Wonderful History of Japanese Samurai

By Takamitsu Hairi

No other tribe in the history may have accomplished such an epic image that Samurai people got who had been featured in an abundance of comic books, plays and movies. That military people lived in the feudal Japan before centuries are still living in the hearts of hundreds of people today without regard to adults or children.

In the 12th century, there were two strong clans in Japan, named Minamoto and Taira. Japan was really suppressed due to the endless conflicts between these group. In those times, a ruling system called Shogunate was established and the official title of the ruler was Shogun.

Daimyo who were much the same to the Dukes in Europe were the second powerful authority in the country. Samurai were the soldiers of these dukes. There were Ronin in the Samurai people who became masterless as their masters had committed suicide.

The Samurai class had many special rights. Unlike the commoners who were not licensed to carry any weapons with them the Samurai was allowed to carry two swords with them. They even had the right to behead any commoner who happened to offend them.

There were different ranks within the Samurai class as well. There were three basic categories of Samurai named the housemen who were the administrators, the mounted samurai who were allowed to fight on horse back and the foot soldiers.

Depending upon the category they belonged to, every Samurai was authorized to possess a certain proportion of the rice tax in the country. Bushido, that meant the way of warrior, was the code of life they adopted. This code was built on the obedience towards Daimyo, their superior. When the feudal system faded away, the Samurai people shifted into farming.

A strange practice of committing suicide known as Suppuku existed among them. They believed it as a honourable way of death and was performed at the battle field or outside the battle as a formal function. Eventually, the era of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.

The colourful history of the Samurai plus the glorification they received through the film media and other such publications made them to be known on a global level. For many non-Japanese people the concept of a Samurai was very intriguing. The sheer discipline and the code of ethics followed by the Samurai was something unbelievable for the rest of the world.

The Samurai tribe not only influenced the Japanese history but also made impacts on the art and culture of the country. Their life and culture stimulated the artists to illustrate them through various art forms and just like the Samurai fables, these artistic representations also were intriguing to the masses around the world. - 31497

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Through Foot-Position to Toe-Take to Strangle-Position

By Scott Buendia

Most people go way too hard during their particular first moves towards studying the way to submit someone. Perry Marshall, an online expert on PPC actually stated the following (so I get no credit). "How to travel from foot-hold to toe-hold to strangle-hold, evolving from thin affiliate to thick solution dealer."

That's what you ought to want in your own progression in your grappling career. You need to learn how to stroll so that you can run, and before that you will need to learn how to crawl (or shrimp if you're talking to MMA legend Frank Shamrock).

Many folks attempt to jump straight into Peruvian Neckties when they do not actually know how to perform a kimura (or a double wrist lock to us catch wrestlers). It isn't fancy, it's not cool looking, but this submission will get the duty done. You have to learn the fundamental maneuvers before your actually ready to attempt bigger more obscure submission moves like a mount Gogoplata (or coil lock), a short arm scissor, a cobra choke, or even a triangle.

In fact, your arm bar, kimura and leg locks are like your jabs. They are the very first techniques opt for because they are available first. It requires more planning to possibly arrive at greater sophisticated techniques, in fact, experienced submission artists will see such things as triangles coming from a mile away, and won't hand them over to you.

We have not actually started straight into combinations of moves. In reality, the name of the article ought to let you know how you should go. You go searching for just a little submission, then you definitely move to yet another greater one, then an even bigger one, then you seize your check mate. In reality, considering your first submission attempt is going to hit is ludicrous, you need to follow what the adversary provides you with, and the best way to get him to give you a little something is to try and sometimes wrap him in something or try to get away from your current position (if you are on the bottom).

Believe me; the key to turning into a great grappler is in the title. Foot-hold to toe-hold to strangle-hold. - 31497

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How to Break Boards with Your Head Really Good!

By Al Case

Okay, we need a warning, like check with a doctor before you do this. Or maybe a psychiatrist. Or maybe just make sure you've backed up your brains on hard drive.

