Download or read book The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts written by Dr. Guy Windsor and published by Spada Press. This book was released on 2020-08-20 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Benefit from the experience of one of the most accomplished experts in the field. A must-read for beginners and advanced practitioners alike." - Roland Warzecha, DIMICATOR The warriors, knights and duellists of old depended on their skill at arms for their lives. You can learn their techniques and tactics too. From renowned swordsman and teacher Guy Windsor comes an indispensable resource for anyone interested in martial arts, swordsmanship, and history. Through this book Guy will teach you how to train your mind and body to become an expert in historical martial arts. It includes the seven principles of mastery, considers the ethics of martial arts, and goes into detail about the process of recreating historical martial arts from written sources. On the practical side, Guy explains how to develop your skills, and lays out the path for students to become teachers, covering the basics of safe training, looking after your body, and even starting your own training group and teaching basic classes. An accessible, motivating read that includes many suggestions for further study, including courses, books and other resources, this book sets out to answer every question about historical martial arts you may have. Note that this is not a training manual for a specific style: it provides the foundations for every style. Your journey starts here. You decide where it ends.

Download or read book Arnis written by Mark Wiley and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2012-08-07 with total page 182 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arnis: Reflections on the History and Development of the Filipino Martial Arts is an intriguing collection of essays on Filipino martial arts. Featured are insightful essays by Filipino martial artists: Krishna K. Godhania Antonio E. Somera Abner G. Pasa Dr. Jopet Laraya Felipe P. beano, Jr. Rene J. Navarro For centuries, Filipino martial arts have played integral and often momentous roles in the history of the Philippines and in the survival of the Filipino people. But what are these arts? Where do they come from? How have they developed? Where are they headed? And what inner dimensions do they offer their practitioners? These questions, among others, form the basis of Arnis: Reflections on the History and Development of the Filipino Martial Arts.

Download or read book Armed Martial Arts of Japan written by G Hurst I and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 1998-07-11 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unique history of Japanese armed martial arts--the only comprehensive treatment of the subject in English--focuses on traditions of swordsmanship and archery from ancient times to the present. G. Cameron Hurst III provides an overview of martial arts in Japanese history and culture, then closely examines the transformation of these fighting skills into sports. He discusses the influence of the Western athletic tradition on the armed martial arts as well as the ways the martial arts have remained distinctly Japanese. During the Tokugawa era (1600-1867), swordsmanship and archery developed from fighting systems into martial arts, transformed by the powerful social forces of peace, urbanization, literacy, and professionalized instruction in art forms. Hurst investigates the changes that occurred as military skills that were no longer necessary took on new purposes: physical fitness, spiritual composure, character development, and sport. He also considers Western misperceptions of Japanese traditional martial arts and argues that, contrary to common views in the West, Zen Buddhism is associated with the martial arts in only a limited way. The author concludes by exploring the modern organization, teaching, ritual, and philosophy of archery and swordsmanship; relating these martial arts to other art forms and placing them in the broader context of Japanese culture.

Download or read book Medieval Wrestling written by Jessica Finley and published by Freelance Academy Press. This book was released on 2014-12-31 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the Middle Ages, wrestling was practiced as both pastime and self-defense by every level of society - nobles, townsman, and peasants alike - and was regarded as the foundation of all other martial arts. And no medieval wrestler's name looms as large as that of the Jewish master Ott, "wrestler to the noble Princes of Austria", whose treatise is included in over a dozen fencing manuscripts. In this first of its kind book, Jessica Finley of the renowned medieval martial arts association, the Selohaar Fechtschule, guides the reader on a journey that begins with the historical background of Ott's wrestling and culminates in step-by-step instruction for practicing the techniques of this ancient fighting art. Both the lover of history and the wrestler on the mat will find this work an invaluable resource.

