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Monday, January 11, 2010
Makiwara
Karate - "Images In Time"
These are powerful and spirited black and white images that capture moments in the continuum of practice and personal development. They are by Jeff Moriber, a long time Matsubashi-ryu karate-ka and award winning graphic designer, fine artist and print maker. Each image is crisply cut out of linoleum tile and produced with saturated inking.
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| BreakingBreaking takes training, spirit and focus. What appeared at the beginning to be an obstacle is really a spiritual destination, a moment through which to pass among the Kiais and road to spiritual development. |
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| KumetePre-arranged Kumete showed me symmetry, control and a key karate principle: to develop the strength and ability to focus power, and the control to not use it. |
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| Low BlockSinking low on one foot with a sweeping lower block while coiling power, beauty and grace combined with cat-like energy ready to spring. |
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| Reinforced BlockAt first it was a little bit like the kid's game of patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. How could she do that with such grace, ease, speed and strength? The answer came only a few short training years later: practice. |
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| The StretchShe could just as easily have been a ballet dancer stretching at the bar preparing to practice her craft instead of a fellow karate student stretching before class, both striving for grace and control. Both are beautiful in their own right. |
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| BeltI always treated each of my belts, white, green, brown and now black, with great respect. Each is imbued with countless hours of training. Each was almost always saturated in sweat, daily. Frayed at the edges from repeated knot tying and wearing. Yet always reminding me of the balance to be strived for in life. The belt shows me, when I roll it up to put it away after training, or put it on to train, that symbol, yin-yang, is always at its center. |
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Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Shocking Truth About Stun Guns
If you are outside the world of law enforcement, chances are you haven't had much "hands on" work with stun guns. Stun guns are as popular today as they have ever been and with the newer smaller packages like cell phone/stun guns, their popularity continues to grow. But before you deploy a stun gun, there are a few misconceptions you may not know about.
1. All stun guns are created equal. Not true. Don't waste your time with anything under 300,000 volts. It will lack the impact that you need to get any affect on your target. Plus the chances of penetrating thick clothing are slim. Unfortunately, most popular size stung guns fall under the 300,000 volt bench mark.
2. All you have to do is touch the attacker anywhere on his body for the stun gun to work. In fact, most directions will tell you to attack the extremities of your assailant. In order to get the result you need you should stun the target in the same areas that you would strike them. Neck, face, genitals, inner thighs. These targets will give you the maximum effect you want.
3. The stun gun will work instantly. False. You will need to hold the stun gun on the target and drive it into the surface for, in some cases, several seconds. Let me tell you, five seconds will be an eternity. Prepare yourself now for what will happen.
4. The attacker will be incapacitated. Remember Rodney King? Not every one will fall over even if they're shocked for an extended period of time. Not all of us are created equal. Some have different pain thresholds, may be under the influence or may be a emotionally disturbed person (EDP). You never know. So plan for the worst and hope for the best. But never expect ANYTHING you do to end the fight.
Should you throw your stun gun away? No way, but know that it is just a tool to help you survive. When a criminal sees the stun gun and even hears it, he may just start jumping around like his pants are on fire with out you even touching him. Great, knock him out or escape- the stung gun did its job. Look at pepper spray, stun guns, personal alarms are all excellent tools, but don't expect them to take the assailant out. Expect the minimum. They will afford you a distraction that will allow you to inflict more damage on the target or escape.
The problem is that people, especially in law enforcement, become too dependent on these tools. They are just that, tools to make your task easier. The majority of the time, a shot of pepper spray or a taser will do the job. Personally, I want to go home all of the time, not a majority of the time. But its up to you, do you want to be alive 70% of the time of 99% of the time. I don't know about you but you're not keeping me away from my family, no matter who you are. I am going to bite, kick, scrape and use any and everything to get me home to my family. How about you? What did you do today that will make you stay alive? Nothing, I'm already training.
Everyday, on my way to the office, I am training my grip. Every opportunity I can, I train.
Picture your enemy, in prison, on the corner, wherever. Put a face to him. When wresting legend Dan Gable used to train, he would picture his opponent practicing. He would get up in the middle of the night and do calisthenics because he was certain his opponent was sleeping. When Judo Kimura heard that his opponents trained 3 hours a day, he trained 6. When they went to 6, he trained for 9. It's up to you, but training is a habit, just like anything else. It starts small and then grows. Pick up the heavier load. Walk the long way around, take the stairs- it's a start.