It was back in 1969, and I had just start Kenpo Karate, one of the early Edmund Parker versions of that fine martial art, and the head instructor decided to put on a breaking seminar. I don't really know what was passing through his mind, maybe he intended to start up a side business selling insurance or something. At any rate, the potential for catastrophe was a sure thing.

We entered the training hall and stacks of pine boards were waiting for us. As a group we were taught the ins and outs of focusing, of punching through, and so on, and we were all excited. Then we started breaking the old pine-aroonies, one at a time, as the head instructor watched.

One of the attendees, a nice guy by the name of Jeff, asked if it was possible to break a board using just the head. The head instructor's answer was in the affirmative, but he cautioned that it shouldn't be attempted until one had trained extensively. We then went into another room to break boards, and no one noticed that Jeff had not come with us.

We were in group discussion, and suddenly there was a tremendous thocking sound. It was such a unique sound that we all stopped what we were doing and stared at the door to the other room. The other room, where the sound came from, where Jeff had remained behind.

Suddenly, Jeff appeared at the door, he was standing aslant, and the look in his eyes was like little birdies singing. We all held our breaths as Jeff crossed the room, walking aslant, the birdies circling his head in a neat, little circling pattern. Jeff settled, well, sort of plonked, into a zen seated position, and the head instructor, with an eye on Jeff, continued his speechifying.

Now, if you're going to break a board with your head, and I don't care if you study Uechi or Tae Kwon Do or Choy Li Fut or whatever, work up to it. Start with skinny boards, even an eighth of an inch, then work your way through a quarter, through 3/8s, and so on. Heck, even wear a some kind of protective helmet the first few times, the potential for injury is that great.

Oh, and at the end of that breaking seminar? Jeff approached the head instructor after it was all over and asked if is it possible to break a board using just your head. Maybe he should have concentrated on developing the hardest punch instead of just a hard head! - 31497

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The Legacy Of Japanese MMA Great Kazushi Sakuraba

By Ross Everett

The toughest decision a boxer of MMA fighter will face in his career is deciding to hang up the gloves. Boxing history is rife with top notch fighters that hung around too long, and in a sure sign that its matured as a sport MMA is now experiencing the same phenomenon. After his punishing knockout loss to Melvin Manhoef at DREAM 4 it has become apparent that the time has come for Japanese fighting legend Kazushi Sakuraba to retire.

Mixed martial arts is booming in America, but there's not one specific fighter responsible for its upswing in popularity. That's not the case in Japan, as Sakuraba is almost universally acknowledged as having brought MMA to the mainstream of Japanese sports and popular culture. In particular, his on-going feud with Brazil's Gracie family made him a major superstar and national hero.

While Sakuraba's resume certainly justifies the reverence with which hes held by the Japanese fight community, hes not really done anything to build on that legacy for several years. His last truly significant victory was a submission win over former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton Rampage Jackson and his last victory over what can be considered a quality opponent in his prime was against Kevin Randleman in late 2003.

Boxing pundits frequently speak of a fighter's age in terms of 'ring years'. For that reason a younger fighter who has endured a series of grueling fights against high level opponents can be considered 'old in ring years', while an older fighter who has taken an easier path is considered 'young' by the same metric. Under this evaluation, there's no doubt that Sakuraba has to be considered old in 'ring years'. His 90 minute battle with Royce Gracie alone took a significant toll on Sakuraba, and he continued to face high level opponents after that.

Sakuraba also made the most of his box office popularity, demonstrating his bravery by facing much larger opponents including heavyweights like Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. These physical mismatches would never be sanctioned in the more tightly regulated US fight scene, but were big box office in Japan. The result, however, wasn't as favorable for Sakuraba with most ending with him losing by knockout or submission.

