Bruce Lee

The impact Bruce Lee had on my life is somewhat tangential to events.

I first heard of him in University while he was co-starring on the ‘Green Hornet. The Speech Department had a Graduate Student who had studied with him at the University of Seattle, and he showed us some of his training. This was prior to my having martial interests.

Then on my 2^nd date with Maureen we went to the drive in at Rehoboth Beach and “Enter the Dragon” was playing. Later that year we married. Yes, this was after Bruce’s death. The next year I started studying Isshinryu. Whenever a new kung fu movie opened it did bring in new students, though this was not my motivation. Kung Fu was sweeping the country as an interest. Even my instructors remarked on this.

I read much about him, remember some programs making claims they were teaching his art (always false). And tried to determine if there was any relevance to my own Isshinryu studies (I found none for myself). The one thing that stuck with me was the size of his personal library. It seems he studied everything that could even remotely affect his practice.

I guess I sort of did the same. In my early years there was little published. Yes, there were the magazines, which the best that could be said in those days served the special interest groups of the publishers interests (Money or National Interests), the author’s interests, and special groups who pushed hardest. It became a hunt to garner books of interest. A few stores (new and used book stores, a (very few martial arts book stores, and sometimes friends). But over 40 years the collection grows.

Many of my books now are ones I seldom look at. I’ve destroyed my thousands of magazines (finally ran out of space and I no longer looked at them). This was before Ebay. And even tossed ½ of my books (how many Bruce Tenger books does one need after all?).

Still it gave perspective to what I thought and learned. Much was less worth, but there are kernels of sound martial knowledge at times. These days I’m most interested in the books published in Japan in the 20’s and 30’s, But there are gems everywhere, and a lot of less relevant books, too.

Some of this began with Bruce, and how not could I not have a Bruce Lee post!

Quiz - How Does This Work ?

How Many Remember When this was Kung Fu

The Kung Fu comic book

Back in 1977 I was looking for some Martial Arts books in a Used Book Store in Scranton, Pa.  There was no Ebay in those days and few books at that time, many important finds were gotten that way. This was one of those books, perhaps one of the first books in English on the Chinese Martial Arts.

 

As it the case a book requires 5 or often more years before I understand it’s value and this was no exception.  Burried on my book shelf for a long time, I finally started viewing it again bout 1990 or so. And of course I discovered it’s value. Especially as a counter for an arm bar, in the example I show below. A solid use for one of my tai chi movements.

 

The book uses similar illustrations, then this is a joke for friends who feel our best techniques come from comic books.

 

Here is the description:

 

Pa-Kua Chang for Self-Defense Paperback – published January 1, 1973

by Lee Ying-Arng & Yen Tie-Hwa (Author)

 

 

This is a classic in the martial arts field, the first Bagua style Kung Fu book in English. Lee Ying Arng, the vice president of the Hong Kong Kung Fu Association, was a pioneer. His was one of the first Kung Fu books ever in English, the first Iron Palm book, the first film strips (8mm in those days) to be available. His modified Yang style Tai Chi - almost completey ignored - is one of the best abstractions of the set ever done. Here is a BaGua book that is not only informative but charming. In the first section it presents the basic palm positions, gives an historical overview with pictures of famous masters, shows Lee himself doing applications. The next section if a trasnlation into English of a famous text by Yen Tie Hwa showing some of the neatest illustrations ever of Chinese fighting applications. The usage is Ba Gua to the max with some pretty twisty renditions but all fascinating. A bibliography is enclosed.

 

This is one illustration.

 

The Science of Technique Analysis

The Science of Technique Analysis

 

At the time I began karate study of potential technique applications was not a study in our group. Over the next few years it was very much the same in other karate style dojo I visited.

 

I’m sure it existed but was kept private and most possibly for dan students in those schools who did so..I entered the study if tai chi and then kung fu forms, but didn’t much inquire about the techniques use (of course I didn’t have the skill at that time, either), there was so much to learn about the techniques.-

 

A little later when I started study with Tristan Sutrisno I was shown a different use to Bunkai than what the magazines were describing and it was very efficient. In many senses it was a fusion of his family study of  1930’s Shotokan, 1930’s Aikido and Indonesian Tjimande.

 

Then in 1986 Dr. Yang Jwing Ming published two volumes of “Advanced Tai Chi” the 2^nd of which was focused on Martial Applications.. My first interest is it was based on his version of the Yang system, and I was studying another version. But it takes great focus to move from the book to actuality.

 

I was now living in New Hampshire, Tristan was in Wilkes Barre, Pa and Ernest my Tai Chi , instructor was living in Pittsburgh , Pa.

 

Later taking the book along to the Bushi No Te Summer Camp and showing the book to Tristan whereby he remarked, jokingly, "Everything shown is what I teach."

 

Later thinking about his remark took the book to class, randomly opened a page and dropped a student with one of the techniques. Then randomly selecting another the same result

 

Not just techniques that work, but a functional template how to investigate potential technique usage, not dependant on tai chi. As I was interested in uncovering Isshinryu applications, this would prove a most useful too.

 

He takes each technique  and shows ways to 1) Down the Opponent 2) Chin Na the opponent and 3) Cavity Strike the opponent. Within these concepts he shows multiple ways this can be accomplished.

 

As I saw this applied to Isshinryu:

 

1) Down the Opponent or throws and other techniques to get them to the ground.

2) Chin Na the opponent or how the techniques could be used as a locking technique.

3) Cavity Strike the opponent or striking/kicking applications of the technique.