I'll ask you again "What did you do today?" Like Vince Lombardi said, "Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that's first place."
The only place for you is first place- Surviving.
but what the heck- it's all about training.
Basic Drills
We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.
Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.
These can be trained as "stand alone" combinations OR worked into existing "Defendu" combinations either "before" or "after".
1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin (opposite side) then: HARD upward right knee to fork.
Repeat punching combo. Then: Side step with right leg (out and to the right 45 degree) LEFT knee to fork.
2. HARD left to chin. HARD right to solar-plexus.
Then the knee smashes as above.
3. HARD left to SOLAR-PLEXUS. HARD right to chin.
Then the knee smashes as above.
4. HARD left to solar-plexus. HARD right to SOLAR-PLEXUS.
Then the knee smashes as above.
Basically it's a series of drills to train the TWO most fundamental punches to head and body, followed by a knee smash to the nuts, practicing with either knee.
Give it a try.
NO BITCHING about "hurting" your hands! NO "Nancy" boys (or girls) allowed here!
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Now try this:
For the sake of the drill "visualize" an attacker moving in with a straight left lead right to your snot-box.
What realistic possibilities exist:
1. Side step IN to your LEFT and 45 degrees.
2. Side step DIRECTLY to YOUR left.
3. Side step BACK to LEFT at 45 degrees.
4. STEP directly to the REAR.
Any of these FOUR "inside" shifts/footwork maneuvers will allow you to avoid/evade the straight left and COUNTER from the OPEN or INSIDE line (his right/your left).
EACH of these sidestep/back step maneuvers HAS both advantages and disadvantages. Depending on environment-obstacles and/or multiple assailants, etc. EACH can be useful if NOT the only choice possible. FIGURE THIS OUT!
Now add the FOUR basic combinations. You NOW have TWENTY-FOUR drills to use and abuse. TWO HARD PUNCHES - A KNEE or KICK to the NUTS and FOUR footwork maneuvers and YOU have enough material to LAST FOR MONTHS or daily training.
AND THIS is only for YOUR LEFT SIDE!
SOOOOOOOOOO.........How do we train this and REALLY LEARN from it:
Face your main striking tool (Bob, Spar Pro, Heavy bag). VISUALIZE the STRAIGHT LEFT LEAD and THE BODY POSITION of your IMAGINARY attacker. The bag now becomes THAT assailant - Left hand snaking out to crush your - LEFT foot forward, BODY turned to a 45 degree.
OK? Get IT?
NOW practice sidestepping as above and then IMMEDIATELY countering. EACH FOOTWORK pattern will allow you (or FORCE you) to make adjustments in order to close in and HIT with POWER, speed, accuracy and BALANCE. WORK THIS!!!!!!!! Your common sense and BODY will TEACH YOU THE BEST WAY to do THIS!
NEXT...........................Place an OBSTACLE like a chair at various points to YOUR left or the bags right. This represents either a REAL obstacle OR a SECOND adversary.
NOW, figure OUT which BODY maneuver will GET YOU OUT of DODGE and still ALLOW for a HARD and FAST while GIVING the "second" opponent the LEAST chance of successfully attacking OR how you would have to move to AVOID a REAL WORLD obstacle.
And this is JUST the beginning! Imagine how GOOD you will become if you TRAIN EACH INDIVIDUAL technique like this!
Make a COMPLETE study of a KNEE smash, edge of hand, chin-jab, tiger-claw, side boot kick, groin kick, elbows, punches, and on and on! Master each INDIVDUAL attack covering ALL OPTIONS both left and right sides and LEFT and RIGHT body shifting!
THEN start with combinations!
Just think of the SKILL, SPEED, POWER and MASTERY you will acquire over EACH attack method, and THEN consider how well you'll move with your combinations!
This is what we worked on yesterday at Ralph's.
Like I always say...............YOU are YOUR BEST TEACHER!
Get something REALLY GOOD to HIT. Attach a rope or belt or anything that you can SEIZE HARD and YANK with your left hand. Now take your right fist and PUNCH AS HARD, AS FAST, AS POWERFULLY as YOU CAN REPEATEDLY. FASTER and HARDER. WITH AS MUCH INTENSE EMOTION, ANGER, RAGE, HATE, FURY, VENOM, FEROCITY and KILLING INSTINCT as you CAN!
A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu
Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.
I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900's wrote several books on the history of Japanese physical training & Jujitsu. I will start with his book Japanese Physical Training written in 1903.
"Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under Inouye San, instructor of Jiu-jitsu in the police department of that city".