Sakuraba has been less active in the past couple of years, but has shown little indication that he'll formally retire. Hopefully this decision won't undermine his legacy or more importantly negatively impact his long term mental and physical health. - 31497

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Tai Chi Kung Fu Master Chan

By James Wong

Tai Chi was originated in Chan Ja Gou in China and therefore called the Chan's Tai Chi. No one knew about Tai Chi before 1850 when Tai Chi was first brought to Beijing by master Yeung. Until 1930s when the legendary tai chi master Chan Fa Ke came to Beijing, there were already many people teaching different styles of Tai Chi. Chan has the incredible skills and techniques that not only made him a legend but also a treasure to all his students.

When Chan came to Beijing and started gaining fame due to his exceptional abilities, there were many well known Tai Chi teachers teaching other forms of Tai Chi. One of them was master Lau who taught the Ng's Tai Chi. Lau and his students wanted to see whether Chan was as good as people was saying and invited him to their place for some demonstration. Chan came with the invitation. He greeted everyone and started demonstrating his rountines right away.

His style of Tai Chi was very different from Ng's which usually did the routines much slower and with little force. Chan did the two routines in 10 minutes. The speed and the power of the moves made everyone marveled. But some started commenting that his moves are not compatible with sound Tai Chi principles. Only master Lau was able to appreciate the essence of Chan's kung fu. Chan's moves were quick as lightning but smooth as silk with perfect circular motions. Lau humbly became a student of Chan after being even more impressed by his push hand skills.

Chan had many students and many of them were famous taichi masters. One of the most influential persons was Hung. He spend a lot of time and effort studying and refining Chan's combat system and came up with a modified version called the Chan's Practical Tai Chi, also known as the Hung's Tai Chi today.

One of the most important Tai Chi move is called the King Kong Pounding. It is actually the starting move of the first routine. In 1957, Hung went to Beijing and visited Chan. In the mean time, he asked whether the King Kong Pounding move can be used to handle attacks directly. Chan gave a positive answer. Later Hung change the move a little bit. The move is executed by raising right hand to contact opponent's coming right straight punch with forearm. Left hand twists internally and places in front to avoid elbow attacks.

Chan had experiences using the move in real situations. When Chan was living in his home town, the town was disturbed by robber's activities. The governors tried to hire martial artists to guard the town. One of them was Chan. One day another martial artist knew that a Tai Chi master was joining them. He went to challenge Chan. He was sitting on chair and smoking in the house during that time. The martial artist directly came in front of Chan and threw a punch at his chest. Chan immediately stand up but the punch had almost arrived on his body. He executed the King Kong Pounding move. He touched the man's wrist with his right hand and once he stretched his fingers, the man was bounced back and fell on the ground. - 31497

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Mirko Cro Cop To Fight Hong Man Choi At Fields Dynamite

By Ross Everett

The bizarre career path taken by Croatian striking machine Mirko Cro Cop will continue on New Years Eve in Tokyo as he faces 72 Korean kickboxer Hong-Man Choi in what should be the final addition to the K-1/DREAM combined show called Fields Dynamite!

For Cro Cop, its another stop on what has seemed like a meandering professional course full of much talk and little action since his departure from the UFC. In September 10, 2007, Cro Cop had just won PRIDE's Open Weight Grand Prix in dominant fashion. Some were suggesting that he, and not Fedor Emelianenko, was the best heavyweight fighter in the world.

Cro Cops upset loss to Gabriel Gonzaga changed that and his career his never really recovered. In what was supposed to be a "tune up" bout, Gonzaga smothered Cro Cop and roughed him up on the ground before unleashing his own version of Cro Cop's signature kick. Mirko never saw it coming, and he crashed to the mat like he'd been shot with his leg folded awkwardly beneath him. Gonzaga went on to face Randy Couture, and the former Croatian anti-terrorism cop was relegated to being just another heavyweight.

