Online Budo And Buddies

Over the years I have have been involved with some martial arts forums. The one I was most involved with was Christoper Caile's Fightingarts.com. By far the greatest benefit of being involved with the site was ultimately meeting many of the members of the online community in person. Among those many folks that I have visited with is Brad Burkund. Brad is and an Ashihara Karate practioner living and teaching in Californina. The first time I met Brad was on a trip to visit my teacher's, teacher for his 84th birhday.

Brad and I had interacted on the forum and when I told him I would be in his neck of the woods he offered to meet me at the hotel where I was staying. I had limited time and other obligations on that trip so we really did not get to train together. We talked for a couple of hours and plowed through a pizza. At the end of the night as we walked to his car he introduced me to Ashihara's approach to the thigh kick. That my friends, was an eye opener. He sent some video of their training to me when I returned home. After I viewed the video I realized that I got off lucky with just the thigh kick.



Since that first brief encounter we have had additional opportunities to visit and train together. He has family in Kansas and has been kind enough to fit us in when he has come through town. My time with him has may me reconsider my approach and include aspects of his training that have benefited my students and myself. Brad is a very technical martial artist and teacher. The most impressive quality as I look back on the visits was his impectable timing that is impossble to explain. It must be experienced. One of the other high points of his visits is that he does not come by himself. His lovely wife has been our guest too. She is a seemingly demure lady whose timing with her words is a as subtle a masterfully placed as her husbands kicks.



Recently they celebrated the birth of their first child. Because of our time online and time together my wife and I have something to celebrate too, extended "family" in California.

How about you? Have any you had friendships on line that turned into flesh and blood friendships or training partners?

It's The Weekend BABY!!!

The euphoria over the arrival of the weekend and the disorientation brought on by ingesting over a ton of tainted Japanese mayonnaise collide in one string bikini.

Bunkai Pinan Nidan / PyungAhn Edan, Spear Hand

Just because a spear hand is targeted to the solar plexus in a form, does not mean that is the only use for it.

Toxic Dump

After the affiliates finished unloading the trucks contents into the subterranean dojo, Spazwell runs the anchor leg of the mission. The disposal of the tainted Kewpie Cm Mayonnaise. Once again Oldman and the O.I.O.A. have foiled Takahashis plans, but at what cost to the nation.

The O.I.O.A. Report Back To Base

Hold the Mayo

Still groggy and shaking off the effects of his tainted turkey and mayonnaise sandwich Oldman woke to the hissing and schreeching of air brakes. Looking out the window of the Hombu dojo he saw three trucks piloted by the O.I.O.A krew. Not sure if he was awake, dreaming or halucinating he climed back into bed.

Iain Abernethy and Jissen 4

Some of you are already familiar with the work of Iain Abernethy. For those of you who are not familiar with him or his work, here is a short bio from his website.

Iain Abernethy is one of the UK's leading exponents of applied karate and kata application (bunkai). His martial arts DVDs and books have sold worldwide and have been translated into other languages. Iain holds a 5th Dan with both the British Combat Association (awarded by Peter Consterdine 8th Dan and Geoff Thompson 6th Dan) and the EKGB (awarded by Doug James 7th Dan).

Jissen 4 Iain's free online magazine, has been released. In addition his new site is up and running.

I contributed to this issue as well as the last. The illustrations in this issue are applications from Bassai. The images are from "Oldman's Boobishi" the digital collection of drawings that are a humorous record of what I have found as I have explored Kata / Forms over the years I have been training. I hope people will enjoy my contribution to his magazine. This is what Iain said about my site...

"These cartoons are absolutely great! Superbly funny and educational too! Many thanks for sending them across. It's a great blog you've put together and all serious martial artists (and silly ones too for that matter!)should have it as one of their internet favourites!"

The first 3 issues of "Jissen" are available in Iain's website. If you are interested in receiving Issue #4 it is now available for download at...

http://www.iainabernethy.com

or

http://www.jissenmag.com

There is no "US" in Stimulus

O.I.O.A. Members Before Congress

Coco Strong, Coco Beautiful

Late Night

Dave agrees to help. Oldman appears as a guest on his old student's show. Disguised as Joaquin Phoenix and rendered mute by the tainted mayonnaise, Oldman is still able to inform "The Squad" by using American Sign Language with his left foot.

This Just In.....