This was the first time I heard of Inouye. Now if we look at Hancock's other book Jiu-jitsu Combat Tricks written a year later in 1904:
"Exponents of the Tenjin School of jiu-jitsu have developed in all its possible perfection a style of stopping the boxer's blow that cannot be surpassed for neatness of execution, effectiveness and swiftness. It is a feat that applies only to stopping a left-hand blow by the boxer."
Before leaving this book, the reason for the above two quotes are:
1.) The mentioning of Inouye, the jujitsu instructor of the Nagasaki police dept.
2.) The mention of the system "Tenjin/Tenshin"
Later you will see where I'm going with this.
Another quote that is very interesting.
"In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requires four years time".
That seems very reasonable, as I have read that it takes about 15 years to receive a Menkyo Kaiden in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu today. The question is, why so long? I don't have 15 years to devote to one art.
At this point I would like to bring up another old book on jiu-jitsu, "THE YABE SCHOOL OF JIU JITSU" written in 1904 by Yae Kichi Yabe. In Yabe's book he mentions that the system is based on that of "Tenshin". Also in this book is the phase "Vital Touches" used to describe Atemi or "Ate"!
Professor John J. O'Brien states that he received his diploma in Jiu Jitsu in 1905 from the Governor of Nagasaki. O'Brien spent ten years as Inspector of Police in Nagasaki. He was responsible for introducing Presiedent Teddy Roosevelt to Jiu Jitsu as well as instructing Colonel A.J. Drexel Biddle.
Next we move on to Col. Risher W. Thornberry. Thornberry wrote several books on jujitsu from 1905 to 1933. In his first jujitsu book written in 1905, the first page is very interesting. It shows a picture of Prof. Kishoku Inouye, "Instructor to the Nagasaki Police". At the top of the page it reads, "Jiu-jitsu - As taught by Prof. Inouye to over 2,000 Officers and Soldiers now at the front line." Reference to the Russo/Japanese war.
This book was written only a year or two after Hancock's book. They both mention Inouye & Tenshin. A definite connection is beginning to develop.
An interesting quote from Thornberry's book,
"Jiu-jitsu has a weapon in the form of "atemi, or vital touches", which may be administered with the thumb, the clenched hand, the elbows, the tows, the edge of the hand, or even with the head." Again, the reason for mentioning this quote is the use of the word "Vital touches".
Research shows that Thornberry actively taught jiu-jitsu. One of Thornberry's students was Samuel R. Linck. Linck went on to publish a book in 1943 called "COMBAT JIU JITSU". An excellent book. Linck studied under Thornberry in Los Angeles for a number of years. Linck received a "Master Diploma" from Thornberry in "Tenshin Ryu" dated May 6th, 1935.
In Linck's book he offers a brief history of jiu-jitsu.
"These forms of the art were closely guarded and only taught to the samurai or warrior class, the group now known as the Black Dragon Society".
Linck taught a man by the name George Tate. Linck and Tate taught a jiu-jitsu class in Los Angeles. Later on, Tate succeeded Linck as instructor and continued to teach and train in Jiu-jitsu. Tate went on to become the jiu-jitsu instructor for the Los Angeles police department and later conducted class at the L.A. Judo Club.
Bogu Training
About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a few members do it. I know there is other equipment out there that looks similar and I have used most of what's available. But it does not provide you with nearly the same overall effect that the bogu does. Rules in bogu training - Any punch, any kick, save foot stomps, a strike to the spine and to the back of the neck. Throws and leg kicking is certainly allowed. Use, dare I say, your commonsense.
What is the training like?
When you fight, you just go and beat the crap out of each other. This is the point. Sure, you look to get that "One Shot One Kill" but you have to train in a way that prepares you for reality. If you train to stop after that first shot- you are developing a habit that will come back to haunt you. You always train three techniques ahead.
Immediately, you will find out what works and what doesn't work. Depending on the drill, sometimes we do rounds, sometimes 10 second bursts. There's a little stalking- but when you go, it's like two freight trains smashing into one another. You hit, you get hit, you lock up, you knee and you throw- great stuff. One of the first things you will notice is that when you punch or kick the hard surfaces of the bogu- it hurts. A body will feel like a feather bed compared to a bogu. But, after a while- it doesn't hurt. Then you can start really throwing some lead!
You will also see what strikes have an effect and which ones do not. If you can back a guy up with the bogu on or ring his bell a bit- chances are it's a good shot. If you graze him, he keeps coming and you have to keep fighting.