Download or read book Martial Arts and the Body Politic in Meiji Japan written by Denis Gainty and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-08-22 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1895, the newly formed Greater Japan Martial Virtue Association (Dainippon Butokukai) held its first annual Martial Virtue Festival (butokusai) in the ancient capital of Kyoto. The Festival marked the arrival of a new iteration of modern Japan, as the Butokukai’s efforts to define and popularise Japanese martial arts became an important medium through which the bodies of millions of Japanese citizens would experience, draw on, and even shape the Japanese nation and state. This book shows how the notion and practice of Japanese martial arts in the late Meiji period brought Japanese bodies, Japanese nationalisms, and the Japanese state into sustained contact and dynamic engagement with one another. Using a range of disciplinary approaches, Denis Gainty shows how the metaphor of a national body and the cultural and historical meanings of martial arts were celebrated and appropriated by modern Japanese at all levels of society, allowing them to participate powerfully in shaping the modern Japanese nation and state. While recent works have cast modern Japanese and their bodies as subject to state domination and elite control, this book argues that having a body – being a body, and through that body experiencing and shaping social, political, and even cosmic realities – is an important and underexamined aspect of the late Meiji period. Martial Arts and the Body Politic in Meiji Japan is an important contribution to debates in Japanese and Asian social sciences, theories of the body and its role in modern historiography, and related questions of power and agency by suggesting a new and dramatic role for human bodies in the shaping of modern states and societies. As such, it will be valuable to students and scholars of Japanese studies, Japanese history, modern nations and nationalisms, and sport and leisure studies, as well as those interested in the body more broadly.

Download or read book The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts written by Guy Windsor and published by . This book was released on 2018-05-08 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From renowned instructor and best-selling author Guy Windsor comes a comprehensive guide to the fascinating world of historical martial arts. Learn how to research, plan, and practice any historical martial art, train for tournaments, teach classes, even sleep better.

Download or read book Historical European Martial Arts in Its Context written by RICHARD. MARSDEN and published by . This book was released on 2018-06-25 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is based on reading source material to recreate the lost martial arts of Europe. While reading the treatises and performing depicted techniques helps understand HEMA, there is more to it. The sources were not written and illustrated in a vacuum, but rather in a rich and complicated world. Historical European Martial Arts in its Context places the sources in a time and place with details about single-combat, duels, tournaments, self-defense, war as well as the Masters and their treatises. Richard Marsden approaches the 'why' behind the treatises and delves into Europe's martial culture from the 14th through 18th century. HEMA is thus explored on the blood-soaked fields of battle, in the dark alleys of dangerous cities, and under the shade of trees where illicit duels might be fought.

Download or read book Secrets of Northern Shaolin Kung fu written by Brian Klingborg and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 1998-11-15 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Master the northern style of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu with this illustrated martial arts guide The Secrets of Northern Shaolin Kung-Fu: Pek Sil Lum is a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of the traditional Chinese art known to the West as Northern Shaolin Kung-Fu. It includes a historical overview, basic positions, and authentic forms and techniques. Pek Sil Lum is especially renowned for its repertoire of kicking techniques, ranging from simple front kicks to jumping twirling crescent kicks to the dreaded tornado kick, and includes open- and closed-hand strikes and a number of weapons forms.

Download or read book The Medieval Longsword written by Dr. Guy Windsor and published by The School of European Swordsmanship. This book was released on 2020-08-20 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ever wonder how good you’d be with a sword? This book is for you. Do love movie sword fights? Learn how real sword fights work. Are you into stage combat? Add depth with historically accurate technique. You’re a bad uncle looking for a present for your niece? Get her this book, though her parents might hate you. Or do you just like swords? If you’ve ever wanted to turn your sword dreams into reality, then this book is for you. Anyone can learn the medieval Art of the longsword. This book will give you a thorough grounding in the techniques and tactics from the 600-year-old manuscript Il Fior di Battaglia, and includes free access to additional resources such as videos and full-sized images, to help you translate the movements from page to real life. Sure, it’s a 600-year old manuscript, but you know what? People who studied this manuscript lived. Why not stick with something that works? The Medieval Longsword covers everything you need to know from tools of the trade, to footwork, strikes and defences, to how to exploit your adversary’s mistakes, and how to disarm your opponent. This complete and approachable guide to the Art of Arms provides a gateway to a world-wide community of likeminded people also practicing this historical martial art. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a competent fencer, this book by author and internationally renowned swordsman Guy Windsor will guide you towards mastery of this ancient Art.