Later that evening CNN broke a story. There were beginning to be reports that there was some kind of contamination at a Japanese food processing plant. Reports claimed that a Mayonnaise named Kewpie may have been tainted during it's manufacturing process. Oldman's heart sank as he looked around his family room at the remains of his dinner. They were one empty bag of Original Lays Potato Chips an empty 2 litre bottle of Diet Coke and one half eaten Turkey Club sandwich with Kewpie Lite mayonnaise. Knowing he had fallen victim to Takahashi's plan the only thing left to do was notify "The Squad". He had to do this in a way that would not cause a panic. As he grabbed his keys and headed to the door he began to feel "funny". He thought maybe his former student Dave could help him get the message out.

Like a Ton Of Bricks

Just as he thought he was going to be able to relax Oldman is nearly thrown from his Lazyboy. Takahashi's commercial suddenly blasts from Oldman's 17" low def television. Sadly he realized he would not even have one evening without a reminder of Takahashi's hunger for power... and... Mayonnaise?

Takahashi Regroups

After her failed attempt to take out bloggers BBM, Ikagai, and Colin Wee, Takahashi regroups. Her plan to use trained super poodles as assassins proved to be a dismal failure. Recruiting new henchmen from a roster of junior college all americans, she begins to implement her next attack on the O.I.O.A.. Once again working through the media, Takahashi begins to send subliminal messages via television commercials. At 6:41p.m. Takahashi launches "Operation Kewpie Half CM". The commercials air simultaneously in Tokyo, Washington D.C. and Kansas city. The message comes through loud and clear.

Affirmation Monday

Bunkai Pinan / Heian Yondan, Pyung Ahn Sahdan

Bunkai Pinan Shodan / PyungAhn Chodan 2

Bunkai Pinan Shodan / PyungAhn Chodan

In this video you see potential applications for movements in this kata / form. The applications are built on movements 6,7, and eight which are commonly referred to as a down block, a rising knife hand and a high block.

Bobby Coco Street Fight Academy

Hadley "The Niceman" Stolte

Our story today is not just about Mixed Martial Arts. No fight fans this is a tale about Cage fighting and true love. Hadley "The Niceman" Stolte is an up and coming fighter training under Bobby Coco of Bobby Coco's Cagefight Academy in Chatham New Jersey.

I asked Hadley why he chose Bobby Coco's. Stolte responded

"You see I live in the midwest where I work as an architect. Before I began fighting my hobby was riding greyhound buses. I figured this way I could combine all the things I really love, architecture, training and riding buses, oh and twizzlers, I love twizzlers".

Is it true that you wear you glasses when to fight?

"Yes, I figure if I'm wearing them maybe guys won't punch me in the face because they could break. I wouldn't want to break someones glasses".

You really are "The Niceman" aren't you?

"Yes".

We hear that you have recently gotten married again.

"Well yes I did. I was fighting in a match in Junction City Kansas when I saw her. She was a ring girl. I took one look at her and thought to myself Circus Peanuts!. You know those orange candy things. I like them about as much as I like twizzlers. But I was wrong she is definateley a Twizzler and not a circus peanut. She's that sweet".

So how did you find Bobby Coco?

Allison, my wife worked with this guy named "Oldman". The rest is history.

So you trained with Oldman!?

"Oh no he thought I was a danger to myself. So he recommended Coco. He just didn't think I would ride the bus all the way there. I guess I showed him".

You have been taking on a lot of fights lately. What is your record?

"I'm still looking for my first win".

What are you plans for the future?

"Well I'm going to try to get to Coco's at least once a month. As much as I like the bus thing it's a pretty long way. In addition I might as well make it official. I'm leaving my firm, and the field of architecture. I'm going to try and make it in the fight game. One day I'm gonna have kids and they are going to want candy. I feel it's my duty as a man to provide it. Fighting is my life, and harmonicas. Fighting and harmonicas.

"And Twizzlers?"

Duh!!! Of Course.

How does Allison feel about it? The fight thing?

"Who?"

You know... Circus Peanut.

"Oh yeah! She behind me all the way. At least thirty percent.

Well, Hadley, Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Is there anything you would like to say to your fan out there?

"Yes. I told you I would pay you back for that burrito at Chipotle and I will. Stop calling. Stop following me and start following your dreams. Not the scary ones the good ones".

Thats a good reminder for all of us.

And Allison, I hope your husband enjoys Freak A Friend Friday.

Bobby Coco Bar Fight Academy

Bobby Coco Cagefight Academy

Flush with money from a quick legal settlement with the Chatham police Bobby Coco remodels his gym. He also begins to seriously consider different target markets.