Since the loss to Gonzaga it has been almost impossible to keep up with the various twists and turns in Cro Cop's career. After another UFC loss, this by unanimous decision to Cheick Kongo where Cro Cop looked listless and gun shy, his management announced that he had suffered a broken rib in the first round and was having trouble breathing.

Its been an eventful year for Hong Man Choi as well. 2008 began with a loss to Fedor Emelianeko on the Yarrenoka New Years Eve event, in which the Russian fighting god briefly struggled with Choi's 7'2" 330 pound frame before submitting him. In April, he joined the Korean army for his compulsory military service only to be relived from his duties after medical tests discovered a brain tumor. The tumor was removed in June, and Choi was back in the ring in late September.

Tanikawa's comments notwithstanding Choi is really the same as hes always been. Hes a physical mismatch for any opponent and while his striking style is awkward at best, it has proven to be reasonably effective. Not sure why Tanikawa is just now realizing that Choi isnt Ernesto Hoost, but hes a surprisingly skilled fighter who uses his unique physical attributes to their best advantage.

This fight isn't about competition as much as it is about commerce. Cro Cop remains one of the most popular foreign fighters in Japan, and with the proven success of freak show matchups this may have been the most attractive opponent for him from the promotions standpoint. Its a fight that Cro Cop should win, and in Japan at least a victory over Choi would have at least some significance. At the same time, Choi's size combined with Cro Cops recent reticence to throw punches and kicks makes it a potentially dangerous matchup for the Croatian striking machine. - 31497

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What Are The Leading Styles Of Martial Arts Available For Kids?

By Dustin Fennell

Most of us have had the talk. When the going gets tough, as much as we would like to give the other cheek, most of us would sleep better at night knowing that our kids are better able to protect themselves. With a lot of Martial Arts Training available for our kids today, we would like to get a better understanding of the origins. A leading question asked by parents is what are the best styles of martial arts suited for kids? Before signing up for a certain program, check out the different types methodologies available and match this with what you know would best suit your child. This would be a good way to avoid problems from arising in the future that may sprout from a conflict with your childs personality and the different training techniques associated with these disciplines.

Different styles can be associated from the country of origin. There are types which originated from Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines. The different learning principles associated with these styles not only form the core difference between the styles, but this would also be an important factor to consider in making sure that your children will benefit from the training techniques incorporated in each martial arts style.

Karatedo is a martial arts style which focuses on the kata. This is the inner strength of an individual and it will be beneficial for the child to develop this strength at an early age in development. Positive results have been observed with children who have started training at an early stage. These children were noticed to have greater confidence and a balanced ethical and moral foundation.

Jujitsu has been developed as a derivative of a Chinese form of Martial Arts. Initially it was designed for women. However, its great adaptation in teaching mobility and movement will be a good point in considering this style for children.

Aikido uses a spiritual and harmonious style that redirects negative aggression of the attacker. The practitioner of this particular style will focus on defense, throws, pins and rolls in order to force the attacker to submit. This style works on tapping into the flow of ki, the central force of energy.

Judo is a popular martial art style which can be compared to wrestling. It focuses on physical foundation and the ability to master the individuals center to gain an advantage over an opponent. Judo is a very useful sport with great implications on mental awareness, physical strength, focus and perseverance.

Kung-fu has traced its origins from ancient China. This style involves many techniques which might be very useful to the practitioner in terms of developing patience, mental awareness and physical development.

Taekwondo has collected a lot of followers over decades of development. This style involves using elaborate footwork and kick combinations in establishing an advantage over an opponent. This style involves a lot of sparring and competitions. The styles inclusion to various international martial arts competitions would be an important factor to consider when choosing this martial style for your child.

We would need to give special attention to the different style for kids. Deciding on the most suitable martial arts style also depends on factors such as: the quality of instruction of the style, the moral values your child can learn and the safety of your child and the available schedule for the martial arts classes. Once you have taken a look at all these factors and you knowo what are the best styles of martial arts suited for kids, you will surely see positive personality results. - 31497

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