The bogu also teaches you to keep fighting! Lesser equipment will cause you to slow down and stop when things get critical. Or stop when one person scores the point. Scoring a point does not mean the fight has ended. It's only a symbolic representation of it. It's not literal.
Wearing the bogu allows you to take punishment without being seriously hurt- save the fat lip, sore legs, fingers, toes or sore jaw. You will get used to the shock of being hit. This will enable you to operate in that harsh environment of combat and it will allow you to absorb as much damage as possible. I have seen people develop other things that allow you to feel nothing. This isn't really good either. It takes away the risk factor and all you have is two supermen running into one another with out any fear of pain. Plus it takes away the body conditioning element. As always, exercise caution and work at a level you can handle. When starting with people who haven't done it before- take it a little easy so they can get used to it. After a couple times- then you can blast 'em.
The MEN (Head Piece) of the bogu is extremely claustrophobic. This is an excellent way of replicating the effect of tunnel vision and frustration you feel when you are the hormonal stress of combat. Don't talk to me about something for MACHO or even Shureido- unless it's got the grill, it ain't cutting it.
The head piece also provides neck and chin protection that modern head-gear do not. Again, the chest protector is HARD. This is important to develop power and condition your weapons.
Can you tell who wins and who loses? Well if the guy quits you win. If you quit, you loose. But that's not the point. IT'S THE TRAINING. It's the befit of fighting like this that you want; the overall training effect NOT winning a game. Sure there are tournament rules, but that will force you to stop when you should be fighting!! It's the feeling of the fight, the punishment and the impact that counts. It's dealing with the confines of the bogu. Just the simple fact that your training partner no longer has a face and is replaced by this samurai from hell is worth the price of admission.
Is it cheap, no- but do you value good training or do you want to used that foamed dipped crap. It's up to you. This stuff will last you a life time. If you can sucker I mean convince some people to invest- take the plunge. Go to http://www.bogubag.com/Bogu/Karate_Bogu/karate_bogu.html. Get the traditional "Do" and "Tare", a set of grappling gloves a good cup, knee pads, the good old white, cheap shin and instep pads and a hachi maki or a bandanna. You don't need a mouth piece- the bogu will keep you mouth shut. I don't think Bogu bag knows I am recommending the link- but, it's good stuff.
Are You Frustrated Yet?
I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid they would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure and may get 'burnt out'. My response was, "What will they do when they get frustrated in life?" What happens when that kid has got to suck it up and go forward when it REALLY counts? Being a new parent, my daughter is 2 and I have another on the way, I only want the best for my child. What parent doesn't? It's obvious this parent I mentioned loves their child, but that's not the issue. The issue is what's best for everyone involved. What this child is being taught is to quit when things get tough. In an effort to protect the child, the parent winds up doing a disservice to the child. The result is undermining the ultimate goal- the training of the child.
Life is training
How does this pertain to you and why the hell am I brining it up? The segue's here: when you train, you want to look good. You want to hit hard and perfect every time. You want to throw for ippon every time. You want to score a knock out or submission every time. Every technique you throw hits its mark. Just like that parent- you want everything to go smoothly with out any hiccups or mistakes. As in life: "what you want and what you got, aren't exactly the same thing." If you are training and you never make a mistake, you are probably not pushing your self or being pushed enough. If that's not the case- give me your number, I want to train with you. If you have ever been in a situation where you had to survive, hardly anything goes smoothly- save the one punch knock out. It's frustrating, it doesn't look aesthetically pleasing; it's moments of frustration highlighted by some good or bad luck. Please note: according to my Dad "luck" is where preparation meets opportunity. No doubt a sentiment echoed from his days in the Marines.
Like that parent I mentioned before- you treat your training like that child. You are worried about the minutia. Micro-managing your work out so you feel better every second without looking at the big picture. How will you deal with the frustration of a real knock down, drag out fight? Unless you're dealing with a push-over, you will you're your hands full. Where a lot of tradition type martial artists fail is that they expect that perfect reverse punch to hit its target EVERY TIME. This is a goal of training. An idea, like finding the perfect cherry blossom or the perfect cheese steak; the one shot, one kill can be translated any number of ways. Again, the Japanese language is comprised of a lot of synonyms. It could mean, when you get the opportunity- make it count!