Primate Shooting At MMA Gym

The MMA world was rocked today by news of a shooting in an MMA gym in Chatham, New Jersey. The gym known as Bobby Coco's Cage Fight Academy is an SBGwiz affiliate. Witnesses report that as the class began the randori portion of their training, Chatham police happened to drive by the gym. As they did they reportedly witnessed Bobby Coco, a Primate Coach, grappling on the floor with a student. Thinking the primate was attacking the student, police entered the gym an opened fire on the unsuspecting Coco. When asked why they shot Bobby Coco police replied, "He would not submit". We asked Dr. Nathan Lathrop a Primate JiuJitsologist about the incident. Dr. Lathrop stated unequivocally that "Primates are wild animals. People should not P'own P'rimates".

Stimulus Package

The affect of the recent downturn in the economy can be felt in the martial arts community. It is not just the big banks and automakers that are struggling to make end meet. Deciding to take dramatic action to stem the flow of students and there moms out of dojos and gyms "The O.I.O.A." board of directors head to Washington in an effort to get their packages stimulated.

Jeet Kune Do 2009

Jeet Kune Do is known for it's progressive and innovative approach. It is it's strength as well as it's weakness. Some practitioners become mired in the "classical mess" while others have a diffiult time understanding the concept of "Aliveness". Some devotees even have trouble grasping the difference between a "Rear Naked Choke" and a "Rear Choke Naked".

Don't Forget "FREAK A Friend Friday"

We are 2 days away from "FREAK a Friend Friday". That means your "intell" has to be in by thursday night If you want someone you know to appear in an Oldman Boobishi cartoon. Send me an email at Boobishi@gmail.com with informaton about them ad maybe a photo. Are they unusually flatulent? Do they sing behind the wheel? Each week I choose a story and person to weave into the ongoing storyline. So if you want to freak someone out by having them end up in an internet cartoon let me know.

I might just choose your person.

Jeet Kune Do 1975

Straight Blast Gym

Over the years many have attemtped to build on the on the foundation Bruce Lee laid. One innovative follower is Matt Thornton. Matt founded the Straight Blast Gym and is currently the head of SBGi, Straight Blast Gym International. SBGi is know for their "Alive" philosophy of training and committment to "resistant" training. The organization has been so successful that it has recently spawned a few imitators.

Jeet Kune Do

The Unveiling

I made a mistake in my announcement about our prizewinner. He is not from the U.K. My bad. Our winner MattyChi opted to to forgo his prize and give it to his twin sister. His sister is a college student and a real cutie (at least Spazwell thought so). The artwork is done and ready to be put in the frame and shipped. But first the unveiling.

Bunkai Pinan / Heian Yondan, Pyung Ahn Sahdan

Recently I had the opportuniy to see a remarkable collection of photos. The photos were part of a collection of early Chung Do Kwan history. Many of the photos included My teacher's teacher, Yong Taek Chung and also Won Kuk Lee, the man who founder the Chung Do Kwan in 1944.

I am fascinated by the faces in the photos. I would love to know the stories of each individual pictured. I have heard some of the stories. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like for people caught between transitioning governments and the hardships that came from that. Today martial arts are considered a hobby, sport or pastime. I can only imagine what these young men thought as they walked through the door of the Chung Do Kwan in those early days.




After posting the photos, two online friends helped me with the translation of writing on the photos. This quote is from Tashigae... "OK, here we go. The first three characters, in case you haven't recognized them by yourself yet, are 'To' - 'te' - 'do' ('Tang' - 'shou' - 'dao' in Chinese), 'Chinese' - 'hand' - 'way', in other words Tode-do, the old name of karate-do. The three next characters are Chung Do kwan ('qing' 'tao' 'guan' in Chinese, 'guan' being 'kwoon' in Cantonese and 'kan' in Japanese, as in 'Shotokan', Bujinkan', etc.) and mean Green Wave school (in Chinese, 'guan' actually refers to a building with only one or two floors but a very large surface. Didn't know how to translate that, so I chose to translate contextually as 'school', since it's often used as a metonymy for a school or style in Japanese). The next three characters mean 'the [N]th time' ('di [N] hui' in Chinese, don't know how to pronounce them in Japanese). The next character is unknown to me (sorry), but the next one ('cha' in Chinese, Japanese pronounciation unknown) suggests me that the two together might mean 'examination' or something like that. The next one ('hui' in Chinese) means 'meeting', 'gathering'. The last two characters ('ji nian' in Chinese) mean 'keep record', 'keep memory' (I must confess I had to ask my beloved for this one ).

