In connection with this article, it is recommended to read this article first: Tegumi. Karate; A blend of Tegumi and Chinese Hand? The question is: Did karate develop from a mixture of tegumi (Okinawan’s local fighting method) and Kenpo (Chinese hand)? Theory 1: A fusion of two styles. The development of karate is indeed believed […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
In connection with this article, it is recommended to read these two articles first: Tegumi and Shima – Okinawan sumo. Tegumi: The Foundation of Shima – Okinawan Sumo! In the realm of Okinawan martial arts, Shima has emerged as a unique wrestling style distinguished by its specific focus on techniques. Unlike traditional joint locks and ground […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Bubishi – The classic manual of combat. Fighting techniques mentioned in the Bubishi. While it doesn’t provide an exhaustive list, it covers a wide range of techniques and principles. Here are some examples of fighting techniques mentioned in the Bubishi: Striking Techniques: The Bubishi describes various strikes, including punches, palm strikes, elbow strikes, knee strikes, […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Bubishi – The classic manual of combat. The origin of the Bubishi. The Bubishi is a classical Chinese martial arts manual that holds significant importance in the realm of Okinawan martial arts. It serves as a fundamental text that encompasses various aspects of martial arts theory, technique, and philosophy. While the exact origins of the […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Screaming and vocalization play a significant role in various sports, including martial arts. In disciplines such as karate or kung fu, screaming during strikes is a common practice believed to enhance power and force generation. By forcefully expelling air during a strike, martial artists aim to optimize their movements and generate additional power. Beyond the […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
The Shaolin Temple, located in Henan Province, China, is famous for its deep-rooted history in martial arts. It served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks who sought refuge and engaged in spiritual practice. The Temple is widely recognized as the birthplace of many martial arts styles and has been a hub for martial arts training […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Did Bodhidharma already know martial arts? I did some research about Bodhidharma’s background in martial arts. This is what I found. The origins of Bodhidharma’s martial arts background are somewhat uncertain, and there are different accounts of his martial arts training. Some legends say that he was trained in Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art that […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
I have been digging into the use of the word “Kime”. Most Karate people know the word, and most likely the meaning of it. At least they know what their Sensei has told them, and this is of course right 😉 However, the definition is manifold. The use of the word Kime in Karate can […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
In the following, I will try to clarify what I understand by Kime. There have been a lot of different explanations for Kime over time. One explanation is that one’s Gi must give a loud “snap” while punching. If there is a loud “snap” the technique was done correctly. Now the technique is performed with […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
I already gave you my interpretation of Kiai in part 1, and as such, I will not go into depth with this again. Nonetheless, it can’t be avoided that I get into the topic anyway, as concepts like Kime, Kiai, and breathing are unequivocally related. Most of all, in the following I will deal with […]