In your training you need to replicate the frustration when you train. If you are hitting your training dummy perfect every time- go harder and faster. If you are being too successful- push the people around you. Get them a little agitated (I'll leave that to your imagination). If you don't, you will be setting yourself up for a big let down. When it really counts- YOUR instincts will not be ready to fight through it. Just like that child, you will look to back away and quit because that's what you were taught. What do you do when you get frustrated?- you train harder and fight through it.
Remember: Life is Training
Training enables you to handle what life hands you better. Experience is what you get after you deal with what life gives you. Your experience gets put back into your training.
You are constantly training and teaching- whether you like it or not. No matter what you do you are shaping your behavior and the behavior of people around you. People affect you the way you allow them to. But that's a whole other discussion.
Does It Hurt When I Do This?
Let me tell you something. I don't bruise too easily. You guys know after years of Wrestling, Football, Karate, Jujutsu and Judo- you develop resistance to those types of things. Well at least I That's what I thought? Every time I work out with Carl Cestari, I am left with reminders of our time together. I have to tell you, the day after filming the Combat Jujutsu Series I had bits and pieces bruised or missing!!!
One time in particular, when Carl was on the bottom (Soon to be released CJ3 How to Build a Solid Ground Defense) and he put his thumb in my hip to create an opening. Now at the time, it hurt, so I moved. That created the little opening that Mr. Cestari wanted to move to a more advantageous position. H proceeded to take me apart with a series of strikes, locks and whatever he felt like doing. The next morning as I was getting dressed, realizing how sore I was, I noticed a quarter size bruise on my hip!
I have known and Studied with Carl Cestari since 1989. Every time he puts his hands on me it you can anticipate the pain that's about to be delivered. Next time you watch the Combat Jujutsu Series, the grunts and groans are FOR Real. We didn't rehearse that; Hell, We didn't rehearse anything. You are seeing real reactions from Real Trained Techniques! When Carl wanted me to move- he MADE me move.
When we were shooting CJ2, And he was working the pressure points in my head, neck and face- I moved, and to be honest- you start to get pissed off- Man, the pain was just annoying and my instinct was to fight back. The next thing I knew, I was in a shoulder or neck dislocation or he was raining Edge of hand Blows on my collar bones, neck and head- Oh well?
The trick to developing that kind of power and instinct is: there is no "trick", Carl Trains the stuff- a lot. Grip training, hitting the training dummies and after the hundreds of thousands of repetitions Your body Discovers How to deliver the indeed strike with Maximum Efficiency. Every, muscle and fiber In your body is set to deliver its payload. That's why when some one like Carl puts his hands on you (so far I have only experienced 2 people that can do this- Carl Cestari Sensei and Yoshisada Yonezuka Sensei) you get begin to feel the pain potential because their muscles are already moving toward their intended purpose. The first time Yonezuka Sensei demonstrated some ground technique on me - when he positioned himself on top of me - his shins felt like someone placed 2 cinder blocks on edge on each of my legs; and we hadn't even started Yet! Not Bad for a man in his late 60's!
In the Combat Jujutsu series Carl Demonstrates some of these Body conditioning techniques- The "lead pipe" Shin conditioning is something to see. www.combatjujutsusecrets.com To learn more about Yonezuka Sensei Check out:
So You Think You Train Hard
"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo" By Jim Chen, M.D . and Theodore Chen
Hirano 7th Dan At Age 42
Tokio Hirano (5'5", 75 kg), obtained Godan (5th dan) at age 19, is perhaps the greatest Judo technician of all time. He is probably the best known Japanese Judoka in Europe. In 1952, Hirano went to teach Judo in Europe. Within six years, he had accumulated over 4,300 wins. In order to promote Judo, Hirano would fight all black belts in the city where he taught Judo. In November 1954, in Mannheim, Germany, Hirano scored all ippons (knock out) in 34 minutes against 54 black belt opponents (1-3 dan).Traditional nage-waza (throwing techniques) were taught in the following sequence: kumu (gripping), tsukuru (the entry and proper fitting of your body into position taken just before the movement required for completion of your throwing technique), kakeru (completing), and nageru (throwing).Hirano revolutionized the order to tsukuru, kumu, kakeru and nageru. This is the current European style Judo. This is a proven method to defeat bigger opponents, as demonstrated by Hirano's stunning success. Wilhelm Ruska (Holland) 192 cm, 115 kg, was his most accomplished student. Ruska was the world heavyweight champion in 1967 and 1971 and runner up in 1969 (open weight). Wilhelm was the dual gold medalist in heavy and open weight class at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Win Against European Wrestling Champion
Hirano throwing Artz
In the spring of 1955, Hirano went to teach in Amsterdam, Holland. He was challenged by Peter Artz (four time European free style wrestling heavy weight champion). Hirano agreed to both a Judo and wrestling fight. Each match was for ten minutes. The wrestling match would be decided by pinning the back for ten seconds. The Judo match would decided by a clean throw. At the start of the wrestling match, Hirano was able to throw Artz several times, but was unable to pin him due to perspiration (they fought without a Judo gi). About six minutes into the fight, Hirano made a Kiai (yell). He jumped and grabbed Artz's head and threw him with a koshi-guruma (Head lock or Hip wheel throw), pinned him with kesa-gatame (Scarf Hold) for ten seconds; winning the wrestling match. In the Judo match, there was no contest. Within 30 seconds Hirano threw Artz cleanly with ippon seoinage (Shoulder throw).