To sum it up:'record of the [N]th (examination?) meeting at the Green Wave dojo' ([N] being 3, 5, 7, 2 in that order)".

So the above photo is a photo to commemorate the third promotion examination at the Chung Do Kwan. The other numbers in his quote are from other photos he saw which I have not posted yet.

Here is a bit more from ButterflyPalm a friend from Milasysia...

You were doing so well I thought you should carry on. However the problem with translating single words only in any language has pitfalls. But generally you are right most of the time. It is obvious different generations of Koreans wrote those non-simplified Chinese words in the best calligraphic style he/she could muster. The best and the clearest was the last one, perhaps representing a gradual improvement in Korean education. I am surprised that up to the 50s the Koreans were still using the Chinese characters for such auspicious occasions as the founding or setting up ('Chuang Li') of Song Moo Kwan, which the Koreans may have pronounced "Song" as "Chung" (hence Chung Do Kwan) which is also the Cantonese pronunciation of the pine tree.

The pine tree has some cultural significance in China (see all those Chinese black & white ink paintings where pine trees grew out of high barren rock cliff faces?) It shows fortitude and courage, qualities which the founding fathers of Song Moo Kwan obviously wanted to instill in the "Green Wave" Green Wave ("Qing Tao") when read together in this context most likely means an 'Eternal Youth Movement' (a 'wave' so to speak) as both characters have respectively 'young & longevity' radicals in them. 'Qing' also has the meaning of young crops and so we have the idea of planting the seeds of future greatness in these Korean youths that will eventually and eternally grow into manhood achieving great things.

The word you had problem with is the word before "Cha" (to investigate/examine) It is "Shen" -- also having the meaning of 'to examine as in a court of law' Read together in this context it simply means a grading test. Ji Nian" in this context simply means a commemoration ceremony. Ji = to remember; Nian = to think of in remembrance. I was suprised by the word "Green".

I was expecting Blue wave. I have read that Funikoshis's "Shotokan" could be translated as Pine Wave Hall or school. In " Karate do My Way of Life" he spoke of the pine trees in his native Okinawa. I later asked Tashigae about the color question. This was his reply...

Qing’ should actually be translated as ‘dark bluish green’. I’ve seen it translated as ‘green’, ‘black’ and ‘blue’ depending on the circumstances, although ‘green’ remains the most common one. ButterflyPalm's comment about the founding of the Song Moo Kwan was also in regard to another photograph. Both Won Kuk Lee and Yong Taek Chung were present in the photo commemorating the opening of that Kwan.

We Now Have Two Winners !!!

Thanks everyone for entering. Lets do it again soon. Of course
if you are able to name my five celebrity training partners, You could win a framed black and white original drawing TODAY.

Watch the video to see who won the free oldman art.

Our second winner was JoelM who successfully named five of Oldman's celebrity students and posted their names in the comments under the "After Class" post.

Vincent D'Onofrio
David Faustino
Justin Timberlake
Brad Pitt
George Clooney

Do You want more clues?

Someone just emailed me that they solved the puzzle, you know,cracked the case. Not yet but she did find 4 clues. Shes hot on the trail of the grail, a framed Oldman original.

Here is one..

Labels for this post: Did you pay atten

Here is another clue...

Be the first to name all five celebrity students.......

Find Them! I Want Names!

Find them. Name the celebrities before Takahashi does.

Oldman Drawing Tomorrow.............BUT!

Yes the drawing for the original Oldman artwork is tomorrow...but there is a twist. There are actually two contests and two prizes currently up for grabs. The challenge for you is to find the second contest then be the first to the complete the task. Do that and you win also. So if you'd rather bet on your detective skills than luck..."release the hounds".

Three Little Maids From School

Andy Connolly, Happy "Freak A Friend Friday".

Indomitable Spirit

After Class

I wanted to take a minute to try to put something into words. First off I'll start by saying that I'm pretty confident I'll fail dismally. The thing is even if I do, I know that you will get the idea. There are a lot of things in martial arts that are hard to put into words. What I wanted to talk about is the time together after class. You have worked hard and pushed each other. It may be have been your first class or you may have been training together for years. The endorphins are flowing and so is the bottled water. You might have to apologize for and errant punch or laugh about a close call. In our style there is a membership oath that is repeated at the beginning and end of class. Part of the oath states "We as members are united in mutual friendship". It is something we are urged to reflect on. Since my dojo is in my home, many times these after class sessions happen in my living room. For me it's one of the best parts of training, the time after class.