Download or read book Hong Kong Martial Artists written by Daniel Miles Amos and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2021-03-24 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This imaginative and innovative study by Daniel Miles Amos, begun in 1976 and completed in 2020, examines sociocultural changes in the practices of Chinese martial artists in two closely related and interconnected southern Chinese cities, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The initial chapters of the book compare how sociocultural changes from World War II to the mid-1980s affected the practices of Chinese martial artists in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong and neighboring Guangzhou in mainland China. An analysis is made of how the practices of Chinese martial artists have been influenced by revolutionary sociocultural changes in both cities. In Guangzhou, the victory of the Chinese Communist Party lead to the disappearance in the early 1950s of secret societies and kungfu brotherhoods. Kungfu brotherhoods reappeared during the Cultural Revolution, and subsequently were transformed again after the death of Mao Zedong, and China’s opening to capitalism. In Hong Kong, dramatic sociocultural changes were set off by the introduction of manufacturing production lines by international corporations in the mid-1950s, and the proliferation of foreign franchises and products. Economic globalization in Hong Kong has led to dramatic increases both in the territory’s Gross Domestic Product and in cultural homogenization, with corresponding declines in many local traditions and folk cultures, including Chinese martial arts. The final chapters of the book focus on changes in the practices of Chinese martial arts in Hong Kong from the years 1987 to 2020, a period which includes the last decade of British colonial administration, as well as the first quarter of a century of rule by the Chinese government.

Download or read book The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts written by Raul Sanchez Garcia and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-10-03 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Norbert Elias Book Prize 2020 This is the first long-term analysis of the development of Japanese martial arts, connecting ancient martial traditions with the martial arts practised today. The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts captures the complexity of the emergence and development of martial traditions within the broader Japanese Civilising Process. The book traces the structured process in which warriors’ practices became systematised and expanded to the Japanese population and the world. Using the theoretical framework of Norbert Elias’s process-sociology and drawing on rich empirical data, the book also compares the development of combat practices in Japan, England, France and Germany, making a new contribution to our understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics of state formation. Throughout this analysis light is shed onto a gender blind spot, taking into account the neglected role of women in martial arts. The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts is important reading for students of Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Sport, Sociology of Physical Activity, Historical Development of Sport in Society, Asian Studies, Sociology and Philosophy of Sport, and Sports History and Culture. It is also a fascinating resource for scholars, researchers and practitioners interested in the historical and socio-cultural aspects of combat sport and martial arts.

Download or read book Striking Beauty written by Barry Allen and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2015-08-04 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first book to focus on the intersection of Western philosophy and the Asian martial arts, Striking Beauty comparatively studies the historical and philosophical traditions of martial arts practice and their ethical value in the modern world. Expanding Western philosophy's global outlook, the book forces a theoretical reckoning with the concerns of Chinese philosophy and the aesthetic and technical dimensions of martial arts practice. Striking Beauty explains the relationship between Asian martial arts and the Chinese philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, in addition to Sunzi's Art of War. It connects martial arts practice to the Western concepts of mind-body dualism and materialism, sports aesthetics, and the ethics of violence. The work ameliorates Western philosophy's hostility toward the body, emphasizing the pleasure of watching and engaging in martial arts, along with their beauty and the ethical problem of their violence.

Download or read book The Swordsman s Companion written by Dr. Guy Windsor and published by Swordschool Ltd. This book was released on 2013-10-08 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Celebrate two decades of historical martial arts development with the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Swordsman's Companion by Guy Windsor. This seminal guide has transformed the lives of thousands of swordsmanship enthusiasts worldwide, becoming a timeless classic in historical martial arts literature. This special edition retains the original's practical approach with detailed instructions, illustrations, and drills, which were state-of-the-art in 2004. The field has moved on considerably, so this book includes access to Guy's fully updated interpretation of Fiore's longsword techniques in The Medieval Longsword. Whether you're revisiting this influential text or discovering it for the first time, The Swordsman's Companion is a fascinating resource for both beginners and seasoned martial artists. Join the community of dedicated practitioners who have begun their martial arts journey through this book.

Download or read book The Windsor Method written by Guy Windsor and published by . This book was released on 2021-08-05 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The secret behind all great artists is how they practice. The Windsor Method: The Principles of Solo Training is the self-help book for people who want to add years to their life and life to their years. In this refreshingly straight-forward and gentle guide, bestselling author and world-renowned historical swordsmanship instructor Dr. Guy Windsor lays out the fundamental principles behind personal development and excellence in any field. How? By establishing a solid foundation, and a step-by-step approach to mechanics and training. This is The Windsor Method: use it to guide your practice and elevate your skills.