Fourteen Wins At Kodokan - 1941
Hirano, age 19 During Judo's one hundred year history, the easiest way to get a rank promotion from Kodokan was to take part in the Ko-Haku Shiai (red-white team competition) which was held twice a year (Spring and Fall). By winning with 5 ippons one could receive a one dan promotion the same day. Hirano was born on August 6th, 1922 in Hyogo prefecture (near Kobe), Japan. Hirano obtained his first black belt by winning 22 ippons with osoto-gari. He graduated from Hei-an high school as 3rd dan, later he was recertified by Kodokan as 4th dan. He moved to Takushoku university in April 1941 under the recommendation of his Sensei Fukushima. During his seven months training at Takushoku University, he did nothing but newaza. Hardly did he have a chance to practice tachi-waza (throwing techniques).
Hirano Trains with Fukushima 9th dan
On October 19, 1941, Hirano participated in the Ko-haku shiai. That morning he received a bag of several persimmons, a gift from Wushijima Sensei. During the training session, Wushijima was so fierceful that everybody was afraid of him. On the other hand he was so kind and thoughtful, almost like a tender loving father. Hirano was very grateful for the teaching and kindness from Wushijima Sensei. He swore to do the best in the Ko-haku Shiai. Hirano defeated a Kodokan record 14 opponents. All of his opponents were 4th dan, and were defeated with ippon seoinage, juji gatame (arm lock), kamishiho-gatame (upper four corner pin), tai-otoshi (body drop), ouchi-gari (small inner leg reap), tsurikomi-goshi (lifting hip throw) or osoto-gari (Big outer leg reap). He fought to a draw with his 15th opponent. All Japan Collegiate Judo Championship 1941-42
On October 31, 1941 , Hirano participated in the All Japan Collegiate Judo Championship. In the fourth round he won by tsurikomi-goshi, fifth round by tai-otoshi; and sixth round by juji-gatame. His final opponent was Yasuichi Matsumoto (187 cm, 90 kg, All Japan Champion in 1948, famous for Tenri style osoto-gari) . Matsumoto attacked Hirano with osoto-gari. Hirano countered with osoto-gari and tai-otoshi. Neither scored a point when time was up. Hirano managed to throw Matsumoto immediately during the overtime with seoi-nage (both should throw) to obtain his first major title. All of the matches after the fourth round to final were decided by Ippon. Techniques used included osoto-gari, uchi-mata (inner thigh throw), tai-otoshi, seoi-nage, tsurikomi-goshi, hane-goshi (spring hip throw) and juji-gatame. It was an amazingly high quality competition. The following year, Hirano took the title again with five ippons. In the semi-finals, he had a tough fight against Okubo (182 cm,104 kg) 5th dan. Hirano managed to throw him with seoi-nage and scored a wazaari (half point). In the final match, Hirano defeated Tsunoda with osoto-gari. In 1943 Hirano met Okubo again at the Judo Championship 5th dan division, sponsored by The Department of Imperial Affairs. Like their previous match, no points were scored for the first seven minutes. During the overtime, Hirano eventually won by ippon with an ouchi-gari and seoinage combination.
Third National Athletic Judo Championship - 1947
Hirano took part in the individual championship held on November 2, 1947. Kimura , Ishikawa (champion in 1948, '49), Hirosei (champion in 1943) and Matsumoto decided not to compete in this meet and allow one of the rookies to win the major title. How gracious they were. Nevertheless, Yoshimatsu (champion in 1952, '53 and '55) and Daigo (champion in '51, '56) were among the contenders. In the third round Hirano won by seoi-nage. In the semi-finals he won by tai-otoshi. His final opponent was Hadori (170 cm, 95kg, famous for tsurikomi-goshi and kouchi-gari). Hadori defeated Daigo by ura-nage (back arch throw) at the semi-finals. Hadori proved to be a formidable fighter. Hadori attacked with tsurikomi-goshi, and seoi-nage while Hirano applied his osoto-gari and tai-otoshi with no result. With time running out, Hirano managed to score a wazaari with osoto-gari, thus winning the championship.
Jigoku Kego - Hell Training with Wushijima
In high school, Hirano practiced Judo six hours a day and would randori for two hours. Between 8:30pm and 11pm at Yoshikatakai Ziku, he would randori against 3-4 th dan opponents from Bushen (Academy of Martial Arts). Every night he slept around 1:00am.The following morning he awoke at 5:30am and repeated the routine again. He started with one hundred and fifty push-ups, then jogged and sprinted for 2km, and finished with 40 minutes of randori.Hard training paid off even though he was small and inexperienced as a 2nd dan. Every so often he was able to throw 3rd and 4th dan opponents from Bushen. When Hirano moved to Tokyo and trained under Wushijima Sensei (Wushijima 9th dan, two time All Japan champion) at Takushoku University, he finally realized what Jigoku Kego really was! It consisted of five minutes of warm-ups, 3-4 hours of continuous Ne Waza. This was "Hell Training!" It was considered disgraceful to surrender while being choked. As a result, a typical scene at Takushoku Dojo was 4-5 people passed out, unconscious from chokes. While Hirano was a student in Takushoku University, he went to the Metropolitan police dojo to practice. In 3 hours of continuous randori, he had accumulated approx 500 ippons on 60 black belts. Pre-WWII Judoka felt that a winning or losing was not a matter of talent but rather that of hard training. "Attack Till Your Heart Stop Beating" was Wushijima Sensei's Motto Hirano obtained his first black belt by winning 22 ippons, at the high school team competition at the National athletic championship held on November 3, 1939. In the semifinals, Hirano and his opponent fell from the 2 meter high stage to the ground. Despite the doctor's orders to stop, Hirano refused to forfeit. The match was fought to a draw. In the final match Hirano faced a 4th dan opponent. Again the match ended with a draw, following the match, Hirano passed out. The doctor later determined that Hirano had a dislocated left shoulder and two broken ribs. Hirano possessed this fighting spirit even before Wushijima's hell training.Judo was not a sport to those pre WWII Judoka. It was more of a Samurai duel. In order to win the shiai, vigorous training was absolutely necessary. Five hundred push ups, randori 6 hours, plus tachi-ki-wuchikomi (repetition against a tree) was a common training regiment for success. Training was so intense enough that Hirano once dreamt of collapsing the tallest building with his osoto-gari.
Hirano trains Ruska
Ruska once asked Hirano the key to strong Judo. Hirano replied that there was no such medicine. Hirano advised Ruska to train for hand grip power whenever possible, stair climbing and hip strengthening. Ten days before the 1967 world Judo championships, Hirano practiced with Ruska. Hirano felt that Ruska's tachi-waza was only second class (Pre WWII Japanese standard). Ruska's newaza was fifth class. At that time Hirano was able to apply choke or osaekomi (pinning) very easily. When Ruska won the heavy weight champion title, Hirano was very happy that his student was so successful. On the other hand, he was very sad that Japanese Judo had declined to a level he could not imagine.
Judo World Loses Two Giants Kimura And Hirano In 1993
Wushijima sensei nurtured and trained two Judo great, Masahiko Kimura and Tokio Hirano. Unfortunately Kimura died on April 18, 1993.Tokio Hirano returned to Japan in 1966 after Judo touring in Europe for 15 years. He later returned to Europe to conduct annual Judo clinics. Even at the age of 60, he practiced ne-waza with 20 years old varsity students. The great legendary technician died of cancer of liver on July 26, 1993. Through his two books, thousands of students, and memory of those incredible fights, this great legend will live forever. Hirano's trademark throw was a leaping tai-otoshi
Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.
Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method
Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
Background:
"Prior to my association with the armed forces of Great Britain and the United States I served as Assistant Commissioner in Command of the Riot Squads of the Shanghai Municipal Police Command from 1925 to 1940. During this period, our force handled over 2000 riot calls of all types and descriptions, including shooting affrays, many of which were against armed robbers and kndnappers. In addition, the squads were responsible for the investigation and tracking down of vice-rings and narcotics smugglers."..........