Don't Forget

Don't forget to enter the drawing for a framed Oldman original. Just email the phrase "I wants me some Oldman" to Boobishi@gmail.com.

Chung Do Kwan, 1956 and 2008

A while back I found some early Chung do kwan footage on YouTube. I thought it might be interesting to juxtapose film from 1956 and video from our class in 2008. Some of the men seen in the film are still alive and teaching today. Sadly many early Chung Do Kwan pioneers have passed away. Most notably for me, Young Taek Chung. Chung was the 7th person to become a black belt under Won Kuk Lee. Sabumnim Chung was my teachers instructor and the head of our organization.

Walker Texas Arranger

Announcing "Freak A Friend Friday"

Your mission, should you choose to accept... "Freak A Friend Friday".


Yep, that's it, freak out a friend on friday. How? let Oldman do it. With your help that is. Pick one of your friends, send me just enough info on them for me to add them into a cartoon. Do they live in Chicago and work at Applebees? Live in Moline and are allergic to radishes. Send just enough of "their story" to Oldman at Boobishi@gmail.com. Is their photo on Facebook? Do they have have a website? Think about it. Someone is coming to mind right now aren't they... a frat brother, that hippy chick that still visits Yazgers Farm every year. Maybe you want to poke fun at your uncles barbie collection. Maybe your friend is a UFC Wannabe. How about taking a shot at your best Friends "Ewok" Tattoo. Yes you heard me an "Ewok" Tattoo.

Consider it a Mission.I don't need anyones social security number or a mom's maiden name. I just need enough "intell" to FREAK your friend. Of course I can't do everyone but if you get me info by Thursday on your person of interest you might just get to "Freak A Friend Friday".

News Flash: I have just been contacted by a college student who has a room mate that sings Gilbert and Sullivan songs. That could be hard to top.

Sensei OyYadda

An evening with Taika Oyata

Not long ago I received an invitation from Kyoshi Greg Lindquist to meet and spend and evening training with Taika Oyata. Greg has been training with him for 39 years. Greg has recently relocated his dojo after a fire in an adjacent building caused the closing of his previous dojo. His dojo is in Overland Park, Kansas. You may not think of O.P. as a hotbed of MA activity but within a mile you can find 4 schools teaching Iaido, Chen Tai Chi, Chung Do Kwan, and Crawfords American Ju Jitsu. Greg wife also teaches Chinese arts. The evening was an opportunity for a small group of people to get together and see the new space and train with Taika Oyata. After a few minutes of greetings an a tour of the dojo we were ready to begin. Someone asked Mr.Lindquist what we would be doing and he repiled whatever was in Mr Oyata's head.





Here you can see two views of the main training area. There are three rooms in total. The floors in the main training area are carpeted with about an inch and a half of padding underneath them.




At the age of 80 mr. Oyata is still vigorous and filled with enthusiasm. He smiled and even chuckled frequently. I personally had to work very hard to understand him. Mr. Lindquist helped clarify any points I misunderstood.He corrected me frequently and I was the first to be used for instructional purposes. At one point of the evening he said to me. "I not hurt you". He then demonstrated a movement from NaiHanchi. It was effective and instructional but in no way brutal. His approach that evening was not like some demonstrations of the past.
If I had to choose one word to describe the evening I would say "Technical". One other thing I caught this evening was Oyata's use of the words "Basic" and "Foundational" he would say "Is a not basic! is a foundation!".

After we finished Mr. Lindquist and Mr. Oyata took a few minutes to clarify a couple points.He also talked about "Shu" and "Jitsu" and their meanings. At one point Oyata pantomimed a conflict with an assailant. He stressed de escalation. He said "The meaning of a martial arts is a NO TALK. Is a I want no problem. Okinawan (are) like that". It was also clear that he also meant the attacker, because of "Shu" (being hidden) should never know what you are capable of or if neccesary what hit him.

Official International Oldman Affiliate Program

Applications are now being accepted for the "Official International Oldman Affiliate Program". Inquiries may be sent to Boobishi@gmail.com in care of the Personnel Director Harry Pauz. Acknowledged affiliates will receive a laminated photo I.D. badge and emails with additional unpublished cartoons unavailable to non affiliates. If there was such a thing as "The Secret Squad", which there is not, the application and associated fee would could cover membership in that organization which is said not to exist.