Download or read book The Power of Pressure Points written by R. Barry Harmon and published by Dog Ear Publishing. This book was released on 2016-02-29 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “This Book introduces martial artists to the most effective and commonly used pressure points”. R. Barry Harmon, License Acupuncturist, 9th Dahn Black Belt in the World Kuk Sool Association Any mistakes in the research or information in this book is the total and complete responsibility of the writer. In no way should any contributors be held responsible for the writer’s opinions or mistakes. This book is meant to help martial artists understand the power, use, and effectiveness of using pressure points for striking and grabbing purposes. This book will cover the most effective, the most common, and the most practical pressure points in martial arts; therefore, I will not cover every single pressure point that is used in martial art, acupuncture or healing. It will also include points or areas that are not regular pressure points but specific common areas that are used for martial art striking or grabbing. I will not be discussing the anatomical or energetic effects of each point when struck but the effects of the strike on the pressure point. In other words, I explain what may happen to the individual when a particular pressure point is hit. It was a very difficult decision to choose how much information to place in this book. The goal of this book is to include enough information to help the reader understand the pressure points and their possibilities. I have tried to avoid overwhelming the reader with more information than most martial artists are interested in studying. That said, I decided to include a little more information than most might be interested in concerning the theories of Ki, Um (Yin) -Yang, Five Elements, Channel theory, and pressure points. This information is specifically included for those martial artists that are interested in a more in-depth study.

Download or read book The Art of Sword Combat written by Joachim Meyer and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2016-08-31 with total page 143 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This sixteenth-century German guide to sword fighting and combat training is a crucial source for understanding medieval swordplay techniques. Following his translation of Joachim Meyer’s The Art of Combat, Jeffrey L. Forgeng was alerted to an earlier version of Meyer’s text, discovered in Lund University Library in Sweden. The manuscript, produced in Strasbourg around 1568, is illustrated with thirty watercolor images and seven ink diagrams. The text covers combat with the longsword (hand-and-a-half sword), dusack (a one-handed practice weapon comparable to a sabre), and rapier. The manuscript’s theoretical discussion of guards sheds significant light on this key feature of the historical practice, not just in relation to Meyer but in relation to medieval combat systems in general. The Art of Sword Combat also offers an extensive repertoire of training drills for both the dusack and the rapier, a feature largely lacking in treatises of the period and critical to modern reconstructions of the practice. Forgeng’s translation also includes a biography of Meyer, much of which has only recently come to light, as well as technical terminology and other essential information for understanding and contextualizing the work.

Download or read book Swordfighting for Writers Game Designers and Martial Artists written by Dr. Guy Windsor and published by The School of European Swordsmanship. This book was released on 2020-08-20 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Useful, helpful, absorbing, entertaining. Whether you are interested in weaponry or, like me, researching details for a novel, this is the book for you.” - Helen Hollick Your search for a book that will feed your passion for and deepen your knowledge of swordsmanship ends here. Guy Windsor’s Swordfighting offers insight into this magnificent historical European martial art: you will find answers to your burning questions about swordsmanship, its theory and practice. This carefully crafted book provides essential information on diverse topics with piercing clarity. “Whether you are a writer or game-maker seeking the kind of information I sought while writing The Baroque Cycle, or just a general reader with an interest in the arts to which Guy Windsor has dedicated his career, you should find much that is rewarding in these pages.” - Neal Stephenson, New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author Made up of a selection of Guy’s essays and articles, with a great deal of brand new material, this engaging and revealing book makes this complex subject accessible, enabling you to deep-dive into — - Benefits of training - Types of weapons - Sword fighting principles - Historical accuracy If you are an actor, writer or games designer creating or writing fight scenes, this book provides cutting-edge research on our European martial arts heritage. You will also discover the dos and don’ts of producing a stunningly realistic sword fight. Swordfighting is not a training manual. For technical instruction on specific swordsmanship styles, pick up The Medieval Longsword and The Duellist's Companion.