 

Of course this does not include all of the possibilities.

 

There is more including a detailed examination of the tai chi 2 person fighting form with more applications and also techniques to neutralize those techniques.

 

Opening further studies on how to neutralize every Isshinryu technique.

 

This does not really show the entire value to this book.

Below the Event Horizon

A favorite contribution I made to FightingArts.eom

 

http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=294

Below the Event Horizon

 

One of the most powerful tools of Karate is its ability to strike below the “event horizon” of an opponent’s awareness. The flip side of this is to develop our own skills of awareness (zanshin) to the extent that you are not caught off guard by a surprise attack.

A very sad example of getting below the event horizon was the ease with which the 9/11 hijackers worked their way beneath the event horizon of the security forces in place. If there is any positive value to be gained from such horrific examples, it is that we do need to consider such tactics as part of our training programs.

 

Striking below an opponent’s event horizon is a sound tactical strategy, and a concept that underlies all of our training. But I suspect far too often our training focuses instead on developing the tools, not the optimal strategy for using them. This is hardly surprising, because without the development of correct technique, knowing how to use the technique is of little help.

 

Below the horizon tactical skills might include:

 

1 - Not giving an opponent signals to which he might respond. This might include learning how appear docile and/or unthreatening, unsure of yourself, or afraid so not to trigger an opponent’s awareness or preparedness to respond.

 

2 – Creating a distraction that causes an opponent to momentarily lose or change focus, thereby creating a momentary opening. Included is using a loud shout (kiai) to create a startle reflex in your opponent, getting the opponent to talk thereby occupying his or her mind, distracting the opponent’s attention by a hand or other movements, or using a glance to the opponent’s rear or side to draw his attention in that direction.

 

3 - Learning the best zones of counter-attack -- the study of angles of insertion (attack) to confuse the opponent and his or her awareness. Examples might include: using an unseen uppercut hidden behind a hook punch; or using a low hook-punch angled from the side to an opponent’s ribs (under his arms) that is first set up by a frontal assault.

 

4 - Understanding your targeting options. This includes the optimum choice of targets for your punches or kicks, strike points that will produce the optimum response. This requires a 360 degree awareness of targets of opportunity based on your location and the choice of responses.

 

5 - Being able to move and position yourself so your opponent momentarily loses track of you perceptually and/or is unable to hit you with his or her weapons. This might include angling, turning or shifting your position so you are to the opponent’s side or back or placed at a distance which is to your advantage.

 

6 – Being aware of, and adjusting to, the range, location and movement of the other opponents who are involved in the “situation,” or who might get involved. This means learning how to move and place yourself in an optimal protective location vis-à-vis others in a multiple person situation.

 

This study becomes a never-ending challenge to your abilities, mental and physical, as you change, adapt and develop.

 

In addition to training passed on to you from your instructors, another source of information may be found in classical martial literature: The Okinawan “Bubishi”, “The Book Of Five Rings”, and “The Art Of War” can readily be adapted for lesson study. Other more esoteric texts can also be considered; “The Tao Te Ching” and the” I Ching” are examples. Many modern works also exist which suggest tactics of personal combat that can be explored.

 

Finding a way to use the different tools of our craft is a necessary part of our training which should not be neglected. This includes using the concept of keeping below an opponent’s event horizon

Happy New Year 2014, Feliz Ano Novo, 明けましておめでとう

Me in 1984 at the Scranton Boys Club

2013 Ends, 2014Begins. Time flows on,  As our lives move through this moment and as is customary, let us think on the last year,

First, my disabilities remain, I still am classified as having  Paraneoplastic Neuromyopathy & Neuropathy. Still no clue to the cause or the treatment. I am weaker, loss of balance, difficulty with fine motor control and speaking, to the point I am often incomprehensible. I virtually cannot write and even typing is a chore requiting much spell check. After a fall that broke 3 ribs I now employ a walker when I walk outdoors or when I am driven to go shopping.  I no longer drive and am much housebound.

I still walk often except in rain or snow. About 5 or 6 miles a week. I still practice kata, it took a year to figure out how to do tai chi (my lack of balance makes it very difficult) but I found a way finally. I still am involved assisting Mike and Young teaching the young and I still train the adults. Martially speaking I am involved with things.

It’s interesting that Karate is easiest to do, abet with some changes too. I am currently working with Tikko to keep as much martial potential as I can.  I guess its safe to say my karate isn’t exactly empty hand.

As you are undoubtedly aware I continue my efforts on my blog. The context behind my study remains much more material than is in class. I am committed to saving so students in my lineage don’t have to start anew but have it here if the need arises. It consists of much of our shared art (except for those portions which are transmitted separately and privately),  history so it is not lost, and my ongoing  Martial researches. As there are no secrets (except those I choose not to share) I have freely done so openly. Most interesting the rest of the world finds it interesting with so far 75,000 views from around the world (Blogger tracks this in great detail I find).

I have also continues my fan fiction in the Destroyer novels universe. I’ve written about 15 novels at this point.

Along with much time to look into martial studies that interest me, I am also learning much about being disabled. What it means in how I conduct my life. How others react to me. How communicating with others is difficult. One learns to cope as everyone is disabled in one sense. Life continues.

My hope for 2014 is that things are better for all. I will continue to train and learn more about my arts and those of others. Oh and World Peace might not be a bad idea either.

You will find I don’t worry about what others do. I have much more that is interesting in my students learning and my researches. Why dwell on the negative, it all seems to resolve itself in the end.