".......The art of close contact fighting includes fighting with and without knives; firing of a pistol under every conceivable condition and at every possible position likely to be met in actual combat during day or night.........."
MYSTERY RANGES-
"In order to create simulated combat conditions for training purposes, I planned and supervised the erection of indoor mystery ranges at Areas B-2, A-3, E and F. These ranges were originally developed by me in connection with police work in China and were first used in military training in the courses given to the British Commandos and the British Army. In the mystery ranges a simulation was affected of actual battle noises, conditions under which shooting affrays occur, especially in house to house combat. The training included methods of entering closed and locked doors, methods of bursting open such doors, methods of using trap doors, methods of roof top figthing and firing on moving and possibly concealed targets. Under varying degrees of light, darkness, and shadows, plus the introduction of sound effects, moving objects, and various alarming surprises, an opportunity is afforded to test the moral fibre of the student and to develop his courage and capacity for self control."
"The course consists of practical war methods of shooting with the one-hand gun, in which any man of average intelligence can be taught to draw, load fire and hit his opponent within a second."
"This is not a new fangled idea, but a proven method which has been in use in the far-east since 1919, against some of the most dsperate criminals in the world - men who were, (in most cases), known killers, who preferred always to shoot it out, rather than being captured and finishing up in front of a firing squad, etc....."
"All affrays were on the run - up and down stairways, over roofs, down cobbled alleyways, or in very crowded streets. Ninety percent of the shooting was in the dark and the majority of hits were within four yards. Some of the police were killed by being shot in the back at a matter of inches distance only."
"Students should be informed that the average shoting with the one-hand gun is over, so far as they will be concerned, in a very few seconds. There will no time to reload. If there first shot takes longer than a third of a second to fire, they will not be the one to tell the newspaper about it. It is literally a matter of the quick and the dead - so they can take their choice."
Elements of Unarmed Combat
Custom build your own personal "system":
Useful areas of training and study to find, train and develop the various "parts" -
To develop STRIKING:
Western BOXING
Savate
Muay Thai (Burmese Boxing)
Jiu Jitsu ATEMI
Old style KEMPO
To develop GRAPPLING:
Catch/Freestyle Wrestling
Greco-Roman Wrestling
JUDO
Sambo (Real SAMBO/SOMBO)
Brazilian Jujutsu
A comprehensive study of the above will provide methods applicable to ANY so-called "ranges" of combat.
They will also provide ALL "techniques" necessary -
Striking, punching, kicking, knees, elbows, headbutts, biting, gouging, ripping, clawing, crushing, joint breaking(from the neck to the ankles), throws, trips, take-downs, strangles, chokeholds, and other assorted "nasties".
"Mixed Martial Arts". BULL@#$!(sounds like a f@#$ing breakfast omelet or pancake mix). This is real Kill Or Get Killed UNARMED COMBAT, gaining the ability and knowledge to EXPLOIT any and ALL weaknesses of the enemy and to NEVER EVER be caught by "surprise".
ADD to this the ability to USE REAL and EFFECTIVE WEAPONS and you have about the MOST comprehensive system possible.
Its not going to look pretty. It never does.
And NEVER forget HARD TOUGH and PRODUCTIVE physical training for speed, power, strength, endurance and TOUGHNESS. Get your self in the best physical condition possible. The better shape you are in, the more damage you can absorb. You will get hit, you will get hurt- how much is up to you. Last, but not least: Get your MIND right, DO what HAS to be DONE when IT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE you have to make the decision. Kill or BE KILLED. Screw the BULL*&^%. Leave the poetry writing for later. when it comes down to it, it's just a matter of who is left.
The Dojo
Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us in to specific "category".........
We don't just write articles. There is a place we actually train in these methods every day. This is where people of various backgrounds come together and have one thing in common, TRAINING.
At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in grappling methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training in throws, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, strangleholds, and varied submissions. We drill and drill and FIGHT.
At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in striking, punching, and kicking methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training. We drill and drill, we hit heavy bags, banana bags, uppercut bags, speedbags, "makiwara", and "spar pros". We train full contact with Bogu and FIGHT.
At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in hard combative oriented physical conditioning. Strength training, speed training, endless drills, grappling enhancement drills, striking enhancement drills. This helps us FIGHT. This is what we do.
The DOJO is there. It's real and tangible. It's where we TRAIN. Just a note to anyone who might believe we sit around JUST reading books and pontificating. The door is always open and the invitation to train is there. You can call 973.831.0315.