shimabukuro Masayuki Hidenobu (1948-2012) was the 21st sōshihan (headmaster) [Read More]
Title: A Brief History of the Martial Arts Author: Dr. Jonathan Clements Publisher: Robinson, an imprint of Hachette UK Limited Publication Date: 2016 Format: Kindle / Paperback Pages: 304, 6 in x 9.25 in Cover Price: $3.99 (Kindle) / £13.99 (paperback, publisher’s Web site) ISBN: 978-1472136466 Content Dr. Jonathan Clements [Read More]
Title: Martial Arts in the Modern World Author: Thomas A. Green and Joseph R. Svinth, editors Publisher: Praeger Publishers Publication Date: 2003 Format: Hardcover Pages: 322, 9.5 in x 6.5 in Cover Price: None; out-of-print, but available on the secondary market ISBN: 0275981533 Content Joseph R. Svinth is editor of [Read More]
Master Hopkick: Beginnings There is a legendary character named Master Hopkick. He is one of the greatest martial artists ever to throw a kick. In Master Hopkick’s Beginnings, he was a young boy, living on the island of Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands. There, he met a man named Mr. [Read More]
Young Athletes and Martial Arts Injuries Are martial arts too dangerous for our kids? Nowadays most traditional martial arts schools do more than teach martial arts. Many have become before school or after school care centers for children… Many parents want a place for their kids to spend time after [Read More]
Title: Aikido Comes to America Author: Antonio Aloia Publisher: Tambuli Media Publish Date: Sept 01, 2020 Format: Softcover Pages: 180 Cover Price: $24.95/$9.99 (Kindle) Sometimes, the title sells the book. I’ve always enjoyed the history aspect of martial arts and Aikido has such an interesting history. So I had to [Read More]
Title: An English Translation of the Texts of the Takenouchi School of Japanese Classical Martial Arts: An Historical, Pedagogical, and Philosophical Study Author: Andrew Antis Publisher: The Edwin Mellen Press Publication Date: 2013 Format: Hardcover Pages: 744, 6.25 in x 9 in Cover Price: $379.95 ISBN: 978-0773426337 Content Dr Andrew [Read More]
Copyright © 